Best malware remover/anti-virus for OS X

I think I downloaded Flash Player Pro (non-Adobe product) virus.  What is the best anti-virus/malware removal tool to use on Yosemite?

What, specifically did you do? Fake Adobe Flash Player update alerts are very common. However, unless you went to the linked page, downloaded the fake update and then opened it, it could not harm you.
If you did open something downloaded from that fake update site, it's unlikely to be malware. If it were malware, Mac OS X would have blocked it if it were known malware, and in this case anti-virus software wouldn't help you either.
It's more likely that this fake update would have been adware, which is not well-detected by Mac OS X or anti-virus software. If you are having symptoms of adware (ads being injected in sites that should not have ads, redirects to a different search engine than the one you usually use, etc), then you should be able to remove it by following the instructions in my Adware Removal Guide.
(Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my sites, TheSafeMac.com and AdwareMedic.com, in the form of buttons allowing for donations. Donations are not required to use my site or software.)

Similar Messages

  • What best free anti-virus for imac?, What best free anti-virus for imac?

    What best free anti-virus for imac?,

    There are no viruses that can affect Apple OS X, but Trojans are a different matter.
    Please read on:
    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-1848
    Regarding MacScan, First update the MacScan malware definitions before scanning. You can also contact their support team for any additional support - [email protected]
    Security of OS X generally:
    http://www.apple.com/macosx/security/
    http://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/os/applemac/I731-007R-2007.pdf
    Security Configuration for Version 10.5 Leopard:
    http://images.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/Leopard_Security_Config_2nd_Ed.pdf
    This Blog entry is also worth a read:
    http://blog.damballa.com/?p=1055

  • What is the best anti virus for an iMAC with OS 10.7

    What is the best anti virus for an iMAC with OS 10.7

    Just a +1 for Kappy's suggestions. Antivirus software simply is not necessary for OS X. If you are interested in reading more an informative article is Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security.

  • What is the best mac cleaner and anti virus for mac pro.

    what is the best mac cleaner and anti virus for mac pro.

    OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it updated 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.
    Disable Java in Safari > Preferences > Security.
    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.

  • Best Anti-Virus for Mac.

    My new MacBook Pro is getting delievered soon, I want a few opinions on what the best Anti-Virus for it will be. I know that Macs are more secure than Windows, but I still want to have an Anti-Virus on it as I've already had a virus on my current Mac. I have been using Trend Micro on my Mac as I got it free from a rep in my old job. I'm wondering if in the kast year that I've not been working with computers and Macs, has there been a better Anti-Virus made for them? I'd like one that also covers identity theft etc. A few answers would be good for this.... Thanks :-)

