Do we need anti virus softwares for Mac book pro?

do we need antivirus softwares for mac book pro?

That is a complex question, whose answer depends greatly on you. See my Mac Malware Guide for the information you need to protect yourself and to make a decision about anti-virus software.

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Do you need anti virus software for mac book pro

Is it true that the new mac book pro computers are now more susceptable to virus attacks and malware then the Mac books made 5 years ago.
If this is true what is being recommended to protect your mac book pro?
thank you

OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any security application. Don't use any commercial antivirus. If you want more information about OS X and malware, see > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
If you want an antivirus, use ClamXav or Sophos, but as I said, you don't need these applications.
Now, there are some viruses for OS X. However, they are not serious, so you just need to keep your Mac updated, because the most recent Mac OS X versions include important security improvements

Please recommend anti virus software for Mac Book Pro

Also, are there any system tools to do regular maintenance for the Mac to keep it running at its best?

Hi Marie,
Basically there are no viruses for Mac, so if there is malware. To get rid of this problemI recommend MacScan.
On the other hand, I recommend that you install software you do not use, in which case you want to install to test and then remove it, use AppZaper this app application completely eliminates the documents while away.
Greetings

I downloaded the new software for mac book pro with retina and the office doesn't work

I downloaded the new software for mac book pro with retina and the office doesn't work

cynthia alia wrote:
I downloaded...
... but did you INSTALL it?
Office::2008 was drag & drop, but Office::2011 has an installer you need to run.

Once and for all: Do I need anti-virus software for my Mac?

I've always heard that you don't really need anti-virus or anti-spyware software for Macs - but I do wonder that there has to be viruses about that would affect Macs?
I do alot of creative and professional work on my Mac. The data on it, means a **** of a lot to me, and I'd hate for my Mac to be infected with something horrible.
Could anybody please tell me if I really do need anti-virus or anti-spyware software for my iMac? And if I do, which one do you recommend? (Ideally I would want it to be cheap and not hog lots of system resources)...
Thank you!

Hi
I can only give you my personal experience on this one.
The short answer is "no". I've been using macs for the past 4 years, my partner for many more. Neither I nor she have an anti virus program installed.
We both use firewall on both the os x setup and via our router. I tend to install the security updates posted by apple after they are released and check the forums to be aware of any potential problems.
A much better idea is to back up your important projects etc on a regular basis to dvd and external hard disk.
I have one experience of anti-virus software on the mac:
About 2.5 years ago i thought i had a virus - my diskspace was being eaten up at a very very fast rate - and i was worried. Found out that the os update from 10.3.2 to 10.3.5 had an incompatability issue with the mcafee shock game controller driver (obscure eh!)
Anyway, after this experience and deleting the driver which i no longer needed, i decided to err on the side of caution and tried out both mcafee and norton. Both of which slowed down my system and norton especially caused problems when i was running logic pro etc. really really annoying.
Once i'd got over my "insecure" stage and having spoken to other mac users i realised anti-virus software was causing many many more issues than resolving any - and besides since then i have still had no problems and have never come across any viruses on mac os x.
It all depends on what makes you feel safer. Personally i wouldn't recommend ant-virus programs... i wonder if anyone has any positive experiences of anti-virus software on the mac?
that's my 0.02 pence

Do I need anti-virus software for my Mac Book Pro (purchased in Sept, 2011)?

McAfee's website ...
http://home.mcafee.com/Store/PackageDetail.aspx?pkgid=358&culture=en-us&affid=79 2&eid=covmcaggl89400000070427s&adid=8370783383&
... says I need anti-virus protection for my Mac (of course they'd like to sell it to me). Been a Windows man since Gates was just getting started. FINALLY switched over a few months ago. McAfee makes good points about getting this protection so I thought I'd sign in here and ask you guys (the experts:-)) what YOU think?? If I do need it, please recommend. I always heard that you don't need anti-virus protection for a Mac and was hoping that would be the case but I must admit it ... that sounds a little bit far-fetched/unreasonable. I don't mind doing it if it will add extra security and isn't too annoying as it has ALWAYS been on my Windows PCs through the years. Thanks, Dan

No. You don't need AV software.
What does McAfee sell? AV software so of course they are going to attempt to sell it to you. Their only interest is getting your money and nothing more then that. That web site is a total crock.
Allan

Will I need anti virus software for boot camp?

