1st. It is an old article as indicated at the top of the page "Old Article: 4454" that has been recently modified (likely to mention the latest versions of the AV software). I recall reading that article ages ago (when I say ages I mean years).
2nd. As I understand it, Apple is recommending the use of different AV programs so not everybody ends up using the same AV and not that users should use several AVs on the same machine.
So could this mean that Apple has started receiving $$$ from Mcafee/Norton to start F*cking with the Mac users now. The only people that benefit from these viruses are these scumbags selling virus scams
Last summer Macworld, which of course is supported by advertising from software manufacturers, including Norton, McAfee, etc., gave 4 1/2 stars to Norton 11:
Norton AntiVirus 11 is the obvious choice for protecting your Mac in a mixed Windows-Mac environment, and a great option for anyone who is looking for a ?set it and forget it? antivirus program. Upgrading from previous versions is worth the price for the scanning improvements alone.
They have yet to tell their staff. I was in the Apple Store 2 days ago and a lady asked for an AV program for her Mac and the shop assistant told her not to bother.
There hasn't been a real virus alert yet, I wouldn't worry. Apple just doesn't wanna get sued if someone tried to make the case. Its all for Legal Stuff, nothing official.
There is also Clam AV as an alternative. It is open source and there is a MacOS X GUI available, though it is still using the old brushed metal appearance.
For those of you happy with the command line, you can get through MacPorts and Fink.
Until a real Mac virus is found, this helps the ecosystem and also helps make sure you don't have PC viruses. While these viruses may not affect the Mac, your Mac can turn into a carrier if you are plugging into various networks. Essentially you don't get harmed but the networks you connect with might.
Until viruses start being confirmed as going around, I'm not going to drop a dime on antivirus software which I think is a conspiracy.
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target. I'm not saying I'm going to load down my machine with multiple programs like some Windows' user friends of mine, still waiting for a virus to appear and then deal with it? It's better to a have some reassurance with one of the quoted products in the article (or some other) and not concern yourself.
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target.
While I agree that having a higher marketshare makes you more of a target, I disagree with the logic that OS X has been targeted like Windows because of a lower marketshare. For starters, pre-OS X Macs had less marketshare but more viruses. Also, since Macs are renowned for being so overpriced, wouldn't it behooved nefarious SW developers to target machines that are typically bought by people with more money and who apparently are so arrogant that they brag about not needing virus protection software?
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target. ...
If you have used Macs since the beginning, then viruses were most certainly an issue. There were something like 26 Mac-specific viruses. They were not the diabolic creations that Windows viruses became, but they were most certainly a pain to deal with if you did not have protection.
As for your acceptance of the marketshare excuse for virus infections, there is absolutely no evidence that marketshare has anything to do with the vulnerability of an operating system to viruses. In fact, there are contrary examples.
Not that I disagree with that definition, but can we all stop using wikipedia as a source? I mean, there's absolutely no way to verify that the content was written by someone with any knowledge!
1) Wikipedia articles have citations that you can follow up on.
2) It's impossible to verify that any content was created by a knowledgeable person. It is the user's responsibility to check multiple sources and decide for himself which ones, if any, are reputable.
Anyway, the sky is not falling and it likely will never be. All Apple has to do is keep the number of services with root privileges down to a minimum, and keep those services exploit free.
I back up my home folder every day and my entire computer every week ... I think this is more important than anti-virus software because it protects not only against viruses but against theft, drops, spills, hardware failure, and user error.
I manage the equipment for a web development company and I install Norton Anti-Virus on their Macs mainly as a CYA measure. After ten years I've never seen a virus there, but I've received plenty of trouble tickets about the AV software slowing the computers down, displaying strange errors, or otherwise disrupting peoples' work.
On my own Macs, I don't run any AV software and I don't expect to unless things change significantly.
Seems obvious to me that Apple is doing this for 2 reasons, both of them legal in nature.
First, it encourages Mac users not to be instrumental in inadvertently passing along Windows viruses in attachments, which does happen. And secondly, to reduce any legal liability Apple's ads will have opened them up to once an actual OS X virus does surface and damages the data of some unsuspecting users.
You don't have to think very hard to come up with scenarios where either of those situations could lead to large numbers of users trying to sue Apple.
Does this have anything to do with the fact that Macs can run Windows now?
I will never have Windows on my Mac - I assume that makes me safer from viruses?
If you run Windows on a Mac, either by booting directly into Windows or running it on top of the Mac OS via Parallels or Fusion, the worst that can happen is that your Windows environment could be infected. My understanding is that the Windows environment is naturally quarantined.