    This is a very contentious issue, that you will always get different points of view.
    IMO, antivirus software is not essential at this stage, however, this does not mean that you should blindly 'surf the net' without a care in the world.
    The most recent exploit attempts have used flaws in Java, so the first thing I do is not use Java. Apple does not install it by default, so if you have a new install, then you won't have Java installed, so you cannot be effected by this these types of exploits.
    If you do have Java installed, then make sure you have the latest updates from Apple installed, as they introduced features to protect you from these exploits, but also turn off Java if you have not used it after some time.
    Java is not used much these days in Web sites, so unless you need it specifically for a site you visit, you probably don't even need it on you Mac at all.
    Another recent flash exploit used a default setting in Safari to bypass OSX security settings, this being 'Open "Safe" files after downloading'. Go to Safari > Preferences > General and untick the setting at the bottom of the window, so this exploit cannot be utilised on your Mac.
    With Flash, only download it from the Adobe website, and if you get notified by a site that you need an update, I personally go to Adode's web site myself and download updates manually
    Other tools you can use to make you Web safer, is to install to extensions to Safari, which are quite good.
    WOT - Web of Trust. This is a safety rating of a website to indicate if they are trustworthy or not, Green has been rated as safe, Red not. It is not perfect, but at least gives you an idea if the site is safe or not. As a rule, I don't go to Red sites.
    Click to Flash - This prevents Flash from automatically running on sites, and you need to actually click on it on the page to download the Flash. This has two effects, it doesn't load anoying flash onto sites, unless you want it and two, if there are any exploits out there using flash, they can't automatically load.
    Ad-Block - Blocks many anoying web ads, if you don't like them.
    To install Select Safari > Safari Extensions and search for your desired extension
    If you feel you want an Anti-virus application, ClamAV sounds like it is good and it's free without over resoursing your Mac. Remember though, that any AV application is only as good as its database, so if something new comes out it may not protect you anyway. From what I read, many of the AV apps only protect you from Windows viruses anyway, which don't effect Macs in the first place, so seem quite redundant to me.
    Also in the background, Apple have a Blacklist of known issues, which they can update to you automatically when new threats are found. If you attempt to install something from one of these, you are notified by a promenent Red message warning you of the issue, allowing you to abort the installation, before it become an issue.
    Your biggest AV is you, don't install applications your not sure about. One good thing about the OS, is that to install any app, you need to give your password. If you are not trying to install something at the time, don't give your password over and the app cannot install and cause you any harm.
    Don't install MacKeeper if you come across it, its not what it appears, has no ethics and is basically unnecessary.
    One thing I also do is use 2 web browsers. I use Safari for my normal everyday browing, and I use FireFox for secure sites such as Banking etc. Firefox I have set to record no history, passwords etc, so there is no record on my computer of this type of information for anyone to access. This protection is more if anyone get physical access to my computer, which in my world, that is entirely possible.
    The link AnaMusic posted is a great wealth of knowledge and deffinetly looking at.
    As I said, it a contentious issue and there are many different opinions, so I not saying that everything I say is gospel either, just my opinion.
    A

  • Best free anti-virus for Windows XP

    I have an old Toshiba laptop which still uses Windows XP. What are the sites for the best free anti-virus for Windows XP SP2?
    Thanks,
    Bob

    Hi,
    Please check the following list:
       http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.as​p
    Sorry I can't work out this question: "My computer is windows xp but i have recent downloads for windows 8 is this right??????"
    Regards.
    BH
    **Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
    Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

  • What is the best anti virus for iphone 5?

    what is the best anti virus for iphone 5?

    I concur with Tonefox; worthless. To preserve battery the best thing you can do is shut down apps that constantly run in the background and fetch data from servers elsewhere; the Facebook app being a prime example. Apple has more tips here:
    http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html
    As to clearing memory, there's almost never a need, and if there is a simple restart of the iPhone will suffice.
    Regards.

  • I Do I need an anti-virus for my macbook pro or not and which is the best anti-virus for it if needed and i can download it from which site?

    Hello everyone.I just wanted to know that do i need an anti virus for my macbook pro and if yes then which is the best anti-virus for it and i can download the anti-virus software from which site? Thanks for everyones help for my previous question..it really helped me.

    There's no know virus that can impact a Mac, but if you run Windows via Parallels or Boot Camp then you're just as vulbnerable as any PC user.
    If you want to scan your system to be sure check out the free utilities ClamXav and Sophos Anti Virus

  • Anti virus for iMac with OS X Lion

    Hi;
    I have an iMac with OS X Lion,I'd like to know if Apple really offer a free anti virus for me, or if not so , where can I find a proper anti virus for my iMac?
    Best regards;
    Lama Yahya

    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 and Leopard from:
    http://www.clamxav.com/
    The new version for Snow Leopard and Lion is available here:
    http://www.clamxav.com/index.php?page=v2beta
    Note: ClamAV adds a new user group to your Mac. That makes it a little more difficult to remove than some apps. You’ll find an uninstaller link in ClamXav’s FAQ page online.
    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

  • Anti virus for mac or not?

    Do we need an anti virus for mac or not? if so, which one is the best?

