Do I need antivirus on my MacBook?

Do I need an antivirus software on my Macbook?

No. There arre no virus on the Mac so there is nothing for the AV software to do but cause problems on your Mac. It will do that extremely well. So if you prefer to avoid the problems, don't install AV software.
Allan

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  • Do i need security/antivirus for mac macbook pro 15/ 2013

    do i need security/antivirus for my macbook pro 15 2013

    do i need security/antivirus for my macbook pro 15 2013
    If you are using OS X you already have it.
    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.
    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.

  • Do Macbook Pros need antivirus protection? if so, what is the best antivirus protection software?

         Do Macbook Pros need antivirus protection? if so, what is the best antivirus protection software?

    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.

  • I need to upgrade my macbook ram and hard drive pls help

    Hi all,
    I need to upgrade my macbook's RAM and hard drive as after 3 yrs of use it is showing signs of aging.
    I am novice in hardware stuff. I am planning on doing it entirely by myself and on tight budget will need to compare the prices across sellers and buy a suitable peice of kit. Please help
    Questions:
    1 - How to find out which RAm do I need to buy and what is the maximum I can go on my macbook?
    2 - How to find which hard drive to buy and what is the maximum my macbook will support?
    3 - Can I buy the SSD drive instead of SATA for this macbook?
    Some of the specs are listed below:
    Hardware Overview:
      Model Name:          MacBook
      Model Identifier:          MacBook5,2
      Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
      Processor Speed:          2 GHz
      Number Of Processors:          1
      Total Number Of Cores:          2
      L2 Cache:          3 MB
      Memory:          2 GB
      Bus Speed:          1.07 GHz
      Boot ROM Version:          MB52.0088.B05
      SMC Version (system):          1.38f5
    MANY THANKS FOR READING AND REPLYING TO MY POST
    [email protected]

    Hi Chefjeegar
    Yes that screwdriver kit has the #00 phillips screwdriver that you need to access the RAM and hard drive. You'll also need the Torx driver to change the hard drive. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-Computer-Technician-Precision-Torx/dp/B0000934GO/r ef=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1348072554&sr=1-1
    For a good explanation about RAM look at the page on OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/
    In the UK Amazon or eBay might be your best bet for cheap RAM but read the description and reviews carefully. For a little more expensive but with a better warranty is Crucial UK http://www.crucial.com/uk/
    A good resource for working on your MacBook is ifixit.com http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Core_2_Duo
    Is your external hard drive formatted for Mac? To transfer your current hard drive I like the free application Carbon Copy Cloner. It makes a bootable copy of everything on your hard drive http://www.bombich.com/index.html Check that it's set up right by booting up from the external drive. Put the new drive in your MacBook, then format and partition the new drive. Then use Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer your OS back to the new drive.
    Yes, you can put an SSD in the MacBook.

  • I need to upgrade my MacBook 13" white 2008 hard drive.  I have found a WD6400BPVT western digital Scorpio blue 640GB (5400rpm) SATA 8MB 2.5" will this fit and work? Many thanks for any help

    I need to upgrade my MacBook 13" white 2008 hard drive.  I have found a WD6400BPVT western digital Scorpio blue 640GB (5400rpm) SATA 8MB 2.5" will this fit and work? Many thanks for any help

    I had a 640GB HDD in my Early 2008 Macbook and it was just too much it would always freeze up the computer a bit for only a few seconds but ya. Then I realized that it was the size of the HDD that was causing it since the Early 2008 Macbook models can only handle a MAX od 500GB while the Early 2008 Macbook Pros could have a MAX of 640GB (Lucked out there!) lol But ya the Early 2008 Mocbooks can only handle a MAX HDD size of 500GB and that's it!! lol

  • What cable/adapter do I need to connect my MacBook Pro to a Sharp Aquos TV?

    What cable/adapter do I need to connect my MacBook Pro to a Sharp Aquos TV?
    I want to watch videos on youtube or read articles on my laptop, and I want a cable/adapter that will hook up the Macbook to the TV and display the webpage that is on the laptop.

    Of course it doesn't. But you can buy an adaptor from HDMI to the Mini-DisplayPort port on the computer.

  • HT5299 which cables do I need to connect my macbook pro 2013 to an hd tv?

    which cables do I need to connect my macbook pro 2013 to an hd tv?  The port's on the side have changed from my previous Mac.  Thank you.

    If you have a retina MBP use a HDMI to HDMI cable.
    If you have a non retina MBP, use a minidisplay port to HDMI cable.  Insert the minidisplay end in the Thunderbolt port.
    Ciao.

  • What do I need to connect my Macbook pro to a display, What do I need to connect my Macbook pro to a display, What do I need to connect my Macbook pro to a display

    What do I need to connect my Macbook pro to a display?

