Do I need to get a firewall or anti-virus program for my new IMAC?

I'm a new Mac user and have heard that firewall or anti-virus programs are unnecessary on Macs, but I'm wary anyway. If I chose to utilize such programs, what should I get?
And, is it advisable to shut my system down each night?

anti virus isnt not necessary for the most part with macs
shutting down/ restarting is a gray area. do you HAVE to, no, BUT it can help fix or clean up little stuff when you get lag or the random little glitches the restart will normally fix it.
i was not restarting my machine except maybe once a month but now im restarting every few days, my brother went to restarting about daily and he is working on his machine all day everyday so meh if it works for you what ever.
leaving your machine on will give a little more ware on parts and all but if your at either end of the user spectrum (light user or demanding user) it shouldnt matter much to you, if you are light you shouldnt get to a point that anything fails and if you are demanding you will probably gets parts to fail either way.
-matt

Similar Messages

Install firewall or anti-virus program for new ipad

Do i need to install a firewall or anti-virus program for new ipad

Apfelwurm wrote:
Your Wi-Fi router should already sport a firewall.
Check its documentation.
Unfortunately, the router firewall can prevent the iPad from accessing the Internet!. I didn't look into the details but my router firewall has three basic settings, Minimum, Typical and Maximum. Internet access is blocked with Typical and Maximum settings.

When i download a file from the web i get "Anti-Virus Program not found " message. This has been happening since I change anti-virus programs for CA etrust to Sophos. How do I get Firefox to recognise my new Anti-virus program?

every time i download a file from the web (ie. a PDF file) i get "Anti-Virus Program not found " message. This has been happening since I changed anti-virus programs for CA etrust to Sophos. How do I get Firefox to recognise my new Anti-virus program?

That is a very good warning provided by the Download Statusbar extension. Something like that should been built into Firefox. I filed this Bug report a couple of years ago, about the lack of a warning like that. <br />
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=480855 <br />
I have looked everywhere that I can think of to find a list of '''IOfficeAntiVirus providers''' ''(as mentioned in the Bug report)'' that will work with Firefox, so I can't answer that for you.
You might want to ask the developer of the Download Statusbar extension about it. He might know which AV programs are compatible with the Windows API that Firefox uses for the download scan. <br />
http://dlstatusbar.proboards.com/index.cgi? <br />

I've just downloaded FF 4 beta, do i still need to purchase internet security software & anti-virus software for protection?

I have not renewed my McAfee. i am not sure whether FF 4 beta security protection is good enough. I do internet banking often. do i still need to have other security or anti-virus software?

Firefox is just a web browser, you still need anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall protection.

Just got a new imac, my email set up fine on it, but I need to get the email folders from comcast transferred to the new imac...how do I do this?

How do I transfer my email folders on comcast over to my new imac? I am getting email but need the folders which have all my old/saved items.

BTW if this is your first Mac or you're not familiar with how to create folders and rules I'd recommend watching the following Mail tutorials:
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#mailbasics
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#organizemail

Do i need to get an anti virus program for my mac mini

do i need to get an anti-virus software?

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 "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.

So many issues - family of 5, i am using my wifes apple id on my iPhone, my daughter is using my apple id on touch, i need to get all iTunes content off an old PC onto new imac and i just got iphone 5 and want to be able to have evreything work - help!

5 plus years ago my wife had the only Apple ID and as a family we all used her Itunes account to buy and listen to music. A couple years later, I (husband) bought my first iPhone - the only iDevice in the household. When I set that iphone up, I used the wife's apple ID as I wanted access to all of the itunes music we had as a family. So now years later, all of my Apps etc have been purchased via the Wife's Apple ID. To make matters worse for my situation, my 10 yr old daughter got an iTouch for Christmas and i decided to use my actual (husband) Apple ID as daughter is a minor and I felt I could manage her iTouch Apps content that way. We have just recently bought our first iMac and I had yet to understand or get to work the iCloud or the Home Sharing of iTunes. To make matters worse, I have never synched my 3G iphone because of the whole Apple ID issue. I should also mention that the primary 'authorized' computer for my wife's itunes account is an old PC that we almost never use anymore as it runs soooo slow. So I am left to wonder how to go about making the transition to get the old PC 'deauthorized' after I somehow transfer all itunes files from the old PC to the new iMac. I now have the new iPhone5 and i REALLY want to get to the point where i have my iphone on my apple id and my wife has her apple id (no iphone for her yet - probably coming soon though). On the new iMac i have created a login for me and one for my wife. I was able to login to itunes on her imac login and i was able to set up iCloud. it works! - but now my calendar, contacts, photos, etc are on her profile login of the iMac! HELP me PLEASE!!

Your Apple ID should not be causing problems with your browser. If you describe the problems you are having we might be able to help with those.
regards

What's the latest thoughts on if the Mac mini needs an anti virus program?

What are the latest thoughts about downloading an anti virus program for the Mac mini?

