Virus Software for OS X?

[dstranathan]

Should I get Norton 9 or Virex?


I need 50 copies for OS 9 and X, and I can't decide which one to buy. Any comments?

Can I get Virex for OS 9?

How can I tell when my current NAV 7 and 8 definition subscriptions expire?

[Addison]

Why would you want anti-virus software for OSX?

[dstranathan]

Originally posted by Addison
Why would you want anti-virus software for OSX?

Because my PC-centric (and justifiably paranoid) corporate powers-that-be MANDATE anti-virus software as part of their IT fault-tolerence policies. Why else? Makes sense, afterall, someday SOMEBODY is gonna write viri for OS X. I don't wanna be the guy to clean up after all 50 of my Macs get clobbered...

[Brad]

Wow, what ignorance. The IT guys, not you. ;)

Virex will do fine for OSX. Just don't get Norton. I don't know about 9.

The definitions don't really "expire". They do, however, have a downloadable update on a monthly basis.

[Aquatic]

I've read about issues with Virex as well. Have you explained to the staff that there are 0 virii for OS X, and not only that but if there were, what would they do on a UNIX system? They wouldn't have permissions most likely, in a lab setting, since you're not logged in as root.

[NETROMac]

AV9 recognizes windows virii as well, something that can stop you from sending windows virii off to wintel users. Does virex have this ability?

[Brad]

The only problem with Virex on OSX is that the developers stole from the fink project and the files it installs in /sw can screw up stuff you've installed with fink.

I don't think an update has been released to fix *cough*cover up*cough* McAffee's mistake.

I agree with Aquatic, though, about pushing the "0 existing viruses" ballot and mentioning Mac OS X's Unix heritage. Good luck. Hopefully they'll see the light and won't waste a bucketload of money that could probably be put to MUCH better use than a utility that sits and scans for nothing.

[Brad]

Originally posted by NETROMac
AV9 recognizes windows virii as well, something that can stop you from sending windows virii off to wintel users. Does virex have this ability? Yes.

[tommy_thompson]

Please...do yourself a favor..stay away from norton! Causes all kinds of havoc! Virex for me, so far, has been ok. The intial scan of the whole system takes for bloody ever. But once you get that done, it does it's job well. I don't use fink, so I cannot comment on the aspect of it messing up virex. So if you don't use fink, then you should be fine!

[Mr Beardsley]

I thought they fixed the problem with fink. It was the update that also gave you the ability to update Virex without having to download separate virus definition files.

[Brad]

Ah yes, I hadn't used Virex since 7.2 was released (even then, just for testing).

It looks like the 7.2.1 patch fixed the conflict with fink.

[NETROMac]

I haven't used any virus protection software with OS X yet. I have one question though. Have anybody tried AV9 and had any problems. The reason I ask this is because my DSL provider is letting me have AV for free. Should I give it a try, or should I get virex instead???

[ast3r3x]

man how long can OS X go without a virus...its been what, how many years? haha its interesting to see old windows virus' still work with XP


i think MS lies, i think XP has the same underlying DOS as all the other ones, they just try to hide this

[Aquatic]

I thought AI was never going to "stoop" to having avatars brad...:D

If you have to get a "virus" utility have them buy TechTool Pro 4, I believe it does that as well as other useful things.