Hi everyone,
i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk. Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp? My main use for xp is for some unavailable software and pc games.
And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?
thanks guys

"...i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk...."
Why both? For instance, I have XP on my MacBook and I also have an old hard drive with XP (from another computer) in a portable case with USB. I can plug that thing into my MacBook and it is merely seen as an external storage drive. (I've never tried to boot from it though...)
"...Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp?..."
Obviously viruses etc come from outside places, so either they come from the 'net or else from email or disks or storage sticks. If someone knowingly or unknowingly planted malware on them then your not safe. Macs are immune (99.9%) and of course Windows is wide open for trouble. If you stay off the 'net that is 90% of the battle. The rest is whether or not YOU place on your system a file or disk or jump drive which has "been places".
"...And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?..."
With BootCamp you only need a hard firewall (a router, wireless or wire) and free AVG antivirus to protect your Windows side. (Unless you are doing serious file swapping and surfing scary websites - then you need to purchase top notch AV like Symantec) but that is only a problem for your Windows installation.
Your Mac side will always (99.9%) be safe from your Windows problems.
That is the great thing about BootCamp. Your Windows side could be totally infected and destroyed and you can still boot to OS X no problem and perform a fresh install of Windows. Windows needs protection - OS X just doesn't (unless the FBI, Interpol, and MI5 are after you - if someone WANTS to trash OS X they can. It appears no one ever wants to though...)
I'm saying that if you intend to have external BootCamp SIMPLY to be safe (instead of just right on your Mac's internal hard drive) from viruses, it is not necessary. If you have Windows on your internal drive and only boot to it while offline it is the same safety level - totally safe. If you have the hard firewall and free AVG you are seriously safe as it is. And your Apple side is always safe no matter what.
Just my opinion / experience. Others can chime in with their views / experiences - I'd like to hear them...
Cheers

Is it necessary to install an anti-virus software for mac?

As above. Thanks.

The only reason I have ever seen to install
anti-virus on my Mac was to satisfy my corporate IT
guys requirements that I am running up-to-date
anti-virus software before putting my Mac on their
LAN.
I basically launch it if they want to see it, then
close it...because its useless
If your company's IT staff is not so bright, write up a shell script that echos stuff as if its scanning for virus. Something like
#!/bin/bash
echo "Scanning for virus"
sleep 2
echo "..."
sleep 4
echo "0 Virus(es) found"
exit
stick that in a file, chmod +x, run from terminal with 'sh files' or './file'
BlackBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

HT2470 do we need anti virus software for macpro?

i am gonna buy macpro? do i need to buy anti virus software or it is built in?

See my Mac Malware Guide.
Long story short, there is some Mac malware out there, but it's fairly easily avoided if you take some basic precautions.

Anti-virus software for Mac

Hi,
I have had an ibook G4 since March, 2005 and I want to get an anti-virus to protect my machine better, does Apple sell a anti-virus software?
thanks

Canadian_gal,
Sell? Not exactly. Apple does, however, ship the open-source clamav antivirus in OS X Server.
clamav is the standard antivirus in the BSD world.
There's a user-friendly version written by Mark Allan called ClamXav that uses the same antivirus engine.
It's light on the system, tends to update faster than commercial antivirus software, and is free (donation requested).
-Wayne
Edited for clarity.

Do i need anti virus software on my MacBook Pro?

