Do i need a virus scanner for Mac?

I hear lots of "no's" and a few "yes'"  Is this OS still safe or do I need to scan for malware?  Any suggestions/thoughts?

You do not currently need one. There are no active viruses affecting OS X.
Helpful Links Regarding Virus 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.

Similar Messages

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    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.

  • / / / What's a GOOD Virus Scanner for Macs? / / /

    hello.
    @ the moment i'm sort of looking for something free, something i can use in a short notice. does anyone know of a good or even great virus scanner/cleaner for the mac? and whats the best one even if i had to pay for it?
    this is me just wanting to be safe. my macbook has been acting funny, so i thought i'd just try. thanks for the time.

    ClamXav is a good free one for the Mac.

  • Do you need anti virus software for mac book pro

    Is it true that the new mac book pro computers are now more susceptable to virus attacks and malware then the Mac books made  5 years ago.
    If this is true what is being recommended to protect your mac book pro?
    thank you

    OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any security application. Don't use any commercial antivirus. If you want more information about OS X and malware, see > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
    If you want an antivirus, use ClamXav or Sophos, but as I said, you don't need these applications.
    Now, there are some viruses for OS X. However, they are not serious, so you just need to keep your Mac updated, because the most recent Mac OS X versions include important security improvements

  • Do I need anti-virus software for my Mac Book Pro (purchased in Sept, 2011)?

    McAfee's website ...
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    What does McAfee sell? AV software so of course they are going to attempt to sell it to you. Their only interest is getting your money and nothing more then that. That web site is a total crock.
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    ....desperating trying to install itunes 10.7, but it asked me to install Mac OS X 10.6.8.  I did, but then it said that I needed to install Java for Mac OS x 10.6.  I did that and now it keeps saying 'this update requires Mac OS X version 10.6??

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  • My Lightroom 3 DVD is broken, i need a Download File for Mac. I still have my Serialnumber.

    My Lightroom 3 DVD is broken, i need a Download File for Mac. I still have my Serialnumber.

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  • Does it exist a wireless scanner for mac 10.8 ?

    does it exist a wireless scanner for mac 10.8 ?

    There is no Airscan :-)
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  • I have a Mac os x 10.7.4 which has Java 32 and 64 bit installed.  Am unable to deposit to bank online getting a message stating I need Java 32 bit for Mac, confused???

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    MadMAC0 posted at https://discussions.apple.com/message/20107182?ac_cid=tw123456#20107182 that:
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  • Do I need trend smart surfing for mac for the macbook pro

    do I need trent smart surfing for mac for my macbook pro?

    That's totally up to you. If you have the need to restrict the web sites that can be visited, then a product such as Trend may be worth the cost. If you are only worried about malware from your own surfing, then I consider the price for Trend excessive and unnecessary. The freeware ClamXav and a bit of common sense - about what you download and from where, not falling for scams and fakes that ask you to provide personal information, and in keeping your operating system up to date -  should be sufficient.
    Regards.

  • I would like to take excel classes / tutorials (intermediate to advanced) and practice on this computer. Could someone clarify, what software and operating system is needed? Can I just use numbers? Do I need to download Excel for Macs and use Camp Boot?

    I would like to take excel classes / tutorials (intermediate to advanced) and practice on this computer. Could someone clarify, what software and operating system is needed? Can I just use numbers? Do I need to download Excel for Macs and use Camp Boot?

    Numbers is a joke compared to Excel. If I were you I would find a class/tutorial first, find out what they use (and it won't be Numbers) and see if you need the Mac or Windows version of Excel. Note that Excel is not sold as a seperate product from the Microsoft Office suites.
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  • 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

  • Do i need a virus program for me mac book

    do i need an anti virus or clean up program for my mac book pro?

    Mac OS X versions 10.6.7 and later have built-in detection of known Mac malware in downloaded files. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware.
    The most effective defense against malware is your own intelligence. All known Mac malware takes the form of trojans that can only operate if the victim is duped into running them. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. How do you know a source is untrustworthy?
    Any website that prompts you to install software, such as a “codec” or “plug-in,” that comes from that same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy.
    A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim.
    “Cracked” versions of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.
    Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
    Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
    Never install any commercial "anti-virus" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use ClamXav -- nothing else.

  • What is the best virus software for mac

    I currently do not have Virus Protection for my Mac, what is recommmended?

    I currently do not have Virus Protection for my Mac,
    Yes you do. This is a common misconception.
    There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:
    You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
    Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
    Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.
    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 "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.
    Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
    Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
    "Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.
    If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.
    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 iCloud, 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.
    The same precaution applies to Adobe Flash Player. Newly discovered Flash vulnerabilities appear almost weekly.
    Beware spontaneous popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > check "Block popup windows".
    Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but unsolicited popups are commonly used to deceive people into installing unwanted software they would never intentionally install.
    Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
    If you ever receive a popup window indicating that your Mac is infected with some ick or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
    The same goes for a spontaneously appearing dialog insisting that you upgrade your video player right this instant. Such popups are frequently associated with sites that promise to deliver "free" movies or other copyrighted content that is not normally "free".
    The more insistent it is that you upgrade or install something, the more likely it is to be a scam. Close the window or tab and forget 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. Most of these attempts are pathetic and are easily recognized, but that hasn't stopped prominent public figures from recently succumbing to this age-old scam.
    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.

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