    You need a cable,
    You need a cable,
    You need a cable...
    You can find all kinds of cables here:
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246
    Or in the Apple Store

  • HT1338 What cable do I need to connect my macbook pro to my television(hdmi)?

    What cable do I need to connect my macbook pro to my television(hdmi)?    

    If your Macbook has a Mini Display port and you want to connect it to an HDMI input on your TV you can use the Apple adapter available here;
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A/Moshi_Mini_DisplayPort_to_HDMI_Adapt er
    A similar, non-Apple connector is available on Amazon here:
    http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Female-Adapter-Macbook-Pro/dp/B002HU629E/ref=s r_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325274750&sr=8-1
    Hope this helps.

  • What cable do i need to connect my macbook pro to the hdmi input on my tv?.

    what cable do i need to connect my macbook pro to the hdmi input on my tv?.

    hi Sam
    It's actally an HDMI adapter that Apple sells.
    You hook the small adapter up to your MBP and then HDMI cable to your TV. Please note adapter is for HDMI compliant for HDMI rev 1.3 and above:
    My TV, which has DVI port also, besides HDMI gets its best resolution by DVI of which also sell at Apple store for the MBP.
    Bottom line is check w/ your TV manufacture to be sure your flat screen supports 1920 X 1200.
    Let 'er rip and...
    cheers

  • What cable do I need to connect my MacBook Pro to my TV?

    What cable do I need to connect my MacBook Pro to my TV?

    If your Macbook has a Mini Display port and you want to connect it to an HDMI input on your TV you can use the Apple adapter available here;
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1824ZM/A/Moshi_Mini_DisplayPort_to_HDMI_Adapt er
    A similar, non-Apple connector is available on Amazon here:
    http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Female-Adapter-Macbook-Pro/dp/B002HU629E/ref=s r_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325274750&sr=8-1
    Hope this helps.

  • Can anyone recommend a portable USB 3.0 drive with hardware encryption, compatible with OSX and Windows 7.  I need it for my MacBook Pro 13", 2012, running Mountain Lion

    Can anyone recommend a portable USB 3.0 drive with hardware encryption, compatible with OSX Mountain Lion and Windows 7.  I need it for my MacBook Pro 13”, 2012, running Mountain Lion & Windows 7 Ultimate - BootCamp.  I’ve heard that the Buffalo MiniStation Encryption does not work with OSX, is that true..?  I'd like it to work with both operating systems, using the built in hardware encryption.  Thanks

    This article may help: A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac.

  • Hello, I need help with my macbook pro. It looks like I cannot install anything anymore. Everytime I try to install a new software, use the migration assistant or click the lock to make changes, it simply does not react.

    Hello, I need help with my macbook pro.
    It looks like I cannot install anything anymore. Everytime I try to install a new software, I simply get stuck during the installation type process. I put in my password, it does accept it, but it does not go any further.
    I tried to reset the password, put no password, repair the permissions, the disk but nothing will do. I nearly got stuck with the log in screen but finally succeeded in disabling it.
    So I thought I might try to create a new account but I cannot click the lock to make changes. It simply refuses to react.
    I am now thinking about using the migration assistant to save all my settings, data and so fourth, but again I get stuck when I have to type in my password. It accepts it but nothing happens...
    I guess it has something to do with the authorization process, but can't find anything on the internet about it... Can you help me out?
    I am running Lion 10.7.3.
    Regards,
    Nicolas.
    (I apologize if any grammatical/structural mistakes were to be found, english is not my mother-tongue. )

    You probably won't like this suggestion, but I suggest you reinstall Lion.
    First, backup your system. Next, reboot your system, press/hold the COMMAND-R keys to boot into the Recovery HD. Select 'Reinstall Mac OS X'. If you purchased Lion as an upgrade to Snow Leopard, the reinstall process will install Lion 10.7.3. If your system came preinstalled with Lion, you might still get Lion 10.7.2. Both installs are a total install of the OS. None of your apps or data will be impacted. Just the OS.

  • I need to have my macbook pro repaired how can I hide passwords and banking info?

    I need to have my macbook pro repaired how can I hide passwords and banking info?

    Create a new admin account named repair and only give them the password for that account. Alternately you could back up or clone your system, erase the hard drive and then reinstall OS X with one admin account that has no personal information.

  • TS2446 my app store is not working, i tired signing in but showing me "An unknown error has occurred" my password is not wrong, please and someone help, because i need to update my macbook air. thank you

    my app store is not working, i tired signing in but showing me "An unknown error has occurred" my password is not wrong, please and someone help, because i need to update my macbook air. thank you... how can i make it work?

    I cannot sign out. When I go to the iTunes & App Stores in settings, The Apple ID field shows my id but it is faded and I cannot select the field.

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