I recently read an article on the BBC website that said mac users are now being advised to get anti virus software. Does anyone agree with this? And if so, which software?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7760344.stm

This forum is for troubleshooting Apple Remote Desktop, Apple's application for managing Macs on your network, not viruses.
You should probably search the OS X forums, as it's been covered many times already the past couple days:
http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=235

Best software for mac book pro

I am a new mac user and having trouble finding the best software for mac. Windows for mac and parallels desktop have been recommended to me. There is such a significant price difference between the two, is there a difference in what they offer? Are there any other software options for mac that I should be looking into?

new2mac0312 wrote:
I am a new mac user and having trouble finding the best software for mac.
http://bestmacsoftware.org/
http://www.macupdate.com/
Windows for mac and parallels desktop have been recommended to me.
There is such a significant price difference between the two, is there a difference in what they offer?
Windows is a operating system from Microsoft, that costs more money.
OS X is the operating system on your Mac, it came free with the Mac you bought.
Parallels and VMFusion are paid virtual machine software that can run other operating systems like a programs inside other operating systems, there is a performance penalty, but it's easier for new users and those who don't need the full power of the hardware.
There is also VirtualBox, it's free virtual machine software with less features, but doesn't suffer from forcing you to upgrade for more money like the commercial versions do.
Virtual Machine software has the ability to run other operating systems and a large portion of their software, which makes it attractive.
There is Apple's BootCamp, it's also free, which allows one to section their boot drive space (called a partition) and install Windows 7 (only) there, this way one can directly boot a Mac into Windows 7 for better performance for 3D games and other heavy CPU uses. Although it's easy, it can be a lot more problematic if there is a problem.
So you have those choices to run plenty of software, from Windows based programs, to Mac ones to Linux ones too.
Windows in BootCamp or Virtual Machine?

Do I need a type of anti virus software for my macbook pro(2012)?

I'm usually a Windows guy and I just switched to Macs. So I'm not used to Macbooks. Do I need a type of anti software for apple computers? If I do can you recommend me some or tell me how to maintain/prevent my mac from viruses, trojans, etc...

mende1 is correct: all you need is ClamXav, but here is the longer version:
There are many forms of ‘Malware’ that can affect a computer system, of which ‘a virus’ is but one type, ‘trojans’ another. Using the strict definition of a computer virus, no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions. The same is not true of other forms of malware, such as Trojans. Whilst it is a fairly safe bet that your Mac has NOT been infected by a virus, it may have another security-related problem, but more likely a technical problem unrelated to any malware threat.
You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
More useful information can also be found here:
http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg/

What is the best Anti Virus Software for MAC?

Is Norton still number one, or does anyone recommend a more reliable and efficient software?

The facetious (but largely true) answer, lemacman, is OSX.
I've yet to see any virus checker that doesn't cause far more trouble than viruses do on Macs running under OSX.
Nortons / SAM AV was , mostly, the best under OS's up to OS9. That doesn't mean that it didn't cause problems, but it was generally better than the others. I used it briefly under OSX until one of the updates did something nasty (deleting all of my email, from memory) .
Virex became popular in some quarters for a while but unfortunately at one stage had the unfortunate habit of making peopl's processors run at 100% , causing overheating and other problems in iMac G5s and the like. If I had a quid for every occasion I had to tell someone to remove Virex at that time I'd be a financial rival to Donald Trump!
etc etc etc.
If you really feel you HAVE to have a virus checker, the only one I'd even consider at present is the free ClamX AV . There is a bit of a problem in that you have to use the public beta version if you are running Snow Leopard, but I have little doubt that even a public beta of it will cause less hassles than the current releases of the various commercial offerings!
So - given the number of Mac OSX affecting viruses "out in the wild" at present (none) - the safest course is not to use any, but if you really feel as insecure using your Mac without one as walking down the street without your pants on, then my vote would be that you go for the public beta of ClamX AV.
Cheers
Rod

Is any anti virus required for mac book air???

i am afraid to transfer data to my mac book with a pen drive without any antivirus ....... does my mac book air require any antivirus ??? can i use pen drive to transfer data??

gouthami wrote:
... does my mac book air require any antivirus ...
No.
See Here > Antivirus Discussion
Read Here > http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg/
gouthami wrote:
... can i use pen drive to transfer data??
Yes.

Do we need anti virus softwares for Mac book pro?

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