Is an Anti Virus Software necessary in OS X

Hi
I have heard that there aren't many Viruses that affect OS X. is it necessary to have an Anti virus? Do they work for OS X or only scans Windows Viruses?

You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Privacy, useful:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1764179&tstart=0
Regarding MacScan, First update the MacScan malware definitions before scanning. You can also contact their support team for any additional support - [email protected]
Security of OS X generally:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/security/
http://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/os/applemac/I731-007R-2007.pdf
Security Configuration for Version 10.5 Leopard:
http://images.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/LeopardSecurity_Config_2ndEd.pdf

Similar Messages

  • Is anti-virus software necessary on Mac?

    Is anti-virus necessary on Mac? I am running Parallels Desktop and consistently receive offers to purchase Kaspersky Anti-Virus Software. I don't surf the net under the Windows 7 desktop, I've only been using Safari on the Mac side. Someone told me that the Windows 7 side of the Parallels desktop is suseptable to virus attacks if I'm not running some type of anti-virus software. Is this accurate? I've never had any problems on the Mac side of my Parallels desktop and in fact is one of the things I like the most about my Mac. When I had a PC, the resurces were constantly hijacked by scans and updates by Norton's and it took forever for my PC to boot.
    Stephen

    while norton is set to automatic upgrade, does it do so only when Windows is being used
    Yes. It's not running except when Windows is active, so it can't update. It will check for updates as soon as Windows is booted up.
    is norton working in the 'back-ground' against an anti-vius attack on Windows while I'm using OS X
    No. It's a Windows app, it can't run in OS X. Norton for Mac can run in OS X, but I don't recommend using that. Furthermore, as Windows is not running when you're in OS X (unless you have a virtual machine running) it _can't_ be attacked by malware. It's not around to be be targeted.

  • Anti Virus Software/ Mac Cleaning software - is it necessary?

    Hi,
    I was wondering if investing in any type of anti virus/ mac cleaning software would be worthwhile?
    I was looking at Clean my Mac from MacPaw http://macpaw.com/index and Norton AntiVirus for Mac. I was wondering if it would help, because for the few viruses that it would find on a Mac, the extra program running constantly in the background might slow it down even more.
    Any opinions/ suggestions are appreciated.

    HI,
    Just to make you aware there are no Mac viruses in the wild but if you want to use anti virus software get ClamXav
    Word to the wise. Norton is the worst software on the planet. It is literally a virus in itself. If you instal it, only an erase and install can rid you of it.
    And keep in mind, any anti virus software has a tendency to slow the system down. So if you notice a lag... you'll know why.
    Check out the post here by Klaus1: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9487317#9487317
    I've never used Clean My Mac before... so I really can't offer any advice on that one.
    Carolyn
    Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

  • Is it necessary to install an anti-virus software for mac?

    As above. Thanks.

    The only reason I have ever seen to install
    anti-virus on my Mac was to satisfy my corporate IT
    guys requirements that I am running up-to-date
    anti-virus software before putting my Mac on their
    LAN.
    I basically launch it if they want to see it, then
    close it...because its useless
    If your company's IT staff is not so bright, write up a shell script that echos stuff as if its scanning for virus. Something like
    #!/bin/bash
    echo "Scanning for virus"
    sleep 2
    echo "..."
    sleep 4
    echo "0 Virus(es) found"
    exit
    stick that in a file, chmod +x, run from terminal with 'sh files' or './file'
    BlackBook   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

  • What is Apple's position on Anti-virus software for the mac?

    I have started replacing my customers PCs with iMac's and Mac-Mini, and I have always operated on the assumption that anti-virus software is not necessary, but I fear that my opinion might need revisiting.  So I would pose the question again, does the community and/or Apple have an opinion on the need for Anti-Virus, Malware and all the other nasty inflictions.  If you, as a group or individually do recommend, what product would you recommend?  Thank You --- Bill Shaw - Kansas City, Mo.

