Are Macs susceptible to Viruses?

I know they are not prone to get them, but are Macs susceptable to viruses, such as the new koobface virus circulating on Facebook?
If so, what is the best antivirus software for the mac?

Well there is a DNS trojan floating on some adult sites (if it asks for QuickTime plugin say NO). Plus if you are in the States then go over to OpenDNS.com and use the service and then sign up for a free account to block known phishing sites (they even block the known Mac phishing site as well as Windows phishing sites) as well as many other sites. They even have a video to show you how to use the service 9it is very easy and will make your browsing a little faster).
Now the one Mac trojan has been countered by a free application DNSChanger Removal Tool. If you feel you really need antivirus protection on you Mac then go the free route with either iAntiVirus Free Edition or ClamXav.
Also never trust a site that asks for you to install a QuickTime plugin. IMHO the only two QuickTime plugin you will ever need are Flip4Mac and Perian.

Similar Messages

  • Are Macs still Anti-virus strong? What software is good with OSX

    hi all
    I've been a long Mac user and read and heard that Macs are not proned to viruses.
    Are Macs still Anti-virus strong? What anti-virus and fraud alert software is good with OSX?
    Thanks
    Web dude

    At this time there have been no confirmed Mac OS X viruses (subject to the semantic debate about whether the iChat exploit is properly classified as a virus or a trojan horse and not counting the Word macro virus that can affect Office v.X or non-updated copies of Office 2004), very few trojans and no adware or spyware. I therefore do not feel that antivirus or antispyware software is necessary at this time as long as users are careful about what they download from the Internet or accept as attachments via email.
    It's never wise to become complacent, though, so security precautions are not wasted. Such security precautions mostly are common sense: don't download and run files from sites you don't know, don't double-click on attachments in emails you aren't expecting and/or from people you don't know, and make sure you password your system and keep that password secure as well as not having your system available and unattended (which also is a precaution against theft). In addition, it's possible for someone to inadvertently forward a Windows virus or worm to a PC user though you'd have to do it manually and said Windows malware cannot infect the Mac.
    In addition, it's possible for someone to inadvertently forward a Windows virus to a PC user though you'd have to do it manually, and said Windows virus cannot infect the Mac.
    If you do decide you wish to run antivirus software, I think that the donationware clamXav should be more than enough provided you remember to scan your system from time to time.
    If you are running Windows on your system, either via BootCamp, Parallels Workstation or another solution, then that copy of Windows is subject to all the myriad exploits common to the Windows world, so you need to take full precautions, including running both antivirus and antispyware software.

  • Are macs susceptible to computer viruses?

    Are imacs susceptible to computer viruses?

    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 will NOT be infected by a virus, it may have other 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

  • I just heard on NPR that Macs are now vulnerable to viruses. What should I do?

    I switched to a Mac from a PC because I was told Macs don't get viruses.  I just heard on NPR's Morning Edition that Macs are no longer immune, and that in fact Apple's attitude that "We don't get viruses," makes Mac users perhaps more vulnerable than PC users, because Apple is not as vigilant. The link below gives worrisome details.
    http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/new-mac-malware-epidemic-exploits-weaknesses-in-a pple-ecosystem/4726
    What do we do now?

    I just got off the phone with Applecare senior advisers, and here is what they say:
    - Mac can get viruses, just like PCs, they just don't get them as often. The threat is still small, but it is real. Make sure you download all security updates religiously. The advisers also suggested that if I "felt like I needed more protection" there are third party virus protection programs for the Mac. They named McAffee and Symantec. At that point I started getting ugly flashbacks to my PC days of molasses-slow performance and virus scans gumming up the works. I told them I wasn't looking for something to make me feel better, I needed Apple's official recommendation to users. There doesn't seem to be one, but here is additional info I got:
    - For a virus to install itself on your Mac, you will have to invite it in, i.e., a little window will pop up asking you to download or install something. Many legitimate sites ask you to do that sort of thing, so the advice from Apple is make sure you know and trust the site before clicking OK. If you are not sure, open another tab and research the site you were thinking of allowing in.
    - One major reason Macs have not been vulnerable to viruses until now is that they did not present a large enough target for evildoers. The other reason is that the Mac OS is harder to get into than Windows. Smaller target + more work means smaller returns, so crooks have mostly left Macs alone. Now that Apple is the new 800 pound gorilla, it presents a juicier target, and the risk is increasing.
    - As for disabling Java, I don't want to do that, I need it for streaming stock quotes. Besides, that only addresses the current Trojan, and there is no guarantee that the next virus will use the same platform.
    I made a specific request that corporate address the information in the NPR segment. Apple should not ignore this. They need to elaborate and advise users on whether this was legitimate information or an ill-researched scare piece. The "virus-free" environment has been a big selling point for Apple computers, and if it no longer applies, we need to know.

