Does firefox provide online protection from virus, malware protection , etc. automatically or otherwise?

I am a regular user of Mozilla firefox which scans all the online email downloads that I do.
But, I wish to know if I have to additionally install another antivirus / antimalware (protection) software for my online safety and computer safety as well?

Firefox does give some phishing and attack site warnings
*http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
Firefox does work with software that you may have installed and for instance may enable scanning of downloaded files. If it is scanning now that indicates you have something installed. I believe Windows 7 makes Microsoft Essentials available for free. Windows 8 has Windows Defender or something provided by default.
* http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/security-essentials-download
The no script add-on is an extremely popular add-on that blocks a lot of nuisances and potential dangerous things. Firefox may soon include a click to play plugins feature that should be helpful.
* https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2012/10/11/click-to-play-coming-firefox-17/
BTW are you using Thunderbird ?

Similar Messages

How is the Iphone protected from virus, malware, spyware, etc. when surfing the net?

I'm concerned about malicious software and virus attack on my I phone. I surfed the same internet sites as I do on my computer with my iphone; on my desk top I caught a trojan horse type virus. Is my Iphone susceptible to similar attacks?

The browser is sandboxed. It does not support plug-ins and can not download documents or programs containing executable code. As long as you don't jailbreak the phone, you don't have to worrry.

Does an mac air need any internet/security protection from viruses etc. ?

I was wondering does the mac need any interent security such as kaspersky or norton installed for protection? or is there already protection from viruses etc on the software installed? Thanks

1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. 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 computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
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. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; 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.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware. 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.
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 effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable. The best defense is always going to be 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 scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent. or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, your browser, or anything else.
Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
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.
Stay within the safe harbor, 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.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
Its 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, commercial AV 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 may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. 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.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an institutional policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. 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.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Inbuilt protection from viruses, etc.

I'm going to refer to a discussion that appeared in Apple Support Communities > Desktop Computers > iMac (Intel) > Discussions entitled "slow start up on my macbook pro (gray screen)" (https://discussions.apple.com/message/19137371#19137371), in which the following was posted as a reply by Linc Davis:
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” thatcomes 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, istrying 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 ClamXav — nothing else.
Could Linc, should he come across this, or anyone else, clarify his statements?
In particular, he seems to be saying that OS X comes with inbuilt protection from viruses, etc., and that the central protection database is updated daily - if this is correct, how do the updates get downloaded to individual installations?
Also, in his list of untrustworthiness, the first (1.) refers to merely in order to use the site - what does this mean? And the third (3.) refers to “Cracked” versions of commercial software - what are "Cracked" versions?

By cracked versions of software, he means basically anything from torrent, or other file sharing sites.
For instance, you may find Photoshop CS6 that runs without a serial number. Someone has altered the binary files to make the app continue working, even though it's supposed to time out after 30 days (the trial period). Couple of problems with that.
1) The apps rarely run well, and often cause a lot of crashing. The app knows it isn't registered and continually tries to quit. The hack tells it to keep running. That's the minor issue compared to the next.
2) The number one way crooks are getting malware onto Macs is just this way. Hacked commercial software. That software isn't just hacked, they almost all also contain code that isn't part of the original app at all. Like key loggers, back doors, and other malware you most definitely don't want on your computer. When you enter your admin password to install the illegal software you downloaded, the extra stuff you don't know about get installed with it. These people are so persistent, there were even torrent downloads of Mavericks online almost as soon as Apple released it. Really! Who would be dumb enough to download Mavericks from a file sharing site when you can already obtain a genuine copy for free from Apple?
No matter what it costs, if you need any particular software package, buy it! The people who spends months or years writing such software don't work for free any more than you do. What's their incentive to stay in business if everyone just steals their work?

SCEP Definition update from Microsoft Malware Protection Center vs WindowsUpdate?

