Anti Virus Software - Do I need?

Just bought and new MacBook Pro with Mac OS X(10.6). Had heard with Mac's there is no need to purchase Anti Virus Software such as Norton Anti Virus that I currently still have a subscription for with my old Dell. Should I continue this subscription?

I'm also a new Mac user and have been looking for information on whether to use a virus protection program or not. I've seen people say that Norton will mess up your computer more than any other virus would and that I should use ClamXAV.
I also see people saying that if you have windows on your mac that you should use a virus software and people also recommend ClamXAV.
I also see people saying something about using Windows under Bootcamp. Pardon my stupidity, but what is that?
I work with PC's at work and I have Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac on my MacBook pro, so I'm guessing I should get the ClamXAV? I just want to avoid any issues with my new Mac and working with Microsoft, I don't want to get any viruses from co-workers or give them any.
THX

Similar Messages

Anti virus software - do i need it for my mac?

Hi - with all the publicity in the news about the hacking of PC's and we only have 2 weeks to protect our computers from hackers - would you recommend that we purchase particular software for our iMac's to combat this forthcoming attack? Any information gratefully received. x

with all the publicity in the news about the hacking of PC's and we only have 2 weeks to protect our computers from hackers
You have to protect your computers from hackers all the time. The point is that you have to do that, and delegating that responsibility to some magical product that claims the ability to do it for you is an ineffective defense.
There is no two week countdown to anything; there never has been.
- would you recommend that we purchase particular software for our iMac's to combat this forthcoming attack?
Absolutely not. OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac. Without exception, they will do the opposite.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources. Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iTunes or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
Java can be disabled in System Preferences.
Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
Block browser popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > and check "Block popup windows":
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but popups have devolved to become a common means to deliver targeted advertising that you probably do not want.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever see a popup indicating it detected registry errors, that your Mac is infected with some ick, or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. To date, most of these attempts have been pathetic and are easily recognized, but that is likely to change in the future as criminals become more clever.
OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.
Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

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

Anti Virus Software....Do I need It On My MacBook Pro??

Hi
I was given the impression I didn't need anti virus software for my 1yo MacBook Pro?? am I correct or stupid? Please Help.....

Roadzee wrote:
Even better thanks...the question I have now is..do you recommend AV software if so what one is the best??
Thanks.
I have been using Macs with OS X since the day OS X was launched on March 24, 2001. (BTW, an experience I will never ever ever repeat, despite the overall clunkiness of OS9.) I have never downloaded, purchased, used, tested, or thought about using an anti-virus software. I still don't. In all that time, I have never experienced malware, trojan horses, and/or viruses. Whenever I read about these trojan horses or malware, it almost always requires user acquiesence, rarely superior coding of the malware.
Look, don't allow anything to have root access to your computer by keeping it secure by password, and only enter the password when you're sure of what's requiring it. Don't download anything that you don't trust. In other words, download Adobe Photoshop from Adobe's website, not from some random website in the Ukraine. I don't like anti-virus software because they gobble up system resources that don't need to go something like protecting the Mac from nonexistent trouble.
But if you're going to lose sleep over this, then get ClamXav. But it's really a waste of your time.

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.

Anti-Virus Software Needed @ Work in a Windows/Exchange 2003 Environment?

I'm taking delivery of a new 24" iMac, and will be using it at work in a Windows/Exchange 2003 environment. I'll be using VMWare Fusion, and Win XP Pro 32 bit to run our business-critical applications. Also, until Office for Mac 2007 is released in January, I'll be using Office 2007 (including Outlook 2007) from the Windows partition. I'm the "pioneer" (the first) Mac user at our company and want to get this right. Regarding antivirus sofware (which I've never had to worry about on my home G5):
1.) Do I need it at all?
2.) Do I need to get it for the Windows partition? the OSX partition? both?
3.) If I need anti-virus software for either or both, what is recommended, given my workstation/network setup? will the same product work for both OSX and XP? or do I need separate programs for each?
Thanks!

For the windows antivirus software I would avoid Norton. I've had problems with every version of it that I've used, both on my own pc and others. I've also had problems with Mcafee. Go with either ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, Kaspersky Antivirus, or AVG from Grisoft. AVG has caught things that norton doesn't. I use the free version in conjunction with ZoneAlarm on my XP machine, but they have business versions. Zonealarm's firewall works very well. The inbound/outbound program control is hard to beat. Their anti-spyware/adware solution leaves a little to be desired though. For the ultimate antivirus protection on a PC, you really need to run redundant programs.
However for Mac, I can't recommend anything, since I'm not yet a mac user. Not yet.

Nokia navigator 6210 need anti virus software or n...