  • Are there any known viruses for Mac?

    Are there any known viruses for Mac?

    Not yet!
    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
    (I have ClamXav set to scan incoming emails, but nothing else.)

  • Windows XP on MAC vs. Virus attack

    I intend to install the Windows XP in my macbook to run some softwares from my work. However, If I install the Windows XP on my macbook, am I gonna be more susceptible to viruses from internet, even accessing the internet on MAC OS X operational system?
    Another questions is: Could my computer speed be impaired if I installed the Windows XP?
    and What are the main problems (if there is some) caused by installing windows XP on Mac?
    Thanks a lot.

    You'll probably want some antivirus program installed on your Windows partition. It's just like any other Windows machine!
    If you do get any viruses/malware/spyware/trojans or what have you, they will not harm your OS X partition.
    Your computer speed shouldn't suffer--I have Windows XP installed on my MacBook and it hasn't slowed my machine down at all.
    One thing to keep in mind is that the trackpad on your MacBook may not work the same way while you're running Windows XP. On my computer, only the trackpad button can click and I can't right-click unless I use an external mouse. Everything else works fine though!
    Hope this helps a bit
    ~Lyssa

  • Hi, i would like to know if my mac has a virus

    hi, i would like to know if my mac has a virus, ´cause in sometimes it works weird

    Ralph is right (of course) about no virus.
    What you are describing seems to be what might happen if all of the system's resources* are gobbled up.
    *When I say "resources" - I mean memory (real and virtual), caching needs, CPU usage etc.
    The web pages you describe have nothing to do with your Mac having been "infected", per se, but that kind of "Pop Over" "Pop Under" malicious JavaScript can certainly gpbble up resources. When you get the Web being mean to you, and have a lot of other APPs open too, you could max out your machine, especially if it is older like mine.
    To help other members answer your question, give as many details as you can.
    Include your Mac Model name and specs such as processor speed, memory, and storage capacity. Please do not include your Serial Number, IMEI, MEID, or other personal information.
    Provide the version numbers of your operating system and relevant applications, for example "OS 10.4.11" , "Quicktime Player 7.6.4",  "Safari 4.1.3"and any other apps you might have open when the misbehavior occurs.
    Describe the problem in detail, and include step-by-step your actions that lead up to °each misbehavior.You seem to be describing at least TWO different bad behaviors
    List any troubleshooting steps you've already tried, or temporary fixes you've discovered.
    CCC
    EDIT(added) Si quieres ser la publicación más cómodo en español, podemos usar Google Translate para entender mejor su respuesta,

  • Safari on Mac frozen with VIRUS FOUND popup

    I was on Safari on Mac and entered a website "invipsuite.com" in the URL window and suddenly my Safari froze with a popup "Virus found - The last website you visited has infected your Mac with a virus. Press OK to begin the repair process" and there is just one button OK. The popup lists the website macupdate.com-apple.menu" and this is the URL I now find in teh URL window.
    I did not click on the OK button, but my Safari is frozen with this pop on it.
    Please HELP!

