Which Mac Book?

mrochester

MacDefender seeing as we are using our own definitions.

MacDefender is adware, not a virus. A virus needs to be able to self-replicate to be a virus.

So is malware protection on every other platform.

Correct

Thats hardly fair, its helped a lot on windows pcs. The difference is windows users don't deny and ignore the problem like the majority of mac users. Saying "theres no mac viruses" is not helpful because its not about that now.

Well, there aren't any viruses for the Mac. There is, however, adware and spyware, and for that, users need to be educated to be vigilant. This is no different to users needing to be educated and vigilant on any other platform. If you didn't request a bit of software that's trying to install or don't trust the source, DON'T INSTALL IT!

wba31

iAntivirus is a free virus checker i have running on both my macbooks at home. My first one (white plastic entry level macbook) is 4 years old in Octobor and still runs a dream - this is what my wife uses.
I bought a 13" macbook pro (2.4 ghz it was at the time) 2 years ago, and it still runs like it's brand new. I had never done much video editing or photo editing when i bought them, but iMovie and iPhoto are so easy to use, i started to have a play and now i have no fear in having a go.

I would recommend (if you know one) taking a student with you for the discount, I went with my cousin to buy my pro, and saved a fair amount of £££ off the price. Also got discount off iWork (Apple's office package, reviews lean towards Microsoft Office For Mac but Apple's is cheaper and looks great) and got Apple Care (cover your mac for additional 2 years after your standard 12 months) for £50 instead of £200...

PM

Yeh Thanks guys, I went for the 15" with educational discount. Decided against the air due to my careless approach with my iphone I think MB Pro is best.

Ta

PM

wba31 wrote: »

iAntivirus is a free virus checker i have running on both my macbooks at home. My first one (white plastic entry level macbook) is 4 years old in Octobor and still runs a dream - this is what my wife uses.
I bought a 13" macbook pro (2.4 ghz it was at the time) 2 years ago, and it still runs like it's brand new. I had never done much video editing or photo editing when i bought them, but iMovie and iPhoto are so easy to use, i started to have a play and now i have no fear in having a go.

I would recommend (if you know one) taking a student with you for the discount, I went with my cousin to buy my pro, and saved a fair amount of £££ off the price. Also got discount off iWork (Apple's office package, reviews lean towards Microsoft Office For Mac but Apple's is cheaper and looks great) and got Apple Care (cover your mac for additional 2 years after your standard 12 months) for £50 instead of £200...

I didn't bother with extra two years apple care for 60-80. It includes three year Warranty and 1 years apple care support as it is.

wba31

PM wrote: »

Yeh Thanks guys, I went for the 15" with educational discount. Decided against the air due to my careless approach with my iphone I think MB Pro is best.

Ta

If your budget allows I recommend getting a magazine subscription to Mac Format too (you can pick up a copy in WH Smiths or a large Supermarket if you want to have a look before you subscribe).
Its a great magazine with lots of news and reviews and "how to" guides, worth a look if you would additional help and tips in using your new mac...

23n1th

mrochester wrote: »

MacDefender is adware, not a virus. A virus needs to be able to self-replicate to be a virus.

MacDefender is a trojan horse pretending to be security software, and can be called scareware. Its not adware. You seem to be missing the point though as this type of malware is worse that your traditional virus.

Well, there aren't any viruses for the Mac. There is, however, adware and spyware, and for that, users need to be educated to be vigilant. This is no different to users needing to be educated and vigilant on any other platform. If you didn't request a bit of software that's trying to install or don't trust the source, DON'T INSTALL IT!

Thats fine then, lets say no viruses, but there is trojans, worms, scareware, adware, rootkits etc etc. Most of these are worse than traditional viruses, hey but at least osx doesn't have viruses huh. And you're still ignoring the fact macdefender doesn't need to be installed on some systems, and the various other ways of getting infected.

mrochester

Thats fine then, lets say no viruses, but there is trojans, worms, scareware, adware, rootkits etc etc. Most of these are worse than traditional viruses, hey but at least osx doesn't have viruses huh. And you're still ignoring the fact macdefender doesn't need to be installed on some systems, and the various other ways of getting infected.

I think you're entirely missing the point. You were claiming Macs can get viruses. This is not the case.

MacDefender always needs to be installed. The issue you're referring to is people who leave the 'open "safe" files after downloading' option switched on, which simply highlights their lack of vigilance. However, said vigilance comes from education, of which there is relatively little, or what already exists isn't very effective.

23n1th

mrochester wrote: »

I think you're entirely missing the point. You were claiming Macs can get viruses. This is not the case.

That's a disagreement on the definition of what a virus is, a definition which for you changed after you read up about them.

First it wasn't a virus because it couldn't self install (which make the majority of the windows malware not viruses either), which macdefender can do whether you like it or not; which has nothing to do with being a virus. Now its if they can self replicate. Make up your mind.

MacDefender always needs to be installed. The issue you're referring to is people who leave the 'open "safe" files after downloading' option switched on, which simply highlights their lack of vigilance. However, said vigilance comes from education, of which there is relatively little, or what already exists isn't very effective.

All malware always needs to be installed on every platform, whether is capable of doing it on its own as macdefender can, or tricking the user into installing it themselves (the way nearly all existing malware spreads on all platforms).

I find it amusing that you continue to argue that osx doesn't have traditional viruses as some sort of good point when the malware that does exist is far worse.

mrochester

23n1th wrote: »

That's a disagreement on the definition of what a virus is, a definition which for you changed after you read up about them.

First it wasn't a virus because it couldn't self install (which make the majority of the windows malware not viruses either), which macdefender can do whether you like it or not; which has nothing to do with being a virus. Now its if they can self replicate. Make up your mind.



All malware always needs to be installed on every platform, whether is capable of doing it on its own as macdefender can, or tricking the user into installing it themselves (the way nearly all existing malware spreads on all platforms).

I find it amusing that you continue to argue that osx doesn't have traditional viruses as some sort of good point when the malware that does exist is far worse.

Well it is a good point! It's better to have no viruses and malware than it is to have viruses and malware! Are you saying you'd prefer to have both?!

Anyway, this is getting ridiculously off topic. I think we have established that the best course of action to keep your computer malware free is to be vigilant. That applies to everyone, regardless of what sort of computer they use.

23n1th

mrochester wrote: »

Well it is a good point! It's better to have no viruses and malware than it is to have viruses and malware! Are you saying you'd prefer to have both?!

What I'm saying is that traditional viruses are besides the point, malware evolution has seen to that, no one is now going to waste their time creating a traditional viruses when theres money to be made. Having something self replicate on your hard drive is annoying, every more so if its destroyed the OS. Malware in the guise of MacDefender is far worse due to it stealing your money etc etc, plus its able to evolve to avoid detection.

Therefore when you say macs dont have viruses just malware its like say it doesn't have a cold just cancer.

Anyway, this is getting ridiculously off topic. I think we have established that the best course of action to keep your computer malware free is to be vigilant. That applies to everyone, regardless of what sort of computer they use.

That I can agree with.