Virus software for a Mac

HMS

Hi All

Just been reading some posts about the antivirus software for PCs and it clogging up the PCs power. What are the thoughts on antivirus and security software for Macs? Which one to go for?

Thanks

Ashok_2

Don't really know.. but from a google search:
http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/tp/aamacvir.htm
http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread21221.html

Strangled

I don't have any on my Macbook, or on any other Macs in the house. The only reason I can see for putting anti-virus on is if, I partition my drive and put Windoze XP/Vista on it..........which I won't :-)

In theory, why put a kia engine in an Audi :rotfl:

Moneymaker

There simply aren't any Mac viruses available for OSX. (Go see if you can find one). There have been a few "proof of concept" trojans but nobody seems interested in writing and disseminating a Mac virus for real. So there's no point in having antivirus software (although it does exist) because it will simply use up valuable CPU cycles looking for something that isn't there.

When a real Mac virus appears and starts to spread then I guess we'll have to do something. But it's going to be a long time before we can boast "114,000 viruses" like Windows (allegedly) has available.

moomintroll_3

As others have said, you don't really need one. However I run one myself to avoid passing along any infected files / documents to my windows PC owning friends. Having owned a PC and having been infected to the point where I had to blow the system away and start again (albeit in Windows98 days) I wouldn't want to be responsible for passing an infection along.

The one I use is ClamXav. I don't notice any difference in performance with it on a powermac G4 1.2GHz w/ 1.5GB ram in OSX.4.9.

homer_j_3

I have run macs for last 4 or 5 years and I have never needed to have any software for this

superscaper

Moneymaker wrote: »

There simply aren't any Mac viruses available for OSX. (Go see if you can find one). There have been a few "proof of concept" trojans but nobody seems interested in writing and disseminating a Mac virus for real.

I haven't seen anything that proves the mac is inherently more secure. Just some assumption that the number of viruses/virus writers would be proportional to computer market share if it wasn't more secure than wintel machines. But I don't personally find that convincing enough and it's a very weak/flawed assumption not based on anything real. Personally I would like a mac in addition to my pc, as well as a linux machine and a riscos machine (out of sentimentality). The reasons for having every machine are varied, but not once is security an overriding factor for any for me and I don't think number of viruses available should have a high priority in choice of machine. If it was then obviously my desired riscos machine would be the number one main machine to go for. Everything else is a compromise depending on what aspects people need most. Although Apple don't get their vulnerabilities shouted about by the media, they do have them (otherwise there'd be no proof of concept viruses). I've read OSX has had 100 vulnerabilities patched so far this year.

Conor_3

Moneymaker wrote: »

There simply aren't any Mac viruses available for OSX.

Rubbish.

http://www.macvirus.org/


Just last week, someone who wrote one just because people claimed that it couldn't be done, received death threats.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/19/mac_worm_farce/

Karl.H_2

Moneymaker wrote: »

nobody seems interested in writing and disseminating a Mac virus for real.

NB: I would like to change 'secure' with "advanced". Thanks.

Mac OS X is the most secure operating system in the world. It's not the case that people are simply 'not interested' in writing viruses, the problem for them is that they cannot. This is because an application cannot change any important system files without the administrators' password. Even with the password, essential system files are still protected. With Microsoft Windows, you can change any system file you so wish, that includes registry data. I know this because I use to develop software for Windows (as a hobby), and with a cheap basic programming language - that anyone can learn - you can achieve a simple, but affective, virus. The fact is, Windows is popular because developers can add toolbars, fancy buttons, and change files all over your computer - some developers may change the look of your system (e.g. Packard Bell - the colour of the toolbars, etc.). Take Dell for example, they customise the boot screen!

superscaper

Karl.H wrote: »

Mac OS X is the most secure operating system in the world.

It may be more secure than windows I'd hardly class that as meaning the "most secure" OS. I'd already posted that I'd consider riscos to be more secure than mac os and that's not just because of the lack of viruses. If you'd made a reasoned argument without resorting to hyperbole then it might make more sense.

I might as well make a bold statement that riscos is the most secure OS in the world. I doubt it is and it's a meaningless inexact statement anyway. At least it's MORE secure than OSX.

Karl.H_2

superscaper wrote: »

It may be more secure than windows I'd hardly class that as meaning the "most secure" OS. I'd already posted that I'd consider riscos to be more secure than mac os and that's not just because of the lack of viruses. If you'd made a reasoned argument without resorting to hyperbole then it might make more sense.

I might as well make a bold statement that riscos is the most secure OS in the world. I doubt it is and it's a meaningless inexact statement anyway. At least it's MORE secure than OSX.

Okay, ignoring that statement please criticise the rest of my post.
I would rather bank on-line using my MacBook than any Windows computer. And I can install programs with the confidence that they will not change unwanted settings on my computer.