    For yourself and Mike, there's no adware to be found because it isn't adware. Nor was anything downloaded or installed on your Mac in any way. As the articles explained, it's nothing more than a browser trick that keeps you from moving off the page once there.
    There isn't even the slightest thing to be concerned about. Unless, that is, you actually called the number displayed and gave them your credit card number, or live remote access to your Mac.
    Why Apple hasn't released a fix for these JavaScript loops yet seems strange to me. They certainly know about it, and users who believe these garbage pages, call the phone numbers and/or install the remote access software they convince you to install are getting fleeced daily.

  • Can my Mac pass Windows viruses to other Windows machines on the network

    System Adm is telling me that I cannot connect my Mac to the school network if I am using a private line that is not passing through the school firewall because I could infect his network. Is that truly the case?
    Thanks,
    todd

    In addition to Graham's excellent information (I may be repeating some of it).
    You can spread these by sending infected documents or e-mails to other users.
    Completely true. If you receive Windows malware on your Mac via email, it can't do a thing to OS X, but you can infect a Windows user by forwarding that email with the attachment still intact.
    Running Microsoft VirtualPC for Mac exposes your Mac to all Windows viruses.
    True, but not quite the way it reads. VirtualPC is for running Windows via emulation on your Mac. The Windows environment can be infected the same as any Windows PC. It cannot expose your Mac to those viruses. More specifically, they cannot in any way infect OS X.
    Macro viruses, such as those written for Microsoft Office products, can infect your Mac or destroy data.
    Yes and no. Macro viruses tag along on infected Word documents. I have yet to see or hear of one that can do anything to OS X. So like email Windows malware, you simply become a carrier. When you get a document with a macro virus and you ignore the warning to open the document without loading the macro, it will infect your Normal document (Office X or 2004) the same as it would in Windows. From then on, Word on your Mac will infect all documents you save. One way to avoid that is to set the preferences in Office to never load macros. The other is to disallow macros to load when you open any document that has one (Word will ask you what you want to do). If Office 2008, macros have been removed from the program. You can't infect any new documents, but I don't know if opening a file that already carries macros will be stripped. It may just save them with the file again when you save an existing file with your changes. As far as the last point? No, Word macros cannot destroy data on your Mac. They are all written for Windows and will not run in OS X any more than a Windows program can.
    Implementing Boot Camp and installing Microsoft Windows on your Intel®-based Mac exposes that computer to the same threats as running Windows on a PC.
    Completely true. Windows is Windows. The hardware it's running on makes no difference. The Windows partition on your Mac will be exposed to all Windows malware as a Dell would be.

  • What are some good free virus and malware programs?

    what are some good free virus and malware programs?

    The common census by the old timers on the forum is that you should not have any AV software on your Mac cause its not needed, yet the forums are full of people that have been infected with Malware which the same people help clean afterwards.
    This totally befuddles me.   I take care of quite a few macs and in the past few years have installed Anti Virus software on them and other than Sophos not catching the latest kinds of Malware that are out in the wild, I have not experienced any of the problems that the so called experts claim that they do.
    Over the past few months I have migrated over 50 Macs from using Sophos to now using aVast Free Anti Virus for Mac.  Other than getting more alerts of Windows viruses being found in Mail there has been no downside whatsover.
    I believe in the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. So with that I will recommend that you should have some sort of Anti Virus software on your Mac.  As I said prior, for now I an recommending avast Anti Virus for Mac.  This will protect your Mac from getting infected with malware before you have to come back and ask the experts here how to fix your Mac and get rid of the malware.
    When doing a scan I recommend that you only have it set to only show infections.  Since it cannot read some compressed files and reports them as an error.

  • How can I reset my Mac to default settings? Or how can I reset it to a prior date? My Mac has a virus and I would like to get rid of it. I would appreciate your help concerning this matter.

    How can I reset my Mac to default settings? Or how can I reset it to a prior date? My Mac has a virus and I would like to get rid of it. I would appreciate your help concerning this matter.