A lot depends on your computer habits and those who
you have contact with. Running the afore mentioned
software can provide a safety net.
These days, malware, Trojan horses, and phishing are
much greater a threat to Macs than viruses.   I'm not
saying that viruses are not possible, but they are not
as profitable.
Bottom line, use common sense. Don't install or open
anything you didn't request. Avoid torrent sites.   Never
give out personal information except when you specifically
request something that requires it.
Many large ISPs provide virus scanning of emails before
they even reach your computer.
Determining the need of an antivirus program starts
with an evaluation of yourself and your habits.
PS. I have worked with Windows computers from
        NT thru Windows7 and never had an antivirus
        program other than my own habits and have
        never been infected.

Anti Virus Software for New iBook - Any Need for it

Hi,
Is there any real need to buy any Anti Virus software for a new iBook running Tiger.
If so what would be the best software to Buy.

Hello Simon,
As has been stated there are NO viruses for Mac OS X. None!
Some will say that NO form of protection is required. Some will say that there is a good case for having at least some protection.
There is an interesting article here
No need to spend any money now!
Regards
Ian

The access to our new chess hall may be blocked by your local firewall. You would need to reconfigure your firewall to open port 15010 for TCP traffic.

How do I do the following so I can get into my chess program??
The access to our new chess hall may be blocked by your
local firewall. You would need to reconfigure your firewall to open port 15010
for TCP traffic.

This is not really Firefox related.
What you need to do here is to read the firewall manual which usually explains how to create a rule for what you want to do.
If you're using the Windows XP firewall, see this Microsoft article: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Firewall-frequently-asked-questions

Do I need an anti-virus program on a MacBook?

I'm a brand new MacBook user. Just bought the 13-inch aluminum body version from Club Mac and it was delivered yesterday. The notebook is actually for my wife to be able to use while she's recovering from knee surgery in a couple of weeks and I thought it was time to branch our family out from PC's and Windows. So I'm setting up the MacBook for her to be able to use it...and for our family to get more literate on a Mac and it looks great! My question is do I need an anti-virus program and if so, which is a good one recommended by Mac users? NOTE: because my wife is familiar with Windows, I had XP service pack 3 installed and have VM Ware Fusion onboard to be able to run both Windows and Leopard for her convenience and to assist us. So there MAY be some Windows use on this MacBook, at least at first. All responses, replies, suggestions, welcome. THANK YOU.

Do You Need Anti-Virus Protection for Your Mac?
According to Rich Mogull's article, Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?,
"The reality is that today the Mac platform is relatively safe. There are hundreds of thousands of viruses and other malicious software programs floating around for Windows, but less than 200 are known to target the Mac, and many of those are aimed at versions of the Mac OS prior to Mac OS X (and thus have no effect on a modern Mac).
It's not that Mac OS X is inherently more secure against viruses than current versions of Windows (although it was clearly more secure than Windows prior to XP SP2); the numerous vulnerabilities reported and patched in recent years are just as exploitable as their Windows equivalents. But most security experts agree that malicious software these days is driven by financial incentives, and it's far more profitable to target the most dominant platform."
Mr. Mogull is a computer security expert. I recommend reading the entire article as it is quite informative.
For additional information on viruses, trojans, and spyware visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on viruses and spyware.

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

Should I get anti-virus software for my MBP?

I know there are not that many virus that Macs can get however I tend to download quite a lot of software from the internet that may not be that trust worthy. Should I get some anti-virus software, and if so, what would you recomend?

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 malware on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of Mac OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of trojans, which can only work 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 site, merely in order to use the 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 Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
Disable Java (not JavaScript) in your web browser(s). Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This setting is mandatory in Mac OS X 10.5.8 or earlier, because Java in those versions has bugs that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. Those bugs will probably never be fixed, because those older operating systems are no longer being maintained by Apple. Migrate to a newer version of the Mac OS as soon as you can.
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 the free software ClamXav — nothing else.

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

McAfee's website ...
http://home.mcafee.com/Store/PackageDetail.aspx?pkgid=358&culture=en-us&affid=79 2&eid=covmcaggl89400000070427s&adid=8370783383&
... says I need anti-virus protection for my Mac (of course they'd like to sell it to me). Been a Windows man since Gates was just getting started. FINALLY switched over a few months ago. McAfee makes good points about getting this protection so I thought I'd sign in here and ask you guys (the experts:-)) what YOU think?? If I do need it, please recommend. I always heard that you don't need anti-virus protection for a Mac and was hoping that would be the case but I must admit it ... that sounds a little bit far-fetched/unreasonable. I don't mind doing it if it will add extra security and isn't too annoying as it has ALWAYS been on my Windows PCs through the years. Thanks, Dan

No. You don't need AV software.
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.
Allan

How do I get music from my iPhone 5 on to my new iMac?

How do I get music from my iPhone 5 on to my new iMac?

The iphone is not a backup/storage device. It simply mirrors the selected content of the computer to which it is isynced. The sync is oen way - computer to iphone. The only exception is itunes purchases. File>Devices>Transfer Purchases
You should copy everything (files/docs/music/pics/contacts/calendars/etc) from your old computer, or your backup copy of your old computer, to your new one.

Do I need to get a firewall or anti-virus program for my new IMAC?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for