Hi,
SCEP Definition update from Microsoft Malware Protection Center vs WindowsUpdate? What is the different?
/SaiTech

If I remember correctly - definitions for A/V and NIS will be the same from either location. I think MMPC might give you the ability to download partial, not yet released definitions for added zero-day protection. I don't remember
if you have to be part of MAPS to get that benefit, sorry.
With the integration of WSUS with SCCM 2012, I've found that using updates distributed from ConfigMgr to be sufficient. I do have those other methods available, but at lower priorities so that remote users who don't VPN as often as they should, have
a fallback until we can get PKI/HTTPS or an Azure DP, or Direct Access.
Again, I'm not 100% sure, but I do know that getting updates from SCCM's built in WSUS (via Automatic Deployment Rules), has worked really well for us, and having those extra methods enabled in your policy definitely makes for some extra fallback options.

Why does Firefox 'remember' a login from my last session when, on both occasions, I was using "Private Browsing"?

Why does Firefox 'remember' a login from my last session when, on both occasions, I was using "Private Browsing"? How do I stop this (without clearing other data)?

Try disabling hardware acceleration. Many visual bugs can be attributed to issues with graphics drivers.
(Firefox -> Options -> Advanced -> General -> [ ] Use hardware acceleration when available)

Is my iPad protected from viruses if running through a router?

Just got an iPad air and wondered if it is protected from viruses if running through a router or if I need to get a separate virus protector???

Hi mom,
the answer is short and good: Yes, it is protected, and No, never get antivirus app.
Congratulations with your new iPad Air.
Have a nice Xmas,
Lex

Is my macbook already protected from viruses?

does my macbook come equipted with a virus fire wall or some type of protection?

1. This is a comment on what you should and should not do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet. 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.
If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
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.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
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. Sandboxing 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 effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always going to be 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 always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know what is safe?
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 unsafe.
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 outside the safe harbor, 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. For instance, if a web page warns you that Flash is out of date, do not follow an offered link to an update. Go to the Adobe website to download it, if you need it at all.
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.
"FREE WI-FI !!!" networks in public places are unsafe unless you can verify that the network is not a trap (which you probably can't.) Even then, do not download any software or transmit any private information while connected to such a network, regardless of where it seems to come from or go to.
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.
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 one of the free anti-virus products in the Mac App Store — 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.
To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. Most of the real danger comes from highly targeted "zero-day" attacks that are not yet recognized.
By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
8. An anti-malware product from the App Store, such as "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.
An anti-virus app 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
Anti-virus software may be able to tell you which particular trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless an institutional policy requires it.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. 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.
10. As a Mac user you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither should you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Virus/malware protection programs

Does Apple recommend certain virus and malware security downloads?

No. Currently none is needed because OS X provides built-in protection.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware 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.
See these Apple articles:
          Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection
          OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          About file quarantine in OS X
If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using VirusBarrier Express 1.1.6 or Dr.Web Light both from the App Store. They're both free, and since they're from the App Store, they won't destabilize the system. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.)

If the iMac is suppose to be secure from viruses, malware,spyware and other internet threats, then howcome i have seen internet security programs for the iMac?

on the website it clearly stated "It’s highly secure and reliable" and that "You don’t need to buy software to speed it up, keep it safe, or get it to work better." and it also says that "The built-in defenses on a Mac help keep you safe from viruses and malware without the hassle of constant alerts and sweeps." If this is the case, then howcome in download .com, i have seen internet security programs for the imac?
So if one day i accidentelly stumble across a website that has malware in it, will the imac protect me?
Theres this website that i feel to afraid to go to because some people reported a malware threat on that website. But will i be able to safely go to that website with the imacs security?
Im just confused that there are these internet security programs for the imac despite of the imacs built in security.