    This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an attacker who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
    All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there is another layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications that are downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Applications certified in this way haven't actually been tested by Apple (unless they come from the Mac App Store), but you can be sure that they haven't been modified by anyone other than the developer, and his identity is known, so he could be held responsible if he knowingly released malware. For most practical purposes, applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed can be considered safe. Note, however, that there are some caveats concerning Gatekeeper:
    It doesn't apply to software that comes packaged as an installer. Treat all third-party installers with caution.
    It can be disabled or overridden by the user.
    It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets (see below.)
    It only applies to applications downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    For more information about Gatekeeper, see this Apple Support article. Notwithstanding the above, the most effective defense against malware attacks is your own intelligence. All known malware on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. How do you know a source is untrustworthy?
    Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
    A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. [Some reputable websites did legitimately warn users who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.]
    “Cracked” copies of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.
    Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
    Java on the network (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related) is always a potential weak spot in the security of any operating system. If a Java web plugin is not installed, don't install it unless you really need it. If it is installed, you should disable it (not JavaScript) in your web browsers. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This setting is mandatory in OS X 10.5.8 or earlier, because Java in those obsolete versions has known security flaws that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. The flaws will never be fixed. Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java can never be fully trusted, even if no vulnerabilities are publicly known at the moment.
    Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
    Never install any commercial "anti-virus" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software ClamXav — nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the filesystem. Malware gets into the system by being downloaded, not by materializing from nowhere.
    In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability and poor performance.
    By modifying the system at a low level, the software itself may create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks.

  • Will I need anti virus software for boot camp?

    Hi everyone,
    i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk. Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp? My main use for xp is for some unavailable software and pc games.
    And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?
    thanks guys

    "...i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk...."
    Why both? For instance, I have XP on my MacBook and I also have an old hard drive with XP (from another computer) in a portable case with USB. I can plug that thing into my MacBook and it is merely seen as an external storage drive. (I've never tried to boot from it though...)
    "...Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp?..."
    Obviously viruses etc come from outside places, so either they come from the 'net or else from email or disks or storage sticks. If someone knowingly or unknowingly planted malware on them then your not safe. Macs are immune (99.9%) and of course Windows is wide open for trouble. If you stay off the 'net that is 90% of the battle. The rest is whether or not YOU place on your system a file or disk or jump drive which has "been places".
    "...And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?..."
    With BootCamp you only need a hard firewall (a router, wireless or wire) and free AVG antivirus to protect your Windows side. (Unless you are doing serious file swapping and surfing scary websites - then you need to purchase top notch AV like Symantec) but that is only a problem for your Windows installation.
    Your Mac side will always (99.9%) be safe from your Windows problems.
    That is the great thing about BootCamp. Your Windows side could be totally infected and destroyed and you can still boot to OS X no problem and perform a fresh install of Windows. Windows needs protection - OS X just doesn't (unless the FBI, Interpol, and MI5 are after you - if someone WANTS to trash OS X they can. It appears no one ever wants to though...)
    I'm saying that if you intend to have external BootCamp SIMPLY to be safe (instead of just right on your Mac's internal hard drive) from viruses, it is not necessary. If you have Windows on your internal drive and only boot to it while offline it is the same safety level - totally safe. If you have the hard firewall and free AVG you are seriously safe as it is. And your Apple side is always safe no matter what.
    Just my opinion / experience. Others can chime in with their views / experiences - I'd like to hear them...
    Cheers

  • Installing anti virus software

    Does anyone have experience with Norton Anti Virus Software for the Mac?  I am running OS X Maveracks with a Parallels Destop 9 VM running Windows 7 with Norton 360 Security (a hold over from when I migrated to the Mac).  I am thinking I would like to install some form of Antivirus software on the MAC - Norton recommends their Norton Antivirus 12 for Mac.
    Couple of questions -
    1.  With the MAC OS X Is it really necessary or recomended to install Anti virus on a Mac?
    2.  Does any one know of issues with compatibility issues with installing Antivirus software on both the MAC and Windows VM?
    3.  Is there a single Antivirus product that can be installed which will cover both the MAC and Windows environments?
    Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

    Honestly, there's no reason to install AV software on the Mac.  When I first switched to Mac many years ago, I thought it was needed and learned afterwards that it really isn't.  I haven't had any AV software on any of my Mac for years now.
    There are some that say you should have it, but it's really there to protect files/emails that you may be getting/sending to Windows users.  But that's why they need AV software in the first place!
    And last, to my knowledge there are still no "true" Mac viruses in the wild.  There are some trojans and whatnot that I know of, but they all need user interaction to actually install so as long as you use good common sense, this shouldn't be a problem.
    That's my opinion, however, and others may differ.

