Anti viral software recommendation

anti viral software recommendation

If you REALLY want anti virus, which you REALLY do not need. I would recommend AVG. It's free from CNET www.download.net . Like rk said you do not need it but Macs are beginning to become targets of Mal-Ware. Apple has released an update that keeps your Mac protected against Mal-Ware. Keep your Mac up to date and you should not have any issues. But, if you really feel like you need it go for the AVG. Stay away from Norton!!

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Is there an anti-viral software and spyware that is recommended??

Is there anti-viral software and spyware that is preferred for the I-MAC and MAC book Pro?? I don't want to slow my system like one's I've used for PC's in the past.

VIRUSES
No viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions.
It is possible, however, to pass on a Windows virus to another Windows user, for example through an email attachment. To prevent this all you need is the free anti-virus utility ClamXav, which you can download for Tiger from:
http://www.clamxav.com/download.php#tiger
and for Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion from here:
http://www.clamxav.com/
Note: If you wish to uninstall ClamXav: keep a copy of the disk image from when you downloaded it, or download it again - the uninstaller is included with the application. To uninstall, quit ClamXav Sentry (if you use it) and make sure it's not set to launch at log in. The uninstaller will remove the engine and any schedules you've got set up, then just drag ClamXav.app to the trash.
If you are already using ClamXav: please ensure that you have installed all recent Apple Security Updates and that your version of ClamXav is the latest available.
Do not install Norton Anti-Virus on a Mac as it can seriously damage your operating system. Norton Anti-Virus is not compatible with Apple OS X.
FAKE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE and associated MALWARE
Do not be tricked by 'scareware' that tempts computer users to download fake anti-virus software that may itself be malware.
Fake anti-virus software that infect PCs with malicious code are a growing threat, according to a study by Google. Its analysis of 240m web pages over 13 months showed that fake anti-virus programs accounted for 15% of all malicious software.
Scammers trick people into downloading programs by convincing them that their PC is infected with a virus.
Once installed, the software may steal data or force people to make a payment to register the fake product.
Beware of PDF files from unknown sources. A security firm announced that by its counting, malicious Reader documents made up 80% of all exploits at the end of 2009.:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9157438/in which Rogue_PDFs_account_for_80_of_all_exploits_says_researcher
TROJANS and RE-DIRECTION TO FAKE WEBSITES
The appearance of Trojans and other malware that can possibly infect a Mac seems to be growing, but is a completely different issue to viruses.
If you allow a Trojan to be installed, the user's DNS records can be modified, redirecting incoming internet traffic through the attacker's servers, where it can be hijacked and injected with malicious websites and pornographic advertisements. The trojan also installs a watchdog process that ensures the victim's (that's you!) DNS records stay modified on a minute-by-minute basis.
You can read more about how, for example, the OSX/DNSChanger Trojan works (by falsely suggesting extra codecs are required for Quicktime) here:
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan_osx_dnschanger.shtml
SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X. It's available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
First update the MacScan malware definitions before scanning. You can also contact their support team for any additional support - [email protected]
The DNSChanger Removal Tool detects and removes spyware targeting Mac OS X and allows users to check to see if the trojan has been installed on their computer; if it has, the software helps to identify and remove the offending file. After a system reboot, the users' DNS records will be repaired.
(Note that a 30 day trial version of MacScan can be downloaded free of charge from:
http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
and this can perform a complete scan of your entire hard disk. After 30 days free trial the cost is $29.99. The full version permits you to scan selected files and folders only, as well as the entire hard disk. It will detect (and delete if you ask it to) all 'tracker cookies' that switch you to web sites you did not want to go to.)
A white paper was published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?main_page=document_ general_info&cPath=11&products_id=174
Also, beware of MacSweeper and MacDefender (also goes under the name of MacProtector, MacGaurd, MacSecurity or MacShield) :
These are malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer in an attempt to obtain payment.
Mackeeper is equally worthless and should also be avoided. Again, the developer seeks to obtain payment for an application that does nothing that free utilities do not also offer, and in many cases it will also mess up your system.
You can keep up to date, particularly about malware present in some downloadable pirated software, at the Securemac site:
http://www.securemac.com/
HOW TO AVOID RE-DIRECTION
