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 Migrate to a newer version of the Mac OS as soon as you can.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?

Similar Messages

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.

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

Has anyone used Malwarebytes or anything similar to protect Mac from virus etc

Has anyone used Malwarebytes or something similar to scan Mac for virus and other security and effiency problems?

I should have been more specific, I wasn't given a Mac to keep, I was given a Mac to clean up. I have almost 20 years experience working with personal computers and I've worked on every major OS that's been released during that time (OS/2, every version of Windows since 3.1, Linux, Mac OS, Unix). I no longer work in a shop specifically fixing computers but my family still gives me their computers to look at whenever they have issues. My cousin just gave me her laptop since she was unable to fill out any web forms that would try to verify her e-mail address, plus she kept getting pop ups to run some MacKeeper software. Had this been a computer I received second hand I would have re-installed the OS regardless of the state it was on, but since she needs the files on her computer for school I figured it'd be much easier to run a Mac OS equivalent of Malwarebytes than to backup everything and re-install the OS.
Unfortunately when you search the internet for a Malwarebytes alternative for Mac OS, the majority of the time you just get posts from people saying "Macs are super secure, don't worry about it you won't get infected", which is a completely useless response for someone whose computer is infected. The rest of the posts responding to people who ARE infected are much like your response "Just re-install the OS" but that doesn't address the underlying issue of what's infecting the computer for those people who can't afford to lose everything. I was eventually able to Google the symptoms of this issue and determine that it was a trojan known as DownLite or VSearch. Once I found where it was located I opened up a terminal, ran sudo su to elevate myself to root, deleted the VSearch folder and files from the terminal, ran ps ax | grep VSearch to find the running application and did a kill -9 [pid] to terminate the app (rather than rebooting.)
Once that was all done I was able to use Chrome and Safari without all of the popups and hijacks. It took all of 5 minutes once I knew what the underlying issue was but I was really hoping to find a program like Malwarebytes so I could just let it scan the computer and tell me "These applications are malicious..." especially since my cousin installed a lot of stuff I would consider junk on her laptop and I didn't want to delete things that are just harmless junk (since she might use them.) Since I ended up having to do this all manually I'm just hoping there's nothing else lingering on the computer that didn't have visible symptoms.

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 ?

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.

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.

Is there protection from viruses and hackers that you can put on IPad 2?

Is there a protection program against hackers and viruses for Ipad2 ?

I am constantly having my account hacked, I have to keep changing my password every few days, and constantly receiving emails from Apple ( or a fake Apple site) either telling me to reset my password or my password has been reset. I know that I had not changes my password in a few days but today I received yet another email to say my password had been changes, I had not changed it but of course I had to then change again. I am getting sick of Apples lack of security. I was thing of buying a Mac book but I am completely out off now as worried about security issues. I wanted to report these security issues to Apple but unable to find how to do this so if anyone knows please let me know.

I want to know that, is mozilla scans computer in order to protect from virus threats, cause last night mozill do with me same, is it a feature of mozilla or another kind fraud by someone else.

dear sir/ma'm
Last night i was surfing web, suddenly the webpage i was surfing disappeared and another page came, which was showing warning that your computer is running some suspected processes and mozilla is scanning your computer for viruse threats, please do not interrupt the process, and within a few moment so many virus list came in front of me, and then came a message click on button start potection, and a binary file also started downloading while i did not said to do so. cause i've an antivirus hence i closed the firefox and scanned my computer and antivirus show it free of viruses.
i want to know what is it??????

Sites like that depend upon JavaScript. I use the NoScript add-on which by default will disable JavaScript, and allows you to specify what sites you want JavaScript to run on. It takes a while to get NoScript set up so that you can have JavaScript enabled on the sites that you use often. There is a bit of work involved but I prefer the added protection that the add-on gives - https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/noscript/
Also make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software installed. I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Safeset way to transfer i tunes library from old laptop to newer Sony Vaio?? I'm concerned about transfering viruses etc...i have an external drive available.

Hiya. I want to transfer my I tunes library from an old laptop I've not used for a couple of years. I've got a sony vaio now, so I guess my options are either Windows migration or use my new external hard drive. I'm worried about any viruses etc being passed across, so what is the safest option??

There should never be a need to turn off anti-virus protection to effect a data transfer. The key to successfully transferring an iTunes library from one computer to another is to have the library (database and media) in a "well formed" layout that facilitates the process. In practical terms, this means that all your media (songs, audiobooks, TV shows, ...) is contained within the iTunes Media folder within the iTunes folder that's located by default in one of the following locations:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
Windows Vista: C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes
Windows 7 and Windows 8: C:\Users\username\My Music\iTunes (in theses "My Music" is one of Windows' virtual libraries and the same path as used in Vista is normally equally valid)
This folder and its subfolders should look like this:
If this is the case, then you can:
Exit iTunes, and copy this iTunes folder, in its entirety, to an external HDD connected to your old machine
In your case, I'd then suggest running a complete virus / malware scan on the external HDD. It would be unusual to find viruses or malware embedded in iTunes' media files or other data, but doing this step would at least confirm that the data you're moving is infection-free.
Then, copy this iTunes folder to the corresponding location on your new laptop (where iTunes should not be running at this time). If you've already installed iTunes and haven't added any new content to the library on the new machine you can just overwrite the files/folders that you find there.
Just to make sure that iTunes is picking up the correct library database, i.e., the one you just transferred, hold down the Shift key as you start iTunes, and when you see this prompt:
click on Choose Library... navigate to the location of the folder you just copied (assuming Windows 7 or 8, C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes), select the iTunes Library.itl file you see there, and click Open.
Your library will now be available to you on the new laptop.
Two caveats:
If your iTunes media on the old machine is not in the well formed structure described above (which may be the case if you've added existing MP3 or other formats without having configured iTunes as follows (in Edit > Preferences > Advanced):
see Turingtest2's notes on Make a split library portable on the steps needed to reorganize your library into a more standard layout. This may be a little tricky for you if the old machine is virus-infected to the extent that you can't run iTunes, but hopefully that won't be the case.
If you've already added anything to the library on your new machine prior to transferring data from the old one you'll need an extra step in the procedure described above, before step 3:
on the new machine (with iTunes not running) rename the C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes to something like "iTunesTemp"
copy the library files and folders as described above, so you have a C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes folder again
copy the contents of the C:\Users\username\iTunesTemp\iTunes Media folder (which will still contain any songs, etc, added on the new machine - you can just select any/all folders you find in that location except "Automatically Add to iTunes" and "Downloads") to C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Automatically Add to iTunes

