Mac Anti-Virus/Malware Protection?

I have a MacBook running Snow Leopard.
I don't have any protection software running on my computer, but would like to be able to check my computer for spyware, malware, viruses, torjans, etc.
Ideally, it would be something I could run on a daily basis, but it wouldn't be something that would constantly run in the background, as I do lots of image and audio processing, and need as much processing power freed up for this as possible.
Any recommendations?
What am I most at risk from?
Price is important to me - at the moment, I'm unemployed, so I'd like to keep this as cheap as possible.
Many thanks for considering this question. Appreciated.

Thanks everyone, appreciated! :-D
I've been using Macs for years and got into the habit of not needing any of this stuff - realised I ought to check in and initial research was showing more reports of people having trouble, so I thought it worth checking in here.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.

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Is my understanding correct that you do not need to have anti-virus, malware, etc. for an iPad?

Is my understanding correct that you do not need to have anti-virus, malware, etc. for an iPad?

You do still need to be smart on the internet. YOu can be phished just as easily on an iPad that you can on a computer. So be smart with your internetting. THe iPad does offer a user more protection than a regular PC but a user's actions can change that.
ANd the relative immunity to viruses apply to non-jailbroken devices.

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I need recommendation for top 10 mac anti virus software.
thanks, Lucy126

I'm not sure that it is possible to come up with a true "top 10." Everyone's needs are going to be a little different, and there are many different criteria to consider.
I have done some testing that provides a basic measurement of one criterion, sorting anti-virus engines into a quantifiable list. See the latest results here:
Mac anti-virus testing 2014
It's important to understand, though, that this is a measurement of only one criterion, and there are other criteria that would cause me to actively recommend against some of the top ranked there. Some of them are likely to cause instability or errors, some serious performance issues and some a major problem with false positives.
If you are looking for a recommendation for some anti-virus software, I would strongly advise starting with a reading of my Mac Malware Guide. This will give you the information you need to learn how to stay safe online, and if you decide you want to use anti-virus software, it does include some recommendations.

Best anti virus/malware for Lion

What is the recommended anti virus/malware program for Lion now? The tech sites are suggesting that the time has come to install a security program becasue of recent attacks.

JackDPG wrote:
What is the recommended anti virus/malware program for Lion now? The tech sites are suggesting that the time has come to install a security program becasue of recent attacks.
Nothing is recommended. ClamXav or Sophos seem to be the choice of some that feel they need it.
Good Luck
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What is the preferred anti-virus/malware software for MacBook Air

What is the preferred anti-virusmalware software for MacBook Air?

None is required.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.
See these Apple articles:
          Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection
          OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          About file quarantine in OS X
If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using VirusBarrier Express 1.1.6 or Dr.Web Light both from the App Store. They're both free, and since they're from the App Store, they won't destabilize the system. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.)
From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:
The facts are:
1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.
2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there
     is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.
3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that
     the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering
     techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.
4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on
    your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a
    protection against malware.
5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware
    from which they purport to protect you.
6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.
7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.
8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something
    you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.
9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

Virus/malware protection programs

Does Apple recommend certain virus and malware security downloads?

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

Anti-virus/malware for routers?

I recently went through a nasty malware issue. After reformatting my laptop and having the issue return immediately, I was baffled. I then went on a few larger 'geek' sites and it was suggested I check the router since I had never bothered to change the default admin password.
Apparently a rewritten ZLOB variant was able to hijack my router. I logged into my router and most of the GUI was dismantled.
I reset the router (WRT54G) and then updated the firmware. I was then able to do my AV. Windows and anti-malware updates again (attempts were previously blocked)
I think I was infected from my GF's laptop after she logged into my router.All of her computers and her roommates computers are similarily infected...they have a DLink router.
I am running so many AV, anti-malware apps that it seemed impossible for me to get infected. Yet I did. Is there a way (other than changing the default password cause apparently it looks for routers that were unchanged) to protect my router?
It seems a matter of time before the router becomes the critical attack point.
I tWRT54G

Like I said, I have been doing this far too long to infect myself. I formerly worked for a large software developer. I reformatted this computer and was still getting the same problems.
There are several script attacks now out there that require no user actions to infect. If you read the link I provided from Trend Micro, they confirm this. Only by running with no java can you avoid these. I have seen four networks with both Linksys and D-Link routers infected by this attack. You can heed the warning from a customer or keep blaming me for the issue.
It does appear that a secure password is, for now, a good safeguard.
This issue is also affecting people running Mac's and iPhones through their router.
Fortunately I found a virus specialist who helped me identify the problem, though he is still unsure of the exact attack method and how the infection is exploiting all OS while some older configurations remain unaffected.
Indeed I failed to reset the admin password on my router following a power failure which opened me to the attack. I would think that at the very least a reminder to customers would be in order.
If this is a sign of things to come, perhaps Cisco would be wise to lead the field by creating a method of tieing in the router to an anti-virus/anti-malware scan.

Mac Anti Virus?

Do I really need an anti virus software? Norton or other? Thanks.

