Do I need an antivirus program?

This is my first apple. I am curious about viruses. I know, macs safe for Windows viruses. But what about mac viruses? Should I use a antivirus program?

Ronald Burgundy
Data loss is the least of your concerns if you get infected these days. Most malware is used for fraud and spying. A backup won't help you when some nigerian has raided your bank account.
You don't deal with malware much, especially on windows based platforms.  Malware sometimes can't be defeated by various fixes as sugested by user forums.  When the time comes that you sinply want to go back to the point before something serious happened you can do a restore.  On the Mac it is extremely easy to protect yourself in this manner by simply doing a full backup on a bootable volume.  Then everytthing is back to the point before you were impacted.
BTW why do you bring up Nigeria, we aren't discussing email fraud related to "too good to be true" con jobs.  

Similar Messages

  • Do I need an antivirus program like McAfee with firefox?

    I see firefox has antivirus, but will it take the place of my McAfee when I switch from IE, also will it work with my mail provider and one last question how do I make the lettering on the web page larger? thank you.

    Firefox does not have antivirus, it is just a web browser. You still need an antivirus program and a firewall. Firefox does include phishing protection, by default when you visit a site it checks it against a list maintained by Google to see if the site is a known web forgery or known to contain malware, it will then warn you about the site.
    It should work with web based mail sites, though some web based mail sites may have some differences using Firefox compared to IE.
    To make the lettering larger see the [[text zoom]] and [[page zoom]] articles. If you want all sites to have larger text, you can use an add-on such as [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2592/ NoSquint].

  • Do I need other antivirus program with Firefox & MS Active Sync?

    Our computer guy removed AVG and installed Firefox and MS Active Sync on husband's lap top...said that was all he needed, but were is the antivirus protection????
    He is running XP Business version.

    If you are using Windows XP, I'd recommend using a anti-virus program. [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials Microsoft Security Essentials] is good, free and plays nicely with Firefox.

  • Do I need an antivirus program on my ipad 3?

    Is antivirus needed on ipad? If so what?

    iPad Security
    http://www.esecurityplanet.com/trends/article.php/3936411/Top-10-Fun-Facts-About -iPad-Security.htm

  • Anyone using avast free antivirus program and finding it a good one?

    Needing an antivirus program for my Macbook and wondered about downloading the Avast free program.  Anyone using it and finding it a good program?  Wanted to see if it is too good to be true, especially given the 'price'.  Thanks for any response.

    Don't waste your money.
    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: The User Tip seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
    More useful information can also be found here:
    www.thesafemac.com/mmg

  • Do I need to install an antivirus program on my new MBP?

    I have just purchased a new MacBook Pro.  I see that Symantec has a free Norton antivirus app for the Mac OS; do I need to install an antivirus program, or does my operating system come with one already installed?
    Thanks.
    stork46

    I'm not disagreeing with you by any means, but why wouldn't you recommend Norton? I've read tons of reviews and they say that it is competent and I'm planning to get it. For my PC [I've never had Antivirus on my current 2009 MBP] I've used Kapersky.
    Just curious, as Mac is getting somne popularity so viruses are bound to pop up [more often] for Mac in the future, and I'm trying to future proof my Mac for at least 3-4 years.

  • Do I need to download any antivirus Program for IPad 2, which program is better?

    Do I need to download any antivirus Program for IPad 2, which program is better?

    But you could have viruses that may not effect an iOS device or even a Mac, but could easily be unwittingly passed on to PC users. So, if you send and receive a lot of email with attachments,and many of your receivers are PC users, you may consider whether you want to risk forwarding them a virus, etc.
    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/virusbarrier/id436111378?mt=8

  • Does Macbook Pro need an antivirus? And if so what program is recommended?

    Ok, I've been reading a lot of articles debating over whether or not MBP needs an antivirus, long story short I came to the place where I figured the more knowledable people could help.
    So does MBP need an antivirus? And if so which one would be recommended?

    Yes and No
    It depends upon the version of OS X, what Apple is doing to what OS X version under the hood, the compliance with corporate or school policy, if your dealing with Windows files or not.
    It depends upon what kind of anti-virus: always on/at boot restrictive types, or run as you need it types.
    It's also depends based upon current threat levels and if Apple is responding or not to current threats, which they sometimes don't do fast enough.
    Gatekeeper is not going to clean Windows files of their filth, it only restricts programs runing on your machine from Apple or Apple vetted developers.
    There is PLENTY of great software out there that Apple won't approve or on the AppStore or want to deal with Apple.
    LittleSnitch, SnapZPro X and so forth won't get Apple clearance, doesn't mean they are malware, doesn't mean one should think they are no good or to deny themselves running them if one wishes.
    Gatekeeper is B.S., it's supposed to give Apple a 2/3 advantage in deciding what runs on your machine.
    OS X has been very secure for many years, even OS 9 etc was very secure, there is no need for Gatekeeper, never has been.
    Read my User Tip about the subject.
    Harden your Mac against malware attacks

  • Does Macbook Air '12 need an Antivirus or Antimalware program?