    That's a complex issue, with no easy yes or no answers. First and foremost, you have to learn how to protect yourself... all else is secondary. See my Mac Malware Guide for information about this sort of thing, and for some suggestions if you opt to use anti-virus software.
    (Fair disclosure: The Safe Mac is my site, and contains a Donate button, so I may receive compensation for providing links to The Safe Mac. Donations are not required.)

  • Malware and Anti-virus

    My company has a policy that we can use our personal laptops as long as it has some form of anti-malware and anti-virus software on it.
    I am fairly new to the mac world, 18 years of working with government issued windows laptops. Could someone point me in the right direction.
    Thanks.

    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 and Leopard from (on no account install Norton Anti-Virus on a Mac running OS X):
    http://www.clamxav.com/
    The new version for Snow Leopard is available here:
    http://www.clamxav.com/index.php?page=v2beta
    (Note: ClamAV adds a new user group to your Mac. That makes it a little more difficult to remove than some apps. You’ll find an uninstaller link in ClamXav’s FAQ page online.)
    However, 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 here:
    http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojanosxdnschanger.shtml
    SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X. It's available here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/
    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 has recently been published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
    http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&cPath=11&productsid=174
    Also, beware of MacSweeper:
    MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer. It is the first known "rogue" application for the Mac OS X operating system. The software was discovered by F-Secure, a Finland based computer security software company on January 17, 2008
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacSweeper
    On June 23, 2008 this news reached Mac users:
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/23/mac_trojan/
    More on Trojans on the Mac here:
    http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63574.html?welcome=1214487119
    This was published on July 25, 2008:
    Attack code that exploits flaws in the net's addressing system are starting to circulate online, say security experts.
    The code could be a boon to phishing gangs who redirect web users to fake bank sites and steal login details.
    In light of the news net firms are being urged to apply a fix for the loop-hole before attacks by hi-tech criminals become widespread.
    Net security groups say there is anecdotal evidence that small scale attacks are already happening.
    Further details here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7525206.stm
    A further development was the Koobface malware that can be picked up from Facebook (already a notorious site for malware, like many other 'social networking' sites like Twitter etc), as reported here on December 9, 2008:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7773000/7773340.stm
    You can keep up to date, particularly about malware present in some downloadable pirated software, at the Securemac site:
    http://www.securemac.com/
    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!
    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/
    As to the recent 'Conficker furore' affecting Intel-powered computers, MacWorld recently had this to say:
    http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?email&NewsID=25613
    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. A recent example is of malware distributed through innocent looking free screensavers: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/malware-watch-free-mac-os-x-screensavers-bund led-with-spyware/6560?tag=nl.e589
    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 an AV application.
    4. Use Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.
    5. Stop using LimeWire. LimeWire (and other peer-to-peer sharing applications and download torrents) 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. After the release of iWork '09 earlier this year, a Trojan was discovered circulating in pirated copies of Apple's productivity suite of applications (as well as pirated copies of Adobe's Photoshop CS4). Security professionals now believe that the botnet (from iServices) has become active. Although the potential damage range is projected to be minimal, an estimated 20,000 copies of the Trojan have been downloaded. SecureMac offer a simple and free tool for the removal of the iBotNet Trojan available here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/files/iServicesTrojanRemovalTool.dmg
    Also, 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
    NOTE: Snow Leopard, OS 10.6.x, offers additional security to that of previous versions of OS X, but not to the extent that you should ignore the foregoing:
    http://www.apple.com/macosx/security/
    Apple's 10.6.4 operating system upgrade silently updated 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.
    http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2010/06/18/apple-secretly-updates
    Finally, 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.