  • Why No Anti Virus Software Required

    I am new to Mac and wonder why I hear and read that anti-virus software is not usually required ? This seems to be completely the opposite advice I hear for PC users.
    I use my iMac mainly for internet and e-mail, would readers advice I do actually install an anti-virus solution ?
    Note - There is a bit of debate on the BBC News website on this subject at the moment.
    Many thanks in advance.

    Some things, like clicking on a link and opening an email may not be safe; visiting a web site; an unpatched vulnerability in Flash, Java, or other plug-ins, those still exist.
    If you see a pop up that tells you to click on to scan, or alerts you that "your system....." it is malware. Ad servers can be infected. Google has had to try to clean their cache system.
    But virus in the traditional meanings of malware/spyware and rootkits or that AV traditional looks for...
    If you find that your email program doesn't filter junk or spot phishing exploits, you may, especially if you share files, or your ISP would hold you responsible for forwarding an email that while benign on OS X could affect the recipient's system.
    You didn't mention that the BBC thought it was UN-necessary:
    Eugene Kaspersky, co-founder and head of anti-virus research at Kaspersky, predicted a "significant rise" in Mac viruses back in April 2007. Has it happened? Not yet.... Symantec and McAfee both sell anti-virus software for Macs. So does anyone have any anti-virus software installed on their Macs? I don't on my machines. So am I smug and stupid or smug and wise?
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/03/macvirus_alarm_is_soundedaga.html
    Now, do I own but not use AV? Yes. I want to have something in place, if it is needed. ClamXav, Intego both offer programs or suites. Safari is not my browser of choice by default, but it does log errors, and the iPhone might be the most likely portal for a worm or virus, someday.

  • Do imac's need anti-virus software?

    Hi there, I am new to imac, I recently just replaced my windows 7 laptop with the new imac 21.5 inch. I have heard some very different opinions on this topic and to be honest I dont know which way to go. Is it necessary to have anti virus software/internet security protection on my imac? Previously to purchasing my my imac I used Kaspersky Pure. My sister still uses Windows 7 and has Kasperky Pure also. So whats the right thing to do? Anti Virus or not? I just want to make sure I do the right thing.. and since Im new to imac I thought the best thing to do was to ask for some expect advice.
    Thanks

    Mostly there is no need. Apple provides malware protection updates automatically if something appears that represents a threat. In recent years there haven't been any serious concerns.
    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.
    If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using ClamXav.

  • Do Apple products need anti virus software?

    Comcast says I need anti virus software for my email account.  Do I?

    Just for full disclosure, there are a handful of malware pieces out there. Also, "virus" is not the correction common definition. A virus is a particular type of unwanted, or damaging software. The more recent all encompassing term is malware, which is short for "malicious software".
    1. Viruses - Zero. Not a single virus of any kind has been found in the wild that affects the Mac OS.
    2. Worms - One long dead worm that reportedly infected less than 100 computers.
    3. Trojans - These are the most common (and there aren't a lot of them). They attempt to trick you installing them by pretending to be something else. They can't self replicate like a virus. Each infection requires the user's help to get it installed.
    4. Java attacks - These were the most recent. It was the first attack to successfully infect the Mac OS simply by visiting an infected web site. No user interaction was necessary. The easy fix was to turn Java off in your web browser. Leave JavaScript on. Despite the similar name, they have nothing to do with each other.
    Java, and the Mac OS have since been updated against these attacks, and the writers of these attacks apparently haven't been able to find a way around these patches. There have been no such attacks for over a year.
    Basically, the Mac needs no help. Those who do run AV software, or are required to (business office, school systems, etc.) are there to help catch the myriad of Windows malware that gets passed around. For the Mac in such situations, you're really just catching Windows malware that comes to you in the form of an email attachment so you don't unknowingly forward them to Windows users.

  • Do macs need anti virus software?

