Is there any virus protection for iMac?

I know there are probably hundreds of programs for protecton against viruses for mac but I'm just wondering if there is one either built in or offered free through apple?

Just follow the experts' advice here. That's what I do. It's better than advice at the Mac Store. When I was new to Mac I bought Intego VirusBarrier at the Mac Store - got rid of it after some time.
One thing to watch - if you're offered, even pressurised, into using some 'free' software of this type by a supposedly ultra reliable source, i.e. your bank, yes, even one of the world's major banks, don't download it before checking it out in these Discussions. I am talking about Trusteer Rapport - avoid. Yes, I took my bank's advice and downloaded it some time ago, and removed it again. It wasted a lot of time. Perhaps it works better in Windows.

Similar Messages

Is there any virus protection for iPads

Looking to protect my iPad from viruses or hackers

There are no known virus in the wild for iOS. As long as you do not hack your device but leave it as stock iOS, there is nothing that can infect it.
Also, put a passcode lock on it, and don't let others handle it outside of your presence.

HT2311 Is there a virus protection for the apple iPad and iPad Air and iPhone 5 that we need to use for security?

Is there a virus protection for the apple iPads including the iPad Air and the iPhone 5, and if there is, how do we download it into our apple products? With everything that is going on it seems like I'm having more problems with freezing and crashing, getting kicked off my sites more often then ever! Is there a way to stop this?

There is no known malware capable of infecting an iOS device, unless it has been jailbroken. Due to the security that prevents malware, real anti-virus software on iOS is not possible, so none exists.
As to the problem, I'm unclear on exactly what you're seeing. What exactly does it mean to get "kicked off your sites?"

Are there any virus protection software out there for iPhone 5?

Just wanting to see there was a virus scanner for the iPhone 4/4s or 5. My phone has been freezing the couple of days. I just want to rule out all possibilities. Thanks.

Could be any number of things. Standard troubleshooting...
1. Try a Restart by pressing the sleep/lock button until you see the slider. Slide to power off. Restart by pressing the sleep/lock button until you see the Apple logo.
2. Try a Reset by pressing the home and sleep buttons until you see the Apple logo, ignoring the slider if, it comes up. Takes about 5-15 secs of button holding and you won't lose any data or settings.
3. Remove all apps from Recently Used list...
- From any Home Screen, double tap the home button to bring up the Recents List
- Tap and hold any icon in this list until they wiggle
- Press the red to delete all apps from this list.
- Press the home button twice when done.
4. If still a problem restore with your backup.
5. If still a problem restore as new, i.e. without your backup. See how it runs with nothing synced to it.
6. If still a problem, it's likely a hardware issue.

Virus protection for iMac-Leopard

There seems to be a divergence of opinion, in general, regarding the need for virus-protection software for Mac. ( I used Intego Internet Security with my previous machine- 15" Flat Screen with Tiger.)
The local Apple Store regarding the subject would say neither yes nor no.
(I only talked to a salesman, though.)
If there is a technically well-informed reader of this message, would you kindly answer the questions: a), is virus protection necessary; and b), if it is, would Intego be the way to go - if not, what would you suggest?

Another vote for ClamXav, a wonderful protection for Mac. mtatmc is 110% right. Antivirus/antimalware protection is not just thinking about yourself and your computer, it is about thinking about everybody's safety when browsing this internet. It's not just about infecting your own computer, but passing it over to your friends' computers, to your family members' computers etc. Of course, no one wants that to happen.
Maybe there are not so many viruses/trojans in the wild like there are for PCs, but don't be fooled... it is not thanks to Unix nor because Unix is safer than anything else out there... Nothing is bullet-proof and everything can be broken. It is just because PCs are a lot more popular than Macs, and attackers found them a lot more interesting to attack. Things are changing though and we have to be careful about this. Macs are becoming popular more and more, by the day... and it is just a question when these nasties will hit us. There are already some nasty trojans for the Macs in the wild, and you don't want to take any chances.
Besides ClamXav, there is avast! antivirus for Mac recently released. It is one of the best antiviruses out there, but it is not free... and the biggest problem, Mac version has some issues, some bugs that still need to be fixed. I am a long time avast! user on my PC, but on my Mac, I use ClamXav and I am not even sure if I will switch to anything else.
Another little thing... download and install DNS changer removal tool, it is a must have.
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/33696
Cheers!