For my purposes, Parallels works great because my entire Windows installation is contained in a single Mac file that I can back up along with the rest of my files. If I should happen to get a virus in Windows, I can just restore yesterday's backup and it's gone. In fact, I think that avoiding the whole Windows reinstallation ordeal might be the best thing about running it on a Mac.
As for your acceptance of the marketshare excuse for virus infections, there is absolutely no evidence that marketshare has anything to do with the vulnerability of an operating system to viruses. In fact, there are contrary examples.
Absolutely correct! In fact, I got so tired of repeating the evidence against the market share virus argument that I gathered it all in one long article to point people to when this annoying assumption comes up. (Link here, assuming nobody minds me pimping my blog like that. )
HotWheels sez: "The age of virus free Mac is coming to an end. And I cant believe that the workers at Apple store still tell potential customer that the Mac is virus free."
The Mac remains 100% virus free. So bite me.
However, the Mac is not 100% malware free. If you don't know the distinction between 'malware' and 'virus' then go do some homework and look it up. Wikipedia is your pal.
And what big nasty evil, 'the end is nigh!' malware does the Mac have? I keep track of this stuff over at my Mac-Security blog:
1) Trojan OSX.RSPlug.A (which has a couple variants and is inert on Mac OS X Server)
2) Trojan OSX.Lamzev.A
There are two FREEWARE options for killing off these TWO (and only two) malware:
A) ClamXav
PC Tools iAnti-Virus
The makers of MacScan also provide a FREEWARE detection and removal tool for OSX.RSPlug.A.
Both of these Trojans rely on wetware error for their installation, aka 'social engineering'. The safe thing to do is work in a 'Standard' account in Mac OS X (NOT an Administrator account) and never install anything you have not verified to be legitimate software.
That's TWO (2) malware for Mac, the end. Run and hide. Take cover. We're under attack. We're all gonna die. zzzzzzz
Many people and businesses run "mixed" networks, with Macs and Windows PCs under the same roof, transferring files back and forth. Even if a virus doesn't affect the Mac, it can still be a carrier.
Having said that, I've never thought about putting AV software on my Mac. I wouldn't put it on a Linux box, either. Hell, I barely think about AV software on Windows.
Comments
2nd. As I understand it, Apple is recommending the use of different AV programs so not everybody ends up using the same AV and not that users should use several AVs on the same machine.
So could this mean that Apple has started receiving $$$ from Mcafee/Norton to start F*cking with the Mac users now. The only people that benefit from these viruses are these scumbags selling virus scams
Last summer Macworld, which of course is supported by advertising from software manufacturers, including Norton, McAfee, etc., gave 4 1/2 stars to Norton 11:
Norton AntiVirus 11 is the obvious choice for protecting your Mac in a mixed Windows-Mac environment, and a great option for anyone who is looking for a ?set it and forget it? antivirus program. Upgrading from previous versions is worth the price for the scanning improvements alone.
Until viruses start being confirmed as going around, I'm not going to drop a dime on antivirus software which I think is a conspiracy.
The only virus on the Mac is software from Symantec. It takes up 20-30% of your CPU and is vulnerable to hacks.
http://www.clamxav.com/
For those of you happy with the command line, you can get through MacPorts and Fink.
Until a real Mac virus is found, this helps the ecosystem and also helps make sure you don't have PC viruses. While these viruses may not affect the Mac, your Mac can turn into a carrier if you are plugging into various networks. Essentially you don't get harmed but the networks you connect with might.
Until viruses start being confirmed as going around, I'm not going to drop a dime on antivirus software which I think is a conspiracy.
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target. I'm not saying I'm going to load down my machine with multiple programs like some Windows' user friends of mine, still waiting for a virus to appear and then deal with it? It's better to a have some reassurance with one of the quoted products in the article (or some other) and not concern yourself.
That's it, I'm done with Apple, I'm going to switch to Mapple.
They ran the gamut of Apple jokes in that Simpsons episode. Here is the clip...
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target.
While I agree that having a higher marketshare makes you more of a target, I disagree with the logic that OS X has been targeted like Windows because of a lower marketshare. For starters, pre-OS X Macs had less marketshare but more viruses. Also, since Macs are renowned for being so overpriced, wouldn't it behooved nefarious SW developers to target machines that are typically bought by people with more money and who apparently are so arrogant that they brag about not needing virus protection software?
That's it, I'm done with Apple, I'm going to switch to Mapple.