    I have heard people say that you do and other people say that you don't. Which one is it?
    Austin

    1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
    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 (see below.)
    It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been another layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't actually been tested by Apple (unless it comes from the Mac App Store), but you can be 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. For most practical purposes, applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed can be considered safe.
    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 find some other way to evade Apple's controls.         
    4. When you install the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime), yet another layer of protection is added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you log in. It seems to check for, and potentially remove, malware that may have been installed via a Java exploit. Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but not against unknown attacks. There is no user interface to MRT.
    5. Beyond XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT, there’s no benefit, in most cases, from any other automated protection against malware. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. All known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
    That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source. How do you know whether a source is trustworthy?
    Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
    A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
    Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
    Software 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.
    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, Java on the Web is 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 inessential 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. In Safari, this is done by unchecking the box marked Enable Java in the Security tab of the preferences dialog.
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a specific task, enable Java only when needed for the task and disable it immediately when done. Close all other browser windows and tabs, and don't visit any other sites while Java is active. Never enable Java on a public web page that carries third-party advertising. Use it, when necessary, only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
    Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
    7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software ClamXav — nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
    In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    8. ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
    ClamXav is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
    A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
    ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
    ClamXav may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
    9. The greatest harm done by anti-virus software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging threats, but they get a false sense of security from it, and then they may behave in ways that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
    10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

  • Anti-virus software for MacBook

    Hi, I came across plug in for enhancing the efficiency of MacBook and protecting it against viruses. My question is: Does MacBook require anti-virus software such as MacKeeper? Or is this software a malware?
    Thanks, Chaitanya Mehta

    ... Does MacBook require anti-virus software such as MacKeeper? Or is this software a malware?
    I consider MacKeeper "malware" and so do many others. OS X already contains all that is necessary to protect itself from viruses. The best thing you can do is ensure your OS is updated using Software Update.
    Never install anything without knowing exactly what it is, what it does, and how to eradicate it should it do something you do not want. Never supply your user name and password to something just because a popup window requests it.
    You should also consider using OpenDNS which has recently been improved to prevent certain malware from spreading. It's free and has many other useful features.

  • Cisco Jabber for Windows - Anti-Virus Software

    Hello,
    Cisco Jabber for Windows could not resolve outlook contacts, when a client has installed McAffee Anti-Virus Software.
    Is there any documentation available, how to setup a Anti-Virus Software, to get Cisco Jabber for Windows running?
    Cisco Jabber for Windows Version 9.2.4 Build 4528
    Outlook 2013
    Thanks
    Alex

    this is all what we mention about antivirus;  http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/jabber/Windows/9_2/JABW_BK_J6915A59_00_jabber-windows-server-setup/JABW_BK_J6915A59_00_jabber-windows-server-setup_chapter_00.html
    Some antivirus or firewall applications, such as Symantec EndPoint Protection, block inbound CDP packets, which disables desk phone video capabilities. You should configure your antivirus or firewall application to allow inbound CDP packets. See the following Symantec technical document for additional details about this issue: Cisco IP Phone version 7970 and Cisco Unified Video Advantage is Blocked by Network Threat Protection.
    with that being said; we probably would like to get the jabber process excluded from the antivirus list so that it allows for inbound MAPI communication as that is what is used for quering for the outlook contact.
    The only process that ever runs from Jabber for windows is "CiscoJabber.exe" which is located in the following path:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Cisco Systems\Cisco Jabber
    i hope this helps.

  • I have what appears to be a virus on my Mac namely MAL/FAK AV-OQ how can I remove it? I have only discovered after running SOPHOS anti virus software???

    I have what appears to be a virus on my mac namely MAL/FAK AV-OQ I only discovered it after installing SOPHOS anti virus software.
    I cannot remove it automatically with this software it says it has to be done manually.
    Where do I start???
    Help req'd urgently

    That is Windows malware, and cannot affect your Mac. See:
    http://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/viruses-and-spyware/Ma l~FakeAV-OQ.aspx
    It may be attached to an e-mail message or could be something that was copied over from a Windows machine via flash drive or something similar. If it is attached to an e-mail message, simply delete the e-mail. (Do not let Sophos, or any other anti-virus software, quarantine the message or attachment! That can corrupt the mailbox that the message resides in.) If it isn't an e-mail message, you can let Sophos quarantine and delete the file or you can delete it yourself.

  • Anti-virus software on Windows XP pro sp3 with Virtual PC

    Hi,
    I'm running Virtual PC 7.0.3 with Windows XP pro Sp3 on eMac. Has anyone found the need to run a anti-virus software etc as part of the Windows system? Or will the firewall on the broadband router modem be sufficient protection?
    Many thanks.

    Thanks for the reply.
    Any recommendations on AV software?
    I tried installing a free version of AVG AV but the install would not complete, I ended the process after 1.5 hours.

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