  • Do i need a anti virus for my mac

    Do i need anti-virus for my iMac? I am running leopard, its an 2008 all in one 20" hd screen

    Hello, not really, but if you like...
    ClamXAV, free Virus scanner...
    http://www.clamxav.com/
    Free Sophos...
    http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools.aspx
    Little Snitch, stops/alerts outgoing stuff...
    http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html
    Get MacScan...
    http://macscan.securemac.com/
    Disable Java in your Browser settings, not JavaScript.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5241?viewlocale=en_US
    http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en-GB&answer=142064
    http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/How%20to%20turn%20off%20Java%20applets
    Flashback - Detect and remove the uprising Mac OS X Trojan...
    http://www.mac-and-i.net/2012/04/flashback-detect-and-remove-uprising.html
    In order to avoid detection, the installer will first look for the presence of some antivirus tools and other utilities that might be present on a power user's system, which according to F-Secure include the following:
    /Library/Little Snitch
    /Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode
    /Applications/VirusBarrier X6.app
    /Applications/iAntiVirus/iAntiVirus.app
    /Applications/avast!.app
    /Applications/ClamXav.app
    /Applications/HTTPScoop.app
    /Applications/Packet Peeper.app
    If these tools are found, then the malware deletes itself in an attempt to prevent detection by those who have the means and capability to do so. Many malware programs use this behavior, as was seen in others such as the Tsunami malware bot.
    http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57410096-263/how-to-remove-the-flashback-ma lware-from-os-x/
    http://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5844&p=70660#p70660
    The most current flashback removal instructions are F-Secure's Trojan-Downloader:OSX/Flashback.K.
    https://www.securelist.com/en/blog/208193454/Flashfake_Removal_Tool_and_online_c hecking_site
    More bad news...
    https://www.securelist.com/en/blog/208193467/SabPub_Mac_OS_X_Backdoor_Java_Explo its_Targeted_Attacks_and_Possible_APT_link
    Removal for 10.5...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1534

  • Can anybody recommend an anti-virus for my macbook pro

    Can anybody recommend an anti-virus for my macbook pro
    I have started to get attachments to my fsmail account from known sites but when opened I'm greeted by a a sentence in French that has the words orange and virus in it. Unfortunately I cannot speak French so are unsure what it is. I believe that my email and possibly my computer has been attacked?
    Any views recommendations would be most welcome.
    Trevor

    This forum is for questions about the Communities themselves. You'll usually be more likely to get a quick and helpful answer if you post in the  forum dedicated for your product. Anyway, my standard antivirus spiel:
    At this time there have been no confirmed Mac OS X viruses (subject to the semantic debate about whether the old iChat exploit, now long since blocked, was 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.
    The most common exploit is a recent outbreak of "scareware" that people are encountering while web surfing. This "scareware" pops up and claims that your system is infected with viruses, prompts you to download their "scanner", then tells you that you need to purchase their paid software to remove them. These fake applications, appearing by many names including Mac Defender, Apple Security Center, Apple Web Security, and many others, do nothing at all other than turn off the fake warnings once they have your money. DO NOT fall for these.
    Security precautions for Mac OS X mostly are common sense: don't download and run files from sites you don't know, don't fall for any "you have viruses" messages, 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 with a non-trivial password and keep that password secure. In addition, don't leave your system available in a public place and unattended where someone unauthorized could use it and potentially install malware (such a policy is also a precaution against theft).
    It is possible for a Mac user to inadvertently forward a Windows virus to a PC user though you'd have to do it manually so the above precautions would probably prevent such virus-spreading, 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. iAntivirus has also been recommended by others, though I have no personal experience with it.
    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.
    Regards.
    Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

  • Do we need anti virus for a mac??, do we need anti virus for a mac??

    do v need anti virus for mac?

    Hi..
    Not so much a virus to be concerned about on a Mac but malware is.
    Good article here > Thomas' Corner : Mac Virus Guide

  • How to uninstall norton anti virus for mac

    how to uninstall norton anti virus for mac

    A little late to the game, but .sit files are Stuffit files as developed by http://www.stuffit.com/ Apple used to use this compression format, but does no longer, and no longer includes the free Stuffit Expander program made by Stuffit.com. If you need to extract an old .sit uninstaller, get it from Stuffit.com. And also any company making such a program for Mac OS X should seriously consider upgrading their downloads to be .dmg.zip files instead, which are more easy to extract on Mac OS X without downloading extra software.

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