How can i protect my iphone from virus

How can i protect my iphone from virus plz gelp me

Don't jailbreak it.
As long as you do not hack it, then you have nothing to fear.

Itunes error. the data execution prevention pops up and says "to protect your computer, windows has closed this program. Data execution prevention helps protect against damage from viruses and other threat.

I have a windows Xp computer. and i needed to download the newest itunes to support my ipod touch. but now my computer doesn't let me open itunes. The the data execution prevention pops up and says "to protect your computer, windows has closed this program. Data execution prevention (DEP) helps protect against damage from viruses and other threat." I tried excluding itunes from DEP on settings but it still doesn't work. I don't know what to do. please help me!!!
thanks

try to select the computer cd/dvd autorun off.
I had the same problem, then Kaspersky software found a conflict suggesting me this solution.
Itunes now works...even if it always asks to set the cd/dvd autorun on when lunched.

Is there a way to protect a USB flash drive from virus?

My daughter's school computer lab is seemingly infected with some PC virus but their school IT folks seem to be unable to clean them and with all the young kids using USB flash drives they brought these viruses home when they plug the flash drive into our home computer but luckily since we are using Mac at home and I have ClamXav installed it detected the virus immediately. So we are kind of safe but I am getting tired of removing this same virus every week using UNIX command in a terminal mode, as it's locked and can only removed using the sudo command (taught by some people). My questions are:
1. Is there any way to protect a USB flash drive from virus infection (it's a window PC virus)
2. is there a way or suggestion on how to stop these apart from dis-infecting the whole school computers? The problems are that these young kids are not aware of those viruses in their USB flash drives and their teachers are just too ignorant about it!
Thanks for any suggestions and help

I'd still invest in your case into Mac protection against passing along malware.
Take a look at Intego AV for one for the Mac and for dual-protection.
http://www.intego.com
Whatever you are finding is 'dormant' I assume, but that doesn't mean it can't become active or passed along either. And there are some 'man in the middle' spyware and malware, some which target online home banking (some people run their home banking from a virtual OS that is used for that purpose only, I always wished Mac OS X could be run in a VM mode as well).
The IT folks sound like they need... do their jobs properly and better.
I don't care how young they are, or the staff's ignorance. Time for education is now.
Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows and follow guidelines. And there are tons of FAQs, guidelines and articles on the subject.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/
Nearly six months after Apple added a malware blocker to Mac OS X (Snow Leopard), the feature appears to be collecting cobwebs.
Apple has not added any anti-malware signature updates to the XProtect.plist file that launched with antidotes for OSX.RSPlug.A and OSX.Iservice, two known Trojan horse programs targeting Mac OS X users.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/index.php?cat=20&submit=view

Why am I unable to post comments from FF. I can do it from IE, but it takes ages. Virus etc. checked.

Two problems:
1. I am unable to post comments from FF, but I can do it from IE,
though it takes ages with IE. Checked for Virus etc. with McAfee,
ZoneAlarm and Spybot. FF versions 4 later changed to 12. Both
do not allow - just keeps waiting (tried up to about 1 hour). It
started about a month ago.
2. I am unable to attach .pdf files from FF in Yahoo Mail. It works
from IE - though it takes ages (script?).
I am using 'NO Script' from FF - but for most cases I have to
go to 'partially allowed' mode.
Thanks
SB

(1) As instructed I went to 'run' and typed in the code. It took me to 'xuowtwd1.default' folder under 'Profiles'. There were several files stored there and
I did not know what to do. Next...
(2). As suggested I went to 'troubleshooting Information' under 'Help' drop down list.
(3). Followed instructions, but could not find the 'Reset Profile' button.
(4). It said the instructions were not for my version (V12) of FF.
(5). Downloaded V. 14.0.1
(6). Will not install. As mentioned earlier I am using Windows 2000 (p.s.initial
complaint)

Should I be running some kind of protection from spyware, adaware, virus on my iMac? I also have Microsoft for Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook) on my computer

Should I be running some kind of security program on my iMac eg. for spyware / adaware / virus etc. I also have Microsoft for Mac on my computer (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Thanks

lorrainefromencounter bay wrote:
I know ClamXav is free from the apps store dont know yet about Sophos.
The AppStore version of ClamXav does not have a real-time scanning capability, if you think you need that. You can download the full version from here, which is also free.
If you are asking if Sophos is free, the one downloaded from here is.
SInce you seem to be asking everybody, I don't recommend any particular one over the other. I have both installed on this computer along with VirusBarrier X5 and MacScan. I don't currently use any of them routinely, but they are here if I should ever need them. Real-time scanning is turned off, but I keep all but VB up-to-date (my VB subscription expired a few years ago).
Full disclosure: I do uncompensated tech support for the ClamXav Forum.

Inbuilt protection from viruses, etc.

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