Hello , Just Joined not even switched on my phone yet still charging it! Can you advise me please? I first rang nokia to ask about anti virus suites as it was mentioned vaguely in the manual and I wanted to make sure If any was needed as it didnt specify or suggest any what to buy , I thought this was sensible the guy came back from nokia and told me he couldnt help at all! what hope I thought if the actual manufacturer cant tell me , he couldnt tell me either about the navigation license It says six month on the box but three according to vodafone! another question?? This I also asked them cant help they said! so far Im totally in the dark , simple questions I cant get an answer to, I found bullguard mobile but was unsure as to the nokia 6210 navigators compatibility , let alone if I actually do need anything to protect it all I know is it is symbian bases system! , whats the cost for the navigation software when the license runs out please? what size memory cards does the phone accept from 1gb that comes with it to ??? Thanks for your advice in advance

Thank you for such A quick reply its appreciated, I take on board what you have said as I have never owned this type of mobile before, I have a sony 3g k850i that doesnt use anti virus software as far as I know none for that , since posting I have found out that bullguard does do an antivirus package for the nokia but after what you have said and the heft price tag of 30 quid I am in two minds whether just to take extreme care or buy install it and at least have the knowledge that theres that little bit of extra protection for the phone,though the actual cost of updates for this particular product worried me a bit also, I am reasonably pc savvy no probs rebuilding a pc from ground up but mobile phones im a definate newbie , I will think long and hard after your sound advice again thank you for your response

Do i need to install and anti virus software on my macbook air? if yes, which one should i install?

Do i need to install and anti virus software on my macbook air? if yes, which one should i install?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any antivirus. Furthermore, they will only slow down your computer. If you want more information, read > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
If you want an antivirus, install ClamXav, but you don't need an antivirus

Anti Virus Software for New iBook - Any Need for it

Hi,
Is there any real need to buy any Anti Virus software for a new iBook running Tiger.
If so what would be the best software to Buy.

Hello Simon,
As has been stated there are NO viruses for Mac OS X. None!
Some will say that NO form of protection is required. Some will say that there is a good case for having at least some protection.
There is an interesting article here
No need to spend any money now!
Regards
Ian

I have installed Microsoft Office, do I now need anti virus software

I have installed Microsoft Office on my Macbook Air, do I now need to install a suitable anti virus software?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Of course not. It's still safe to use your Mac without an antivirus. OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any antivirus. If you want more information about Mac OS X and viruses, see > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
If you want an antivirus, download ClamXav or Sophos, but you don't need them. I only recommend them if you have files you will transfer to a PC

I've just downloaded FF 4 beta, do i still need to purchase internet security software & anti-virus software for protection?

I have not renewed my McAfee. i am not sure whether FF 4 beta security protection is good enough. I do internet banking often. do i still need to have other security or anti-virus software?

Firefox is just a web browser, you still need anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall protection.

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

Do imac's need anti-virus software?

Hi there, I am new to imac, I recently just replaced my windows 7 laptop with the new imac 21.5 inch. I have heard some very different opinions on this topic and to be honest I dont know which way to go. Is it necessary to have anti virus software/internet security protection on my imac? Previously to purchasing my my imac I used Kaspersky Pure. My sister still uses Windows 7 and has Kasperky Pure also. So whats the right thing to do? Anti Virus or not? I just want to make sure I do the right thing.. and since Im new to imac I thought the best thing to do was to ask for some expect advice.
Thanks

Mostly there is no need. Apple provides malware protection updates automatically if something appears that represents a threat. In recent years there haven't been any serious concerns.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.
If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using ClamXav.

Do Apple products need anti virus software?

Comcast says I need anti virus software for my email account. Do I?

Just for full disclosure, there are a handful of malware pieces out there. Also, "virus" is not the correction common definition. A virus is a particular type of unwanted, or damaging software. The more recent all encompassing term is malware, which is short for "malicious software".
1. Viruses - Zero. Not a single virus of any kind has been found in the wild that affects the Mac OS.
2. Worms - One long dead worm that reportedly infected less than 100 computers.
3. Trojans - These are the most common (and there aren't a lot of them). They attempt to trick you installing them by pretending to be something else. They can't self replicate like a virus. Each infection requires the user's help to get it installed.
4. Java attacks - These were the most recent. It was the first attack to successfully infect the Mac OS simply by visiting an infected web site. No user interaction was necessary. The easy fix was to turn Java off in your web browser. Leave JavaScript on. Despite the similar name, they have nothing to do with each other.
Java, and the Mac OS have since been updated against these attacks, and the writers of these attacks apparently haven't been able to find a way around these patches. There have been no such attacks for over a year.
Basically, the Mac needs no help. Those who do run AV software, or are required to (business office, school systems, etc.) are there to help catch the myriad of Windows malware that gets passed around. For the Mac in such situations, you're really just catching Windows malware that comes to you in the form of an email attachment so you don't unknowingly forward them to Windows users.

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 - Do I need?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for