Recommend anti virus software for Apple Mac

D

Deirdra

Registered User
Messages
392
Can anyone recommend anti virus / firewall software for the Mac? Preferably free?

thanks very much
 
I have been using Macs for over 15 years and never had a virus problem. People keep warning about them but that might be just a way to get us to buy anti-virus software - that does not mean that you might not pass a virus by email attachment to a Windows computer.
Your ISP should be providing a firewall or you can go to system preferences and 'Sharing' to set your security preferences.
 
Use ClamXav from here - http://www.clamxav.com/ - its freeware and provides almost daily updates to the virus definitions. You can set it to monitor mail and download folders.

I have no connection with them, just a happy user.

In my experience the ISP's do a very poor job of providing protection from malware of all kinds.

You do in fact have your own firewall installed (assuming OS X is running).

Under OS X, to provide further protection for your self as Goll has suggested, go to System Preferences>Sharing>Firewall and click on the "ADVANCED..." button. Click on each of the three options you are presented with to enable Logging, Stealth Mode and Block UDP Traffic.

Happy Mac-ing!.
 
Unless you suspect having some sort of virus, I wouldn't bother with antivirus SW. Been using Macs for over 10 years and not once have I had a virus or other sort of malware.
 
Yeah we have worked on macs for the last 12 years and never had hassle with viruses at all.
 
Just because you've "never" had an issue with a virus doesn't mean that you won't or that you might pass one on inadvertently in a file

Why would your ISP firewall you from a virus? That's not their problem. It's yours.
 

how does that answer or helps the OP?

A security researcher won 10 grand to crack into a browser unpatched vulnerability. Big worry. Honest.
 
wavejumper said:
how does that answer or helps the OP?

A security researcher won 10 grand to crack into a browser unpatched vulnerability. Big worry. Honest.
Click to expand...
That thread highlighted that while a lot of Mac users believe they have nothing to worry about, vulnerabilities do exist.

The reason that most Mac vulnerabilities never caused problems was due to hackers etc concentrating on Microsoft systems due to the small(er) number of Mac machines out there and not through any great security protection built in.

As Mac sales have boomed over the last couple of years they will be targeted more and users should take steps to ensure a safe system to protect them is in place.

The thread linked above helped highlight that very well IMHO.
 

Exactly, thanks Santana - it's the arrogance & ignorance of (some) Mac users (obviously not the original Poster) that annoys me, perpetuating the myth that Macs are immune from viruses and as a result exposing others to the same risks. For posters to go out of their way to advise NOT to get anti virus software is extraordinary.
 
http://db.tidbits.com/article/9511

an article on anti virus software for mac...just to give another view.. its not arrogance that makes me not put anti virus software on my mac.. it's everyday usage, trying antivirus, researching information, and what I found works for me is not to put on an anti virus..
 

read again the article you linked. they disqualified known issues and hacks. Someone had to specifically design something new to crack into the machines. The first day was OS vulnerabilities and no machine could be hacked.

The 2nd day they allowed for default installed programs and someone designed a specific hack for safari. an unknown new issue specifically designed for this event.

In the grander scheme of things and with years of Mac use I can confidently say to the OP that while it's a very good idea to enable the built in firewall you hardly need to worry about virus checkers, the risks are minuscule and hardly worth considering at the moment.
 
Thanks very much folks, I read through all posts and links. 'Upped' the firewall as suggested and changed to a more secure email account. Definitely will keep an eye on future developments as I think Mac users will come under threat in the future.

Cheers!
 
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