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.
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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 Windows 8.1 Users Need Third-Party Anti-Malware Software?

Do Windows 8.1 Users Need Third-Party Anti-Malware Software?

It depend. Until you make decision update your Defender regularly and stick with general security measures.
Regards
Milos

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!!

I Opened A Strange Attachment, Do I need To Install Anti Virus Software?

I have Yahoo Mail and recently received some emails from myself with strange attachments. Similar emails were sent to random contacts in my Yahoo contact list. I did not send these emails. When I changed my email password, these emails stopped. However, I'm worried my iMac G5 (OS 10.6.4) has a virus because I opened one of the attachments. Also, could a worm virus on my IMac have caused these emails? Yahoo advised me to run anti-virus software. Do I need to run anti-virus software and if so, which one? I've been reading online that anti virus software can cause more harm than good and make your mac "buggy," whatever that means.

P NewYork wrote:
I've been reading online that anti virus software can cause more harm than good and make your mac "buggy," whatever that means.
Yes, you read right! There are no known viruses that attack OS X and other exploits are very rare.
It sounds like your email address is being spoofed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoofing_attack
This means that infected PC is going through its contact list and sending spoofed as that address.
There's nothing you can do but alert your PC friends.
EDIT: Are these emails actually being sent by your Mac? Check in Sent mail folder?
If you feel you MUST run AV software to prove you have nothing , do a scan with ClamXav a mac friendly freeware app.
-mj
Message was edited by: macjack

Do I need to run anti-viral program after trying to open a spam attachment?

I was tricked by a spam email and clicked on a link, which did not open. I've been advised to delete the email (done), change my password (done), and run anti-viral program (not done, and never have). What, if anything, should I do?

You don't need to run antivirus software after that. Just be more careful in the future.
(114282)

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)

Do i need to install anti virus software for imac

Ive just brough a imac and installed microsoft office for mac onto it. Do i need anti virus protection?

Probably not necessary. There is virtually no malware affecting OS X. But it would be worth your while to read this user tip: Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security.

Do I "Need" to Use Anti-Virus Software?

A user in another forum asked me this question. I realize this is hardly a new topic, but below was my answer. I figured I would post it here and get your thoughts as well. Perhaps this and your comments will be helpful for others with the same question.
One question; I do not have an antivirus installed. Does a Mac need an antivirus installed? if yes, what would you recommend?
Does a Mac "need" antivirus software? Though this can be a controversial topic with some, my simple answer is "No". Personally, in the some 20 years I have been using Macs I have never installed an antivirus program. During that same time I have never been infected by a Mac-targeted virus/trojan/worm etc.
That is not to say that trojans and vulnerabilities have not existed. But the truth is, unlike PCs, Macs simply do not make good targets for these kinds of attacks. For the most part, for a Mac to become compromised a user has to permit it by lowering their defenses or manually installing some infected software package. On the other hand many PCs can become infected without any effort on the users part. Thus the need for every PC to be running antivirus software. After everything has been said and done, the truth is attacks on the Mac have simply not been very effective. Whereas, a PC virus can be spread worldwide within hours and days.
Macs also enjoy the benefit of being a less attractive target for hackers. If you are a virus designer, you want your product to have the most impact, and make headlines. As a result you are going to target the largest sector of the computing population - PCs. Additionally, most of the more recent attacks by hackers have been to establish what are called 'botnets'. These are large numbers of compromised PCs connected together via the internet, all controlled by one or more criminal entities. Most of these PC owners are unaware that their computers has been silently taken over to be used for gleaning information for identity theft or to distribute spam email worldwide. Since Macs are a completely different platform, and their numbers significantly fewer than PCs, it's simply not worth the effort to design software to include Macs in these botnets.
That doesn't mean that I do not observe safe computing practices. Think twice before downloading any file being offered by 3rd-party websites. If it is not from a known/trusted website then avoid it. Carefully, review emails you receive from unknown senders. Are there attachments you were not expecting to receive? DO NOT click on them. Avoid passing on chain emails of cute pictures, clever jokes, and interesting facts. These kinds of emails can actually be very effective ways for hackers to distribute hidden computer viruses because they know people can't resist passing on these kinds of email messages. In nearly every instance, I will read these kinds of emails, and then hit Delete.
Avoid advertising your primary email address to the world. That is, resist using your email address to fill-out contest forms or signing up for websites or various offers that are simply attempts at gleaning personal information. Guard your email address like you would any other personal information. If you must submit an email address to an unknown entity, use a special email address (or alias) set up just for these instances. Then when that email account becomes clogged with spam, close it and setup another one. But reserve your primary email address just for family, friends, & business use.
Finally, antivirus software for the Mac is notoriously problematic. At best, it simply slows your system down. At worst, it introduces points of failure and crashes that are simply not necessary. And such software often interferes with normal processes such as Time Machine backups, MobileMe syncing, and file transfers. Also, antivirus software can only protect you from 'known' threats. If there are no legitimate 'known' threats to the Mac right now, what are you protecting yourself against? If a genuinely virulent new virus/trojan suddenly appears among the Mac community, then you will either, buy antivirus software at that point, or already be infected, at which point you will buy antivirus software at that point. But running antivirus software now will not protect you against an unknown threat
Some will argue that, while the Mac itself is less likely to become infected, you should still run antivirus software as it is designed to catch PC viruses that you might pass on to PC users. That is a personal decision. However, my position is this, if I'm going to observe save computing practices, then I am unlikely to pass on any PC viruses to begin with. Why slow down my own system for the benefit of others if I'm unlikely to behave in a way that will compromise their computers?
So, again, while it is a personal choice, the above answer is why I, personally, do not run antivirus software at this time. Cheers!