I think that they have MyPhones and MyPods on sale at the Mapple store. If you see Steve Mobs at the Brainiac bar, say "Hi" for me.
And here's the full version:
http://www.dailymotion.com/legalmal/video/12741542
I will never have Windows on my Mac - I assume that makes me safer from viruses?
I've been using a Mac since it's beginning and I agree viruses have never even been a thought, but as a product gets more popular it becomes a target. ...
If you have used Macs since the beginning, then viruses were most certainly an issue. There were something like 26 Mac-specific viruses. They were not the diabolic creations that Windows viruses became, but they were most certainly a pain to deal with if you did not have protection.
As for your acceptance of the marketshare excuse for virus infections, there is absolutely no evidence that marketshare has anything to do with the vulnerability of an operating system to viruses. In fact, there are contrary examples.
That's because that's about all there is for home use. Sophos is the only other I'm aware of and it's an Enterprise tool....
This one is free and works just fine: http://www.iantivirus.com
Not that I disagree with that definition, but can we all stop using wikipedia as a source? I mean, there's absolutely no way to verify that the content was written by someone with any knowledge!
1) Wikipedia articles have citations that you can follow up on.
2) It's impossible to verify that any content was created by a knowledgeable person. It is the user's responsibility to check multiple sources and decide for himself which ones, if any, are reputable.
Anyway, the sky is not falling and it likely will never be. All Apple has to do is keep the number of services with root privileges down to a minimum, and keep those services exploit free.
I manage the equipment for a web development company and I install Norton Anti-Virus on their Macs mainly as a CYA measure. After ten years I've never seen a virus there, but I've received plenty of trouble tickets about the AV software slowing the computers down, displaying strange errors, or otherwise disrupting peoples' work.
On my own Macs, I don't run any AV software and I don't expect to unless things change significantly.
First, it encourages Mac users not to be instrumental in inadvertently passing along Windows viruses in attachments, which does happen. And secondly, to reduce any legal liability Apple's ads will have opened them up to once an actual OS X virus does surface and damages the data of some unsuspecting users.
You don't have to think very hard to come up with scenarios where either of those situations could lead to large numbers of users trying to sue Apple.
Does this have anything to do with the fact that Macs can run Windows now?
I will never have Windows on my Mac - I assume that makes me safer from viruses?
If you run Windows on a Mac, either by booting directly into Windows or running it on top of the Mac OS via Parallels or Fusion, the worst that can happen is that your Windows environment could be infected. My understanding is that the Windows environment is naturally quarantined.
For my purposes, Parallels works great because my entire Windows installation is contained in a single Mac file that I can back up along with the rest of my files. If I should happen to get a virus in Windows, I can just restore yesterday's backup and it's gone. In fact, I think that avoiding the whole Windows reinstallation ordeal might be the best thing about running it on a Mac.
As for your acceptance of the marketshare excuse for virus infections, there is absolutely no evidence that marketshare has anything to do with the vulnerability of an operating system to viruses. In fact, there are contrary examples.
Absolutely correct! In fact, I got so tired of repeating the evidence against the market share virus argument that I gathered it all in one long article to point people to when this annoying assumption comes up. (Link here, assuming nobody minds me pimping my blog like that.
HotWheels sez: "The age of virus free Mac is coming to an end. And I cant believe that the workers at Apple store still tell potential customer that the Mac is virus free."
The Mac remains 100% virus free. So bite me.
However, the Mac is not 100% malware free. If you don't know the distinction between 'malware' and 'virus' then go do some homework and look it up. Wikipedia is your pal.
And what big nasty evil, 'the end is nigh!' malware does the Mac have? I keep track of this stuff over at my Mac-Security blog:
1) Trojan OSX.RSPlug.A (which has a couple variants and is inert on Mac OS X Server)
2) Trojan OSX.Lamzev.A
There are two FREEWARE options for killing off these TWO (and only two) malware:
A) ClamXav
The makers of MacScan also provide a FREEWARE detection and removal tool for OSX.RSPlug.A.
Both of these Trojans rely on wetware error for their installation, aka 'social engineering'. The safe thing to do is work in a 'Standard' account in Mac OS X (NOT an Administrator account) and never install anything you have not verified to be legitimate software.
That's TWO (2) malware for Mac, the end. Run and hide. Take cover. We're under attack. We're all gonna die. zzzzzzz
http://forums.appleinsider.com/images/smilies/lol.gif
Having said that, I've never thought about putting AV software on my Mac. I wouldn't put it on a Linux box, either. Hell, I barely think about AV software on Windows.