Is there any virus protection/scanning in the Mail app on iPhones/iPads?

I recently received a virus through an email I opened on my iPhone. I believe with the virus scanning that Gmail does, it wouldn't have allowed me to open it if I had done so on my computer in the Gmail app. Just wondering if Apple provides any scanning/protection in the Mail app?

ss4156 wrote:
Not necessarily viruses infecting the device but email viruses that send 100's of spam emails to all contacts, etc.
Those sorts of attacks are the result of your email account being hacked through the email server. Your iPhone is not involved. Opening an email on your phone, unless you followed a link and gave out passwords would not cause that sort of problem. A virus is a program that has to run on your device. Even if a Windows virus were attached to the email, it simply can't run on an iOS device.

Virus protection for iMac?

Would it be useful to install internet security on my iMac? Norton, for example, has a version of their internet security specifically for Mac. This offers for one thing safe web, warning you against opening an unsafe site. As well it has a firewall to stop intruders. Is this useful, or is this really a Windows thing?
Could installing internet security harm my Mac?

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 your 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 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. 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.
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 Internet criminals. 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 red flags that indicate danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent or Usenet.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website.
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 popups.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
Software that you would otherwise have to pay for 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.
Unexpected events
You open what looks like a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file or message.
An application does something inexplicable, 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.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
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.
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" 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 one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store — nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. New threats are emerging on a daily basis. Research has shown that most successful attacks are "zero-day" — that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based malware scanners do not defend against such attacks.
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. An anti-malware 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 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 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, and even for that use it's not completely effective. 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 really care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless an institutional policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every unknown email attachment until proven otherwise.
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 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. "Hmmmm, this torrent is a crack of that new game I want. I think I'll download it. It could be a trojan, but the antivirus will warn me if it is." Then they wonder why their Mac is so slow all of a sudden. It's slow because it's running flat out mining bitcoins for a hacker who has already sold their credit card number and banking passwords to a criminal gang. Maybe a week later the antivirus does warn them, but what good does that do?
Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Need recommendations for trojan/virus protection for iMac osx10.7.3

Had Sophos, it does not work anymore, scans forever...literally then locks up.
Recently I am getting messages on the web that reference Flash and have had a few funky visuals of webpages along with some pages that previously had no issues not loading at all. Seems weird, and my gut says check it out!
I think it's time for a scan and make sure all is well in my macworld.
Thanks Gurus!
CindyM

First, disable Java in your browsers, The current threat uses Java via a web browserto show a fake installation window.
Second, run Software Update to get the latest Java version is you have Java currently installed (not automatics with 10.7 as I understand). That covers you if some site you use requires Java for log-in to a mail account (Yahoo and Hotmail require it).
Next, Before Dear Son gets home, set up a standard (not admin) account for him and set your admin acct so you have to log out/in manually instead of automatically. Both can be done through System Preferences > Accounts. Do not give him admin rights nor give in to his saying "I have to install this to visit my sites."
I also had my adult children with their own Macs to turn off automatic notifications in Software Update (also through System Preferences) and, if there is a pref pane fo Flash in System Preferences, also turn off their auto updates. That way, if anything pops up saying you need to update your system or Flash, there's a good change it's a fake.

Is there virus protection for the iPad

Is there virus protection for the iPad2, and if not will there be any in the near future.

Virus protection will be available as soon as someone writes the first Virus for iOS.

Do I need virus protection for my Imac ?

Is this a dumb question ?

Macs are not impervious to virus's. But if you do er on the paranoid, then there are a few options out there...
ClamXV http://www.clamxav.com/
an open source antivirus engine as a back end and has the ability to detect both Windows and Mac threats.
And Sophos http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition.aspx
I don't have any virus protection, and have never had any problems... this is one of the reason I made the switch.

HT4623 Is there virus protection for the iPad? Where would I find it? Thankd

Is there virus protection for the iPad available? Where would I find it please? Thanks
CathyJ248

There are no viruses for iOS currently.
iOS employs security features built into it-mainly sand boxing.
You can not download apps from the Internet, apps cannot make changes to the core system or system wide, apps can access data inside the app itself and a very limited set outside itself.
Sand boxing also prevents AV software from working in iOS.
You can't scan the device from the AV software because it can't access the other apps or their data.