    To restore it follow these instructions: What to do before selling or giving away your Mac.
    Before you do the above check out the following;
    Helpful Links Regarding Malware Problems
    If you are having an immediate problem with ads popping up see The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide, AdwareMedic, or Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support.
    Open Safari, select Preferences from the Safari menu. Click on Extensions icon in the toolbar. Disable all Extensions. If this stops your problem, then re-enable them one by one until the problem returns. Now remove that extension as it is causing the problem.
    The following comes from user stevejobsfan0123. I have made minor changes to adapt to this presentation.
    Fix Some Browser Pop-ups That Take Over Safari.
    Common pop-ups include a message saying the government has seized your computer and you must pay to have it released (often called "Moneypak"), or a phony message saying that your computer has been infected, and you need to call a tech support number (sometimes claiming to be Apple) to get it resolved. First, understand that these pop-ups are not caused by a virus and your computer has not been affected. This "hijack" is limited to your web browser. Also understand that these messages are scams, so do not pay any money, call the listed number, or provide any personal information. This article will outline the solution to dismiss the pop-up.
    Quit Safari
    Usually, these pop-ups will not go away by either clicking "OK" or "Cancel." Furthermore, several menus in the menu bar may become disabled and show in gray, including the option to quit Safari. You will likely have to force quit Safari. To do this, press Command + option + esc, select Safari, and press Force Quit.
    Relaunch Safari
    If you relaunch Safari, the page will reopen. To prevent this from happening, hold down the 'Shift' key while opening Safari. This will prevent windows from the last time Safari was running from reopening.
    This will not work in all cases. The shift key must be held at the right time, and in some cases, even if done correctly, the window reappears. In these circumstances, after force quitting Safari, turn off Wi-Fi or disconnect Ethernet, depending on how you connect to the Internet. Then relaunch Safari normally. It will try to reload the malicious webpage, but without a connection, it won't be able to. Navigate away from that page by entering a different URL, i.e. www.apple.com, and trying to load it. Now you can reconnect to the Internet, and the page you entered will appear rather than the malicious one.

  • Does mac need anti-virus software?

    I've been hearing lots of different opinions and I just want a straightforward answer, do macs need anti-virus software, are they prone to threatening infection?

    Macathon1996 wrote:
    Even if I download alot of files, perhaps from "uncertified users"?
    That depends. No anti-virus or anti-malware protection in the world can stop you from downloading and installing software that does whatever it is designed to do. If you want to install a program that wipes your hard disk, you can. If you want to install a program that steals your passwords, you can. There are many legitimate programs that do exactly that.
    Nothing can stop you from installing software on your Mac except you. That's what computers are designed for. The point is that you must always know what you're installing, why you're installing it, what you expect it to do, and how to get rid of it when you don't want it.

  • My mac has a virus yes I'm 100% sure it is one i get al kinds of pop ups only in safari though please guide me on how to reset it or where to go from here in detail new to macs

    My mac has a virus yes I'm 100% sure it is one i get all kinds of pop ups only in safari though please guide me on how to reset it or where to go from here in detail im new to macs

    Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.
    Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

  • Help!!!!! How do I find out if my Mac has a virus

    Help!!!!!! I was searching the web and some window popped out (Apple window) recommending that I download something to do with antivirus. I guess the website that I was about to visit had a virus. I clicked ok and the next thing I know some things started popping out that the website I guess had a virus and that (trojan and other stuff) oh and some window stuff popped out. However, I just pressed clear on everything quit Safari and nothing else has happened. How do I know if my Mac got a virus for sure. So far everything is fine but I just want to make sure. Anybody please, any suggestions!!!!!!
    jarispe

    That is web-phishing. You should avoid such sites. You don't have a virus. Turn on your browser's ad blocker which may help prevent such pop up windows from occurring.

  • I need to scan wirelessly from a MAC (OS 1.7 or higher) through Adobe Acrobat Pro X (or higher).  Have discovered that all in one printers say they are MAC compatible but will only scan when connected with a USB cable.  Would prefer a laser, color, all in

    I need to scan wirelessly from a MAC (OS 1.7 or higher) through Adobe Acrobat Pro X (or higher).  Have discovered that all in one printers say they are MAC compatible but will only scan when connected with a USB cable.  Would prefer a laser, color, all in one.  Does anyone have printer suggestions that you know will scan wirelessly?

    Great information.  
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