Adding Open DNS codes to your Network Preferences, should give good results in terms of added security as well as speed-up:
Open System Preferences/Network. Double click on your connection type, or select it in the drop-down menu, and in the box marked 'DNS Servers' add the following two numbers:
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
(You can also enter them if you click on Advanced and then DNS)
Sometimes reversing the order of the DNS numbers can be beneficial in cases where there is a long delay before web pages start to load, and then suddenly load at normal speed:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2296
There may be other ways of guarding against Trojans, viruses and general malware affecting the Mac, and alternatives will probably appear in the future. In the meantime the advice is: be careful where you go on the web and what you download!
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR MAC HAS BECOME 'INFECTED'
If you think you may have acquired a Trojan, and you know its name, you can also locate it via the Terminal:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/04/24/mac-botnet-how-to-ensure-you-are-not-part-of- the-problem/
Although any content that you download has the possibility of containing malicious software, practising a bit of care will generally keep you free from the consequences of anything like the DNSChanger trojan.
1. Avoid going to suspect and untrusted Web sites, especially p'orn'ography sites.
2. Check out what you are downloading. Mac OS X asks you for you administrator password to install applications for a reason! Only download media and applications from well-known and trusted Web sites. If you think you may have downloaded suspicious files, read the installer packages and make sure they are legit. If you cannot determine if the program you downloaded is infected, do a quick Internet search and see if any other users reported issues after installing a particular program.
3. Use an antivirus program like ClamXav. If you are in the habit of downloading a lot of media and other files, it may be well worth your while to run those files through this AV application.
4. Use Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.
5. Peer-to-peer sharing applications and download torrents (such as the now defunct LimeWire) supplying pirated software, movies etc are hotbeds of potential software issues waiting to happen to your Mac. Everything from changing permissions to downloading trojans and other malicious software can be acquired from using these applications. Similar risks apply to using Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and similar sites which are prone to malicious hacking: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8420233.stm
6. Resist the temptation to download pirated software. They can contain Botnet Trojans. SecureMac offer a simple and free tool for the removal of the iBotNet Trojan available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/files/iServicesTrojanRemovalTool.dmg
YOUR PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET and the latest risks to look out for:
There is the potential for having your entire email contact list stolen for use for spamming:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/technology/internet/20shortcuts.html?_r=1
And if you are using iPhone Apps you are also at risk of losing all privacy:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/03/hacker-claims-third-party-iphone-apps-can-tra nsmit-udid-pose-se/
The advent of HTML5 may also be a future threat to internet privacy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/business/media/11privacy.html?_r=1&hp
Security of OS X generally:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is/security.html
http://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/os/applemac/I731-007R-2007.pdf
Security Configuration for Version 10.5 Leopard:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Leopard_Security_Config_2nd_Ed.pdf
NOTE: Apple's Snow Leopard and Lion operating systems silently update the malware protection built into Mac OS X to protect against a backdoor Trojan horse that can allow hackers to gain remote control over your treasured iMac or MacBook: Macs running Snow Leopard or Lion now check for new malware definitions daily, allowing Apple to quickly deploy protection from threats before they have a chance to spread.
Few malicious titles actually exist for Mac OS X, and those that do rely almost entirely upon duping users to install software that pretends to be legitimate.
http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2010/06/18/apple-secretly-updates
However, if you are running Lion Server:
Apple's new server operating system -- OS X Lion -- is so inherently insecure that Stamos recommends keeping it off the network altogether and using Macs only as standalone machines connected to IP or Windows networks, not those designed for Macs.
The Mac Server's networking protocols -- especially DHX User Authentication -- are designed for ease of use, not security. It is trivial, Stamos said, for hackers to set up a Mac user to download a file that will overflow the buffer protecting the heap segment of the server's memory, allowing the file's malicious payload to run uncontrolled in the server's memory and give itself whatever access rights it wants.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/index.cfm?newsid=3301796&olo=email

Do I need a security/anti-viral software?

