Does a macbook need an anti virus

securityguy

Mr_Toad wrote: »

The problem was home users simply didn't like it, being asked repeatedly if they were sure they wanted to do whatever or asked to type in their password was seen as an intrusion and an annoyance so they turned it off.

Not one of the PCs I support for friends has user or access control turned on and every user has admin rights. I've tried to explain that this is why they get the problems they do but they won't listen. :mad:

Whereas on a Mac, you have to type the password in order to perform a privileged operation and no-one complains. It's an interesting reflection on the different demographics, I think.

prowla

securityguy wrote: »

Whereas on a Mac, you have to type the password in order to perform a privileged operation and no-one complains. It's an interesting reflection on the different demographics, I think.

It's recommended to do that in Windows too (and it's what I've got set up on this Windows machine I'm using).

Mr_Toad

prowla wrote: »

It's recommended to do that in Windows too (and it's what I've got set up on this Windows machine I'm using).

Exactly. I wish everyone did it but for most people it's one of the first things they turn off.

The irony is that the reason they turn it off is because Windows keeps asking for their password to install something or other. Instead of cursing Windows for wanting the password all the time I'd be asking exactly what it was that is trying to install itself on my system!

danielhermann

As is clear from the discussion above, a Mac is less likely to be infected than a Windows, but do you want to be caught on a wrong foot. Better safe than sorry. As far as a free product is concerned, ultimately trial offers are for a limited period only. Better pay for a version that can save you from internet related viruses too.

wba31

danielhermann wrote: »

As is clear from the discussion above, a Mac is less likely to be infected than a Windows, but do you want to be caught on a wrong foot. Better safe than sorry. As far as a free product is concerned, ultimately trial offers are for a limited period only. Better pay for a version that can save you from internet related viruses too.

or as already discussed, a free program like iAntivirus or Sophos that are free and keep themselves updated... this is moneySAVINGexpert after all...

InsideInsurance

Macs are predominately protected by obscurity rather than strictly being a more secure platform.

It is advisable to have antivirus running but not as urgent as it is with Windows. Of cause if your network has Windows machines on it as well as your mac then the priority goes up as whilst you may not be infected it can still pass infections on and some protection is lower for items originating within the local network.

I use Kaspersky which is free by virtue of having a Barclays current account with online banking

wba31

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Macs are predominately protected by obscurity rather than strictly being a more secure platform.

It is advisable to have antivirus running but not as urgent as it is with Windows. Of cause if your network has Windows machines on it as well as your mac then the priority goes up as whilst you may not be infected it can still pass infections on and some protection is lower for items originating within the local network.

I use Kaspersky which is free by virtue of having a Barclays current account with online banking

Having read this i seem to recall that Natwest offer something similar...