In addition to Kappy's excellent advice, you need to remember that only you can protect yourself (and your Mac) - for instance, I never go near any torrent site. Not only are most torrent downloads illegal, but quite a few softwares on those sites contain some not-so-nice additions (malware, etc). So, no, your Mac would not protect you there - you need to protect yourself; it is called "responsible websurfing".
I only download software from reputable sites (i.e. the developer); I don't go to questionable sites at all (there is a great plugin for Firefox called "WOT" - it grades the sites from excellent to "poor reputation") - if you use Safari, check to see if it is available there. And I don't download "free" software or music or whatever that costs elsewhere - I pay for it.
And, here is another article you might want to look at:
http://www.reedcorner.net/guides/macvirus/

Does firefox provide an e-mail address?

Please explain e-mail procedures for firefox. and advise whether or not firefox provides e-mail addresses and how many.

hello foxymef, firefox is just a webbrowser - it doesn't provide a email service.

Browser Virus Malware Adware etc. HELP!

I have been trying for 3 days to kick this absurd problem off of my Macbook Pro. It feels like I have a virus/malware/adware situation that is making me feel like I'm back on a PC (UGHHHHH).
BEFORE THE PROBLEM:
I kept getting "scratchdisk" or "startup disk" is full notices so I could not download the new OS
I started searching the web for solutions
I started removing all unneeded files
I used Clean My Mac to remove unwanted/unneeded files
I downloaded OS X 10.9.5
THE PROBLEM:
The following things occur when I attempt to use any of the 3 browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox:
pop up windows appear ALL over the place
Pop up windows block my ability to use the intended web page
tabs automatically open for Wix, Mackeeper, Credit Check websites etc. (It's infuriating!)
Sites I am attempting to use fail to respond
ACTIONS TAKEN:
run Clean My Mac (nada)
delete all cookies (nada)
trash or uninstall any/all unknown apps/programs
uninstall Google Chrome
uninstall Firefox
reset Safari
some terminal exercise from an Apple forum (did...nada)
RESOLVE:
NOTHING seems to be working...I'm about to launch my computer out the window... HELP!?

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.
A.
You may have installed the "VSearch" trojan. Remove it as follows.
Malware is always changing to get around the defenses against it. These instructions are valid as of now, as far as I know. They won't necessarily be valid in the future. Anyone finding this comment a few days or more after it was posted should look for more recent discussions or start a new one.
Back up all data before proceeding.
Step 1
From the Safari menu bar, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Extensions
Uninstall any extensions you don't know you need, including any that have the word "Spigot," "Trovi," or "Conduit" in the description. If in doubt, uninstall all extensions. Do the equivalent for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, if you use either of those.
Reset the home page and default search engine in all the browsers, if it was changed.
Step 2
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist
Right-click or control-click the line and select
          Services ▹ Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)
from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "com.vsearch.agent.plist" selected. Drag the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password.
Repeat with each of these lines:
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.daemon.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.helper.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/Jack.plist
Restart the computer and empty the Trash. Then delete the following items in the same way:
/Library/Application Support/VSearch
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack
/System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework
~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin
Some of these items may be absent, in which case you'll get a message that the file can't be found. Skip that item and go on to the next one.
The problem may have started when you downloaded and ran an application called "MPlayerX." That's the name of a legitimate free movie player, but the name is also used fraudulently to distribute VSearch. If there is an item with that name in the Applications folder, delete it, and if you wish, replace it with the genuine article from mplayerx.org.
This trojan is often found on illegal websites that traffic in pirated content such as movies. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow.
You may be wondering why you didn't get a warning from Gatekeeper about installing software from an unknown developer, as you should have. The reason is that the Internet criminal behind VSearch has a codesigning certificate issued by Apple, which causes Gatekeeper to give the installer a pass. Apple could revoke the certificate, but as of this writing has not done so, even though it's aware of the problem. This failure of oversight has compromised both Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. You can't rely on Gatekeeper alone to protect you from harmful software.
*If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. In the Finder, select
          Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
B.
Remove "MacKeeper" as follows. First, back up all data.
"MacKeeper" is a scam with only one useful feature: it deletes itself.
Note: These instructions apply to the version of the product that I downloaded and tested in early 2012. I can't be sure that they apply to other versions.
If you have incompletely removed MacKeeper—for example, by dragging the application to the Trash and immediately emptying—then you'll have to reinstall it and start over.
IMPORTANT: "MacKeeper" has what the developer calls an “encryption” feature. In my tests, I didn't try to verify what this feature really does. If you used it to “encrypt” any of your files, “decrypt” them before you uninstall, or (preferably) restore the files from backups made before they were “encrypted.” As the developer is not trustworthy, you should assume that the "decrypted" files are corrupt unless proven otherwise.
In the Finder, select
          Go ▹ Applications
from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-A. The "MacKeeper" application is in the folder that opens. Quit it if it's running, then drag it to the Trash. You'll be prompted for your login password. Click the Uninstall MacKeeper button in the dialog that appears. All the other functional components of the software will be deleted. Restart the computer and empty the Trash.
☞ Quit MacKeeper before dragging it to the Trash.
☞ Let MacKeeper delete its other components before you empty the Trash.
☞ Don't try to drag the MacKeeper Dock icon to the Trash.

