Do I need spyware?

sdj25

Chippy_Minton wrote:

We're talking about spyware here, not viruses. Spyware comes from visiting web sites and installing applications, so I'll be interested to know if Macs are immune. As for viruses, hopefully MS have learned their lesson and have made Vista more secure out of the box.

A large portion of the time, Spyware is instaleld through DLLs and ActiveX controls, and so (for the time being at least) the Mac doesn't really need to concern itself at all about this. Yes obviously it's never going to be clean sailing, but it's a hell of a lot harder to install something onto a mac without realising it. Seen as the whole application is installed in one place - and it can also be easily uninstalled by deleting that *.app file. Problem solved.

You can also bet every penny in your pocket that the Apple Mac, is far more secure than a Windows machine. Regardless of the market share, the mac is built on a much more stable system.

movieman

Indeed. Windows is insecure by design, because Microsoft have historically valued convenience over security... now we're paying the price.

You can't fix that without making significant changes to the basic design of Windows and Internet Explorer. ActiveX in particular is a security nightmare and should never have even been considered, let alone shipped to Joe Sixpack.

superscaper

movieman wrote:

Yes they are.

For one thing, you don't have to run as an Administrator on a Mac to do... well, just about anything. That alone is a huge security boost as a security hole in your web browser can't replace system files with hacked versions.

Well considering the point of this thread, how prevalent is mac spyware compared to pcs in terms of hard numbers in deviation from statistical market share? I've so far not seen actual evidence one way or another. So I'll concede my statement to a point that I may not be right but I don't see anything to say I'm not right apart from people's opinions. But anyone can post a link to certain views on apple security without it being overwhelmingly definitive. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Apple_more_secure_than_Windows_NT_/0,130061744,339271555,00.htm

sdj25

superscaper - thanks for the article! I don't really agree with what the guy was saying mind you, check out this reply. It makes some good points, albeit in a highly funny / typo'd way:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/forums/0,139029293,339271555-320070340o,00.htm

superscaper

I think it's one of those things that unless Apple became by far the majority market share no-one could say whether virus writers would target them more and find different exploits or not. I used to be an acorn user and I loved RISC OS which in my opinion was far superior to windows and mac os but I migrated to windows purely for the convenience softwarewise (availability and compatibility) and for the lower cost hardwarewise. As for those two points that affected my decision quite a long while ago I don't think either would be different today. I'd rather be more savvy about my security and faff with all the anti spyware than compromise on my more important deciding factors

gaming_guy

when the free trial of bullguard comes to an end uninstall it and then use the programs suggested in this thread, but remeber to not use 2 antivirus programs at the same time as i have heard one will conflict with the other

kai666

gaming_guy wrote:

when the free trial of bullguard comes to an end uninstall it and then use the programs suggested in this thread, but remeber to not use 2 antivirus programs at the same time as i have heard one will conflict with the other

I would agree about the different antispyware programmes. Spyware defender is also very good.

Though I'm not sure about Mcafee. Just because they are in all the highstreet shops doesn't necessarily mean they are the best. I would suggest you download a few free trials are see what you like.

I found f-secure 6 very good, but f-secure 7 slowed my computer down so much that it took up to 10 seconds to open a window. But others have found f-secure 7 fine. It seems that they react differently on different computers

And it's correct don't have more than 1 firewall/anti-vrus they will conflict and not be as effective. Doesn't matter so much with antispyware there as they are not running all the time, just when you want them to

superscaper

kai666 wrote:

Though I'm not sure about Mcafee. Just because they are in all the highstreet shops doesn't necessarily mean they are the best.

I'm still unsure whether I should stick with my mcafee enterprise or change to AVG or Avast. Since none of them cost me anything it is all down to how good they are.

ckerrd

"Why not getyour self an Apple Mac?"

Not a helpful answer to the OP who was asking if they needed some protection for their new computer.
Just opened up the Mac versus non Mac argument.
(Both of course being PCs if we want to venture into real pedant territory):D

Mc4ndy

A good place to find links to all the best free stuff and quick easy downloads.

https://www.filehippo.com

for your questions
AVG - Rates top for virus, above Avast really.
Adaware and Spybot

It's quite easy to run a complete pc on free software, unless you need specialist stuff.