I am new to MAC and just get hit with the MacDefender. I removed it, but it makes me wonder about more anti-viral software.
Thanks
countrydeb

Your welcome, you should be good to go!
Enjoy the new Mac. If you haven't been exposed to these sites I'd recommend bookmarking them and referring to them often.
Switch 101
Mac 101
Find Out How Video tutorials

O.T. Free Anti-Virus Software Recommendations Wanted

Any recommendations on free anti-virus software for the Mac ?

Some thoughts on Norton on Macs that I saved from another forum:
Do not use Norton Antivirus. Do not trust Norton Antivirus.
For starters, there are no Mac viruses. Nada. Zip. None. Paying money to protect your Mac from viruses is like paying money to protect your Mac from vampires.
Norton Antivirus has two problems that make it worse than useless. First, it has many known and documented bugs (including bugs that can cripple your system in a way that makes it impossible for you to authenticate as an administrator, bugs that can prevent you from re-installing Classic, and bugs that can corrupt files created with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign).
Second, it has a history of false positives--incorrectly saying files are "infected" when they are not. In the worst and most dramatic case of false diagnosis, one NAV update wrongly said certain critical VM files used by the system were "infected;" people who believed this diagnosis and told Norton to "fix" the "infection" screwed up their systems but good.
NAV is also implicated in many kernel panics and other system crashes.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you have wasted your money on worthless software that can damage your system in an effort to protect yourself from a problem which does not yet exist on the Mac. I advise you to write off the money you spent as a loss and remove Norton from your computer.
Norton is NASTY stuff. Stay away from anything with the Norton name, especially do NOT let anything with the Norton name (like Norton Anti Virus, File Saver) ever reside on your computer.
NAV (Norton Anti Virus) can lead to permanent file damage. Files damaged by NAV are not recoverable. NAV can also prevent many PostScript files from parsing, even if not damaged permanently.
Disk Doctor and Speed Disk are known to cause the kind of directory damage that can lead to kernel panics.

Anti-Virus Software recommendations?

My University recently downgraded from free Norton Anti-Virus to a program called "Sophos." Anyone know anything about this?
Either way, can anyone recommend a reliable freeware anti-virus software?

Hi Andrew!
Many use this one ClamXav.
ali b

Anti-virus software recommendation

Would anyone be able to recommend an anti-virus software for my PowerBook? I frequently exchange files with Windows XP.

There is quite a bit of debate over the need for an AV program on a Mac, but if you want to use one, I think ClamXav is the one to use.
www.clamxav.com

Anti theft software recommendation?

HI all,
I recently read an article about a guy who tracked down his stolen Mac laptop with the aid of software that he had installed that tracks location and takes screen shots of the stealer's activity as well as pictures of the user from the screen mounted camera. I'd like to install something like this myself, seems like a good idea.
Anyone have any experience with thist type of software, and recommendations for affordable solutions? (This is for my MBP, not the G5 desktop, of course.)
Thanks,
Dina

MicroSaver® Alarmed Lock
Ncase
iAlertU
YouTube Video of iAlertU in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkAtRfA1UXc
Targus DEFCON 1 Ultra
Retriever
==============
STOP Plate Action video on manufacture’s website
====================
Record your MBP serial #
=================
Set up a firmware password. Doing this will prevent someone from booting from a different startup DVD/CD (Apple) Open Firmware Password Application
==================
Check with your Homeowners or Renters insurance to confirm if they will cover your laptop outsite of the home.

I just uploaded the newest Firefox v 6 and lost my only anti-viral software, AVAST. What do I do?

I don't have any more details. I would like to know if you can re-instate AVAST on my computer or what to do in order to get it back in operation.
Thanks,
Renne

Installing an iTunes update does not remove your media or personal files.
Are the files actually missing off the computer, if so, you have a serious computer issue... not a software update issue.
Regardless, use the backup of your media and other important files to put everything back. You do have a backup, correct?

TS1398 Do I need anti-viral software for my iPad?

How do I know my iPads are not compromised by viruses? Do I need protection, as I do for my PC.? If not, why not?

Unless they've been jailbroken, they're secure; everything that can legitimately be installed on them is screened by Apple and then posted to the iTunes App Store.
(105804)

I have a 6.1.6 MAC desktop and my bank has recommended anti-virus software and turn on Firewall - require advise please

I have a 6.1.6. MAC desktop and my on-line bank has recommended I download separate anti-virus software and turn on Firewall
Please advise
Thank you
Karinband

I concur with Etresoft. If they persist in their demands for you to install AV software and turning on a firewall, ask to speak to a manager of the bank and suggest to them that you are seriously considering changing banks. That usually changes their tune.