Hi Glenn. I just wanted to let you know that your post in the subject line above helped me save the life of my wife's MacBook Pro (early 2008 15" Intel Core 2 Duo/Snow Leopard 10.6.2). The OS was messed up beyond repair - I believe it's due to the fact that her iPhoto library is on an external HD combined with her using iPhoto as her screen saver, which caused some sort of permissions anomaly that over time became irreparable. Not sure though, but the thing was practically unusable. In any case, thank you thank you thank you for how precise your explanation was - I followed it to the letter and lo and behold was able to wipe the drive, re-install Snow Leopard, and restore it from the Time Machine backup. So you should know that although you were writing at the time about Leopard, the exact same process worked perfectly for Snow Leopard as well. Thank you again!

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?

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

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.

Shall i buy anti virus software for my MAC pro lion

Do I need to install anti-virus software for my Mac pro?

You do not need any anti-virus for a Mac.
Do not download any software from the web to protect your Mac.
Apple releases updates that will offer all the protection a Mac needs.
Keep the software updated.
Many in this community use ClamXav and recommend using it.
Best.

What is the best anti virus software to use with OS X 10.8?

What is the best anti virus software to use with OS X 10.8? Norton is slowing my iMac down and I'm constantly being bombarded by blocking messages for programs I don't recognize.
Thanks

Get rid of Norton a/k/a Symantec. It is one of the worst pieces of trash you can install on a Mac.
You do not need any additional anti-virus software than is already designed into OS X to protect your Mac against malware. I assume you paid enough for your iMac and that's part of what you paid.
If you use Windows, or are concerned about harboring viruses that target Windows, or care about friends who use Windows, then get ClamXav. It's in the App Store and it is free.
Since friends don't let friends use Windows, I have no use for it.

Anti theft software for s60 v5?

Is there any good effective anti-theft solution for the nokia s60v5? I use the nokia 5233. The software should preferably be free. thanks.

There is also the F-secure Anti Theft software for free from Ovi Store. Mind you now that none of these will actually get you your phone back. But they will stop the thief from accessing your information.
You should also just consider just using the built in security features on your phone in Security Settings>Phone and Sim Card. Here you can set the phone to lock when the sim card is changed and you can also set thephone to lock when you send an sms to it.

Do I need a security/anti-viral software?

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