Viruses, malware, trojans, etc.

I have an MPB, OSX 10.5.8 and a 16.5 year old son. I was able to resolve the kernel panic problem, but only because I had access to an external drive version of an install disc with which I could fire up Disk Utility, which then made repairs. I had been able to reboot from neither an onboard install disc nor an internal TechTool eDrive.
Suspicious, I installed and ran ClamXav anti-virus tool and found two items:
hottiestar_installer.exe decsribed as Trojan.Inject-3034, and
useGoingBook.class-73a68686-5131a64d.class described as Trojan.Downloader.Java.ClassLoader-1 .
ClamXav placed the two in a folder and then I trashed them both. Am I done? Is it safe? I know so little about how these things operate and what they do. It seems like I've killed the messengers, but have I destroyed the messages?
Is it more likely that these were picked up from friends with infected Windows machines than from direct downloading to the MPB?
Thank you.

Raven Icefire wrote:
I am looking at buying a MBP. My brother goes to ITT and he said that they are talking about the rise of mac viruses. Is this something I should consider when buying, like should I pay for the anti-virus or are the types of viruses that they were talking about not something to worry about?
Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.
There really are no Mac viruses in the traditional sense. There are Mac trojans, which can be avoided by actions such as declining offers to install "codecs" that claim to allow viewing of questionable content.
Safari and OS X have a certain amount of malware protection already built in. If you really want to install anti-virus software on a Mac, consider ClamXav: http://www.clamxav.com/
One more piece of advice: If you're looking for advice, start your own thread instead of attaching your question to a thread already marked as "answered", as those threads receive a lot less attention than unanswered threads.

Is the level of protection from intrusion, malware, viruses, and trojans materially better when using a Sonicwall TZ 105 with a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.8.5 than with a properly configured MacBook Pro alone?

One of our IT engineers at work mentioned the security of our home networks could be substantially improved by using a properly configured Sonicwall TZ 105 with the comprehensive security option (sold as a separate item from the Sonicwall hardware). I am interested in the experiences and advice of any MacBook Pro users who have such a device in their home networks. Is the protection the device and the add-on monitoring afford that much greater than that of a properly configured MacBook Pro running OS X 10.8.5, and in general, even if the security provided is significantly greater, is it necessary for the home user or is it overkill?
Thank you

One of our IT engineers at work mentioned the security of our home networks could be substantially improved by using a properly configured Sonicwall TZ 105 with the comprehensive security option (sold as a separate item from the Sonicwall hardware). I am interested in the experiences and advice of any MacBook Pro users who have such a device in their home networks. Is the protection the device and the add-on monitoring afford that much greater than that of a properly configured MacBook Pro running OS X 10.8.5, and in general, even if the security provided is significantly greater, is it necessary for the home user or is it overkill?
Thank you

Does firevault protect from hackers malware etc

Im new to mac and wondering the pros and cons of using firevault?

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

Does firefox provide online protection from virus, malware protection , etc. automatically or otherwise?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for