What anti virus software is recommended for iphone 3gs

what anti-virus software is recommended for iphone 3GS?

You don't need it for an iPhone, assuming that you have not made any unauthorised changes to the OS, such as jailbreaking.

Who can recommend a functional anti virus software for imac and macbaook

Alarm! Great problems with Internet Banking!
Access closed by bank because of "Trojaner" on my imac. Can't believe.
Who can recommend a good anti virus software for imac, macbook and even ipad?
Thanks for helping
Eva

ClamXav.
You will 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/

Please recommend good Anti-Virus software?

for my PowerBook 4?
I heard that virus and some spy-ware? are safer or mostly not harmful on Macintosh. I don't know about it correctly and didn't think about it seriously.
But I heard that if some spy-ware? like virus or something is on my computer, other people can spy what I'm doing and get my personal information. Is that true? Are there good resources I can read about them seriously? Also, please recommend good Anti-Virus software.
Thanks much in advance!

I searched and found there is one Anti-Virus software for Mac. (but not sure though) There is Norton Anti-Virus 10.1.
Even though I feel like my Mac PBG4 doesn't have any problems, there could lots of virus on my PBG4?
I read an article (from MacWorld's buying advice) and it says that "...if you’re just going to try it out, be careful about all the components it installs on your Mac..."
I'm not quite sure about the point of this advice. Do you recommend to install it if I'm not quite serious about it? Still, I'm concerned about my all the personal information and important data on my PBG4 and so on.
Thanks for advices and comments!
Message was edited by: blue sky

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANTI-SPAM SOFTWARE?

Hello !
Can anyone recommend a good anti-spam software to purchase? I have a new MAC and I use Netscape Navigator for my mail managing system. I really want to be able to block out some email users from my account - but on MAC.com we don't get that option (like we can on Yahoo for example).
So any recommendations for anti-spam software?
Thank you! Pam

Set "Rules" in "Preferences," in the "Mail" application, to delete: "Sender is not in my Address Book", and "Sender is not in my Previous Recipients."
I have resorted to that BOLD move because of all the spam I was receiving that started several weeks ago. The spam was a graphic in the body of the email, which no rule would touch, except for the one as stated above, nor could it be bounced back.
It is working very well, and I am not using any other anti-spam software.
Paula
iMac 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM (Owned a Mac since 1984!) Mac OS X (10.4.6) Slot Loading 8X Dual Layer SuperDrive, iSight & Apple Remote; iPod Video

Any recommendations/experience with anti-virus software?

Any recommendations on/experience with anti-virus software?

Norland88 wrote:
Any recommendations on/experience with anti-virus software?
Mac OS X is a smaller market, and, so far, and for whatever reason, a smaller target. Consequently, although major A/V vendors do usually have a Mac division, it seems to me that they employ for it the B-team. As a result, some Mac A/V tools create more problems than they solve.
Furthermore, as WZZZ rightly points out, all A/V tools (irrespective of platfom) fight yesterday's problem. They can only protect you against the threats they've already seen and analysed.
So, the question is: Do you need an A/V tool?
The people who say, "No, because there are no Mac viruses" are technically right, but in a very narrow sense. There are no Mac viruses—but there is Mac malware. MacDefender and iWork Services are examples; the recent Flashback infection—there've been threads dealing with it in this very forum for the past month—is another. So it really depends on what you do. The iWork Services Trojan Horse spread through a hacked download of Apple's iWork suite, distributed primarily through P2P file sharing. If you do that kind of stuff, you are at risk. Flashback spread through a Java vulnerability. If you browse the net with Java enabled, you are at risk.
Then there's the issue of exchanging files with Windows. If you work in a mixed Win/Mac environment, or exchange documents with others who use Windows, you may be the unwitting vector of infection, by transmitting Windows malware from one PC-using correspondent to another. The Win malware would not affect you in any way—but it would certainly affect them.
Therefore, the answer depends primarily on you.

Anti viral software recommendation

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