Is there an anti-virus protection for this phone?

I believe that I could have picked up a virus is there a way I can check

I highly doubt you picked up a virus. The only way to install code is via the Windows Store which all apps are reviewed by Microsoft before releasing to the public to download.
What makes you think you picked up a virus?
To answer your question, no there is no anti-virus protection for Windows Phone.

HT1338 Is anti virus necessary for iMac? if so, what is the best software?

Is anti virus necessary for iMac? if so, what is the best software?

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.
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.
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. OS X 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 presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always 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 never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what 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 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 in this category, 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.
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.
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 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. 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 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 security software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging "zero-day" threats, but if they get a false sense of security from it, they may feel free to do things 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.

Virus protection for my macbook pro

Does anybody know of a good Virus protection for my macbook pro? Some people say i dont need one is that true? I was hoping to get a cheap/reasonable priced protection for a lil extra help. Im worried about my laptop getting a virus.

Thomas A Reed wrote:
sigh. Discussions about anti-virus software here are a hot-button topic, and often cause virtual fistfights. Not your fault, of course, but now there's a lot of confusing information being thrown back and forth here. Let me try to clear the air a bit.
First, regarding ClamXav, Kappy's link is fine, but I would refer you straight to the official ClamXav site rather than the MacUpdate page:
http://www.clamxav.com
There is another ClamXav site, ending in .org, that is fake. It's not related to the actual ClamXav. Don't go there. I'd love nothing better than to get that site taken down, but alas, that is not within my power.
I have mixed feelings about ClamXav. I like the guy who develops it, and I like the way it works... but it's not always on top of things with regard to malware definitions.
Regarding Avast, it is certainly not "the worst of the whole wretched lot" of anti-virus software. Neither is it something I would recommend highly. It has a tendency towards false positives, in my experience. Beyond that, I have not used it for a lengthy period of time, and cannot say more.
Go to my Mac Malware Guide and get the information you need to learn how to protect yourself, and then make your own educated decision about anti-virus software, based on your needs and behaviors. I have some recommendations there, and you can also take a look at the results of my testing of Mac anti-virus software. (Be sure to read the whole thing, and don't just skip straight to the results, as the results are meaningless without understanding what they mean and what they don't mean.)
With respect to your site and your basic research on the matter and limited time spent with these engines running, you have to see this from my side as well. I have over 20+ client networks that run nothing but the full licensed version of Avast with just the AV filters turned on (none of the Firewalling built into it of any kind). 2 of those clients are full Mac networks with 15+ Macs on them and they run the Mac version without issue. Their systems run at the same speed as they did without anything else on them. I also run the software myself daily an my system has no issues with slowness or anything. I have run Avast for the past 6+ years without problems with false positives or system corruptions of any kind, the same cannot be said for other platforms like McAfee and Norton who's bad signature updates have crippled entire networks. I have looked at numerous options from ESET to AVG Free and none of them have as small a footprint on the system as Avast in my professional opinion (one backed by over 15 years in the IT industry). While as of late I'll agree that the PC version of the software has had some additions to it that I don't agree with (like the newly added features of 8.0), the Mac version is still pretty basic in contrast. As such, even the PC side isn't bad, you just have to do a custom install and just exclude the additional options you don't want. Ultimately, they're adding it in there to try and protect idiot users more, but there's only so much you can do to keep people safe without piling on the security layers.
Anyway, as Thomas said... discussions about AV on Mac forums can go on for hours, but the fact remains that you run a risk with and without something on your system. Utimately it's your call to make, just be open minded and do your research instead of just taking the word of some home user of Macs with lot of points who've used these systems for over 10 years and are more proficient at protecting themselves than you are as a novice user. That is the best suggestion I can give you.

What is the best virus protection for a Mac?

What is the best virus protection for a Mac?

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.
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.
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 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. 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 presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. Beyond XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT, there’s no evidence of any benefit from other automated protection against malware. The first and best line of defense is always 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 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 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. 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 security 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.

Is there any virus protection for iMac?

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