Virus software for a Mac

superscaper

Karl.H wrote: »

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.

But again nothing unique to macs. Like I said earlier most people's choices aren't because of security. I use windows because it's the most convenient and productive for work and is a much better gaming machine. If I were to want a computer mainly for its security and ease of use then I'd choose something better than a pc and mac. Sure I'd love a mac but it's certainly not the best at security and not the most what I'd call "advanced" (whatever that's meant to define) os either.

Karl.H_2

superscaper wrote: »

But again nothing unique to macs.

I don't know if you are interested in Apple Macs, but if you take a look at their new O.S. you'll see what I mean - here. When I am looking for a system, I look for ease-of-use, reliability, well-made, well thought out, additional applications, good looks, and secure. It's worth pointing out that Mac OS X is cheaper than Windows, and in my opinion is much, much better. My MacBook has never crashed, or has had any problems; it simply "just works".

I will leave you with this point: Mac OS X is built for the machines that run it.

P.s. Apple Macs can run Windows using 'Boot Camp'.

superscaper

Karl.H wrote: »

I don't know if you are interested in Apple Macs,

I guess some of my posts are invisible. I'd love one but I can't afford a mac, pcs are much cheaper through upgrading. You've not really mentioned anything that differs from riscos (Apple even copied some of it's OS features) except riscos is far more secure. As for mac os being cheaper that doesn't help when the machine is too expensive and linux is free. Vulnerabilities are being plugged all the time with osx.

Risc OS is built for the machines that run it.

I will see your Mac fanboy status and raise you by one Riscos fanboy!

mrscruffy

With a danger of returning this post back ot the original topic I have a MacBook Pro and in order to appease the IT department at work they installed Symantic AV software.

Runs fine and no noticable performance issues. I should note that no virus has been found (but then I don't spent all day visiting "those websites" or clicking on dodgy emails!)

Returning back to the Mas vs. PC debate why does the previous poster think using a Mac more secure when using online banking? OK, you may not have a key logger installed but ssurely you are just as likely to be pished or succumb to a man-in-the-middle attack regardless of OS?

superscaper

mrscruffy wrote: »

Returning back to the Mas vs. PC debate why does the previous poster think using a Mac more secure when using online banking? OK, you may not have a key logger installed but ssurely you are just as likely to be pished or succumb to a man-in-the-middle attack regardless of OS?

Phishing is down to the individual's common sense and how likely that is is dependant on the intelligence of the person. I've yet to see a completely convincing phishing email that I'd fall for but it's much more likely to happen than a "man in the middle". I've not heard of a single case of a breach in a banks security because of online banking being intercepted. I think from a purely technical point of view (phishing is social engineering, not technical) you're far more likely to succumb to a keylogger (happens all the time) than the bank's ssl systems being intercepted and broken (not heard of it happening once). So if you want to talk about computer security in terms of online banking then surely it's all about the "keylogger" aspect?

Moneymaker

Originally Posted by Moneymaker
There simply aren't any Mac viruses available for OSX.

Conor wrote: »

Rubbish.

So point me to *any* site where I can download a virus that will screw up MacOS10.4 ? Bear in mind that a virus is self-installing and self-propagating. Anything else is a "trojan" that requires me to do something stupid (like installing it manually).

superscaper

Bit off topic but recently learned that the first ever wild desktop computer virus was on an Apple which I thought was quite interesting.

superscaper

Moneymaker wrote: »

So point me to *any* site where I can download a virus that will screw up MacOS10.4 ?

If the question was "So point me to *any* site where I can download a virus that will screw up Windows XP?" I still wouldn't be able to give an answer personally. But to say there aren't any viruses because you haven't found them sounds a lot like Russell's Teapot. Just because you can't find something you can't conclusively state it doesn't exist. Unlikely yes but not impossible.

superscaper

I thought Leap.A was a virus, sophos say it definitely is not a trojan but a virus/worm. And I've read one account of it infecting a network of macs in the wild.

Scrilla

HMS wrote: »

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?

Topics like this invariably spark debates on macs vs PC's.

I would like to give you a quick summary:
-Virii on Macs is nothing to worry about. It's a very rare thing and you're more likely to win the jackpot on the lottery twice in two weeks than to catch a mac virus within the present mac climate
-The single best reason for installing anti-virus software on your Mac is to prevent inadvertently passing malware along to users of Windows systems.

Good options:
Clamvax - it's free
Norton Antivirus - good IF you turn off it's silly passive scan all the time crap which bogs down your system.

For security:
-use the built in firewall of the OS
-Look up a program called Little Snitch which will go some lengths to stop unauthorised connections in and out of your computer. No point in using things like NetBarrier.

Apologies for not providing links, but I do hope that helps.