    Does Macbook Air '12 need an Antivirus or Antimalware program?  If yes, what is most used?

    This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an attacker who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
    All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect 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. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been another layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't actually been tested by Apple (unless it comes from the Mac App Store), but you can be sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. For most practical purposes, applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed can be considered safe.
    Note, however, that there are some caveats concerning Gatekeeper:
    It can be disabled or overridden by the user.
    It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets (see below.)
    It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    For more information about Gatekeeper, see this Apple Support article. That being said, the best defense against malware is your own intelligence. All known malware on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect 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 a “codec,” “plug-in,” or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, 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. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn users who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    “Cracked” copies of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.
    Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
    Java on the network (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related) is a weak point in the security of any operating system. If a Java web plugin is not installed, don't install it unless you really need it. If it is installed, you should disable it (not JavaScript) in your web browsers. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This setting is mandatory in OS X 10.5.8 or earlier, because Java in those obsolete versions has known security flaws that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. The flaws will never be fixed. Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java can never be fully trusted, even if no vulnerabilities are publicly known at the moment.
    Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
    Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" 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 the free software ClamXav — nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
    In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability and poor performance.
    By modifying the system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. Using it to delete or move email messages can corrupt the Mail database. Such messages must be deleted from within the Mail application. ClamXav is not needed for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. If you don't need to do that, avoid it. Windows malware can't harm you directly. Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
    It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, like a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use.

  • Do i need antivirus program for imac

    do i have to put antivirus program my imac?

    No. If you want to check it for Windows viruses, download and run ClamXav.
    (70725)

  • Where can I find a antivirus program for my Mac Book Pro?

    Can anyone help me?
    I would like to know where I can find a antivirus program that apple provide. I need to clean up my mac and install a antivirus program.
    Thank you :-)

    So far all of the "cleanup my mac" software I have tested has been a dismal failure.
    They either don't do anywhere near what they claim they will do or else they do dangerous stuff without even asking your permission first.
    For these reasons I recommend most strongly that you avoid them all.
    Allan

  • Do I need a antivirus for iPad

    Do I need an antivirus for my iPad? How and where do I get it? Thanks*

    There is no known malware or viruses for iOS, and the system's architecture does not allow unauthorized programming to run.
    As long as you don't jailbreak your device, you have nothing to worry about.

  • What is the best antivirus program for mac

    Can somebody tell me what the best antivirus program is at this moment for macbook air?

    1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
    2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
    The following caveats apply to XProtect:
    It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
    It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
    It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
    A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
    An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
    For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
    4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
    5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
    That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
    Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, 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. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
    Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
    Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
    Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
    Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
    Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
    Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
    7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software  ClamXav— nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
    In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    8. ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
    ClamXav is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
    A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
    ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
    ClamXav may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
    9. The greatest harm done by security software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging "zero-day" threats, but if they get a false sense of security from it, they may feel free to do things that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
    10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

  • What is the most recent word on antivirus programs?

    Are Macs still pretty much immune, or should we be considering using an antivirus program; and if so, what?  I know that the word used to be that Mac users didn't need to worry too much but don't know if that still holds true.
    Thanks, in advance, for your opinions/suggestions!
    Linda

    The word still is that AV software on a Mac running OS X causes more problems then is can solve. At the current time the are no virus that are capable of attacking OS X.
    Allan

  • Do i need a antivirus for my mac pro?

    do i need a antivirus for my mac pro?

    do i need a antivirus for my mac pro?
    At this time, you do not need it. There are ways that your Mac can get infected, but anti-virus software will not necessarily protect you, and certainly won't protect you better than other measures you could take instead. When it comes to anti-virus software, you have to balance the benefit of an added layer of security against the liklihood of problems caused by running anti-virus software, and have to also consider the effectiveness of the anti-virus software. See my Mac Malware Guide for more details. If, after reading that, you decide that you would like to use anti-virus software as an added layer of security, use one of the programs it recommends.

Maybe you are looking for