About the best you can do, if running Mac OS X in your computer and not Windows (as you'd get an av software for that system, if running via BootCamp or other emulation) would be to get and use ClamXav to scan your system, and if you find anything it can help isolate the item.
•ClamXav:
http://www.clamxav.com/
However there are no known virus that affect Macs in the wild; and there are some questionable things that aren't going to be prevented by a software without the ability to think ahead to prevent that which hasn't been invented yet.
There may be a fair antivirus software for mac, but one of the best ones (supposedly) no longer is available.
If you are concerned with Leopard 10.5.8, that is fairly obsolete. Your larger worries may come from what you can get by browsing and installing junkware such as cleanmymac, mackeeper, and other 'helpers' that don't help Mac OS X do anyhing but run slow and fail. Other items known as 'adware' can be addressed by not falling for trying to install software from questionable sites, and being careful to not click on anything pretending to be anything free. Usually a mouse-over can tell you in the browser margin, what the link is; though that can't be counted on as a true indicator of the content.
Ads that pepper the edges of legitimate web site content have to be watched, since you may not want the thing they are selling; some items install almost instantly, such as adware items. Removal is more than finding an uninstaller, and where available, they often do nothing to remove the problem. Some ad to it.
Some fair helpful reading, though not totally conclusive, may be found in the following pages; some of the methods require a pathway of checking through items to be sure what you are looking at. And fairly good ideas on removing problems. And there are other perspectives; most honest ones do not require purchasing or downloading to resolve an issue.
•The Safe Mac - Adware Removal Guide:
http://www.thesafemac.com/arg/
•The Safe Mac - Mac Malware Guide:
http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/
•The Safe Mac - Mac Performance Guide:
http://www.thesafemac.com/mpg/
•The Safe Mac - The Myth of the Dirty Mac:
http://www.reedcorner.net/the-myth-of-the-dirty-mac/
Anyway, if you decide to try & upgrade your Mac OS X be sure you and the Mac are ready for it, and have a suitable backup clone on a reliable externally enclosed hard disk drive that can boot & run the Mac from its clone. Then, any upgrade is not a dead end, since you can revert more easily with a complete clone of all your older system and your user accounts, etc. Be sure to test the clone for all it should be, prior to attempting any major system repair or maintenance that may compromise iMac's hard disk drive & content.
You can find quality backup external hard disk drive products with their own power supplies, at mac-centric vendors such as macsales.com (aka OWC) as well as quality replacement parts, optical drives, RAM, etc.
Forget Norton. It may have been OK back in the pre-X days of the original Mac OS 8. Maybe. I've had every Mac OS from Mac OS 6.0 through 9.2.2, and only Mac OS X from 10.0 through 10.5.8. Plus a few Missing Manuals for later Mac OS X, and some Mac software... often bought at extreme discount second-hand.
Very likely your iMac does not need an antivirus product. Careful web browsing and to pay close attention to the places you visit, things you click on, and be a skeptic when the ads tell you how to cure a slow mac. My Macs have none of that; a few still run Tiger 10.4.11, and only one can run Snow Leopard 10.6.8, and while I have a nice 30¢ missing manual, have not bought the $20 retail DVD.
Good luck & happy computing!
{edited 3x}

Hi, I recently purchased an IPad Air. I have a Dell PC that has the Verizon. Security Suite. Do I need to have virus/malware protection for the IPad Air? Thanks.

Hi, I recently purchased an IPad air. Do I need to place virus protection software for it? I also have a Dell PC that has the Verizon Security Suite. Thanks for your info. Jim

You do not need anti virus for the iPad. The ipad only installs things from the App Store and those apps are vetted. In addition, the operating system of the ipad isn't the same as PC's or Macs so common viruses don't run on them.
The only thing you need to be aware of is protecting your info....Go to a bad site and enter your info and you're just as vulnerable as you would be on a computer. So the device isn't vulnerable to anything but user actions.

Anti virus for mac, anti virus for mac

Is ther an anti virus for mac?

Sophos free home use for mac
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition.aspx
also ClamXav available free from apple store
I found I was happier with sophos running
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57422099-285/two-free-mac-antivirus-apps-com pared/
read
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2010/feb/03/apple-data-computer-sec urity
Personal Preference.

Any protection required iPad like Internet security anti virus, Any protection required iPad like Internet security anti virus

I have iPad 4 but I feel my iPad becomes slower and sometimes it takes time to open a program I wounded if iPad can be affected by virus and other kind of spyware when I I use the internet and if any which software that I should use to protected my iPad and keeps it work fast

No, there is nt effective antimalware apps for iOS, and you don't need it. The sandboxed structure of the iOS and the fact that you can't install anything on it except via the App store protects it as well as any anti virus sofware could.
A couple of things you can do:
Try a reset: Simultaneously hold down the Home and On buttons until the device shuts down. Ignore the off slider if it appears. Once shut down is complete, if it doesn't restart on it own, turn the device back on using the On button. In some cases it also helps to double click the Home button and close all apps BEFORE doing the reset.
Check the amount of storage that is currently available on the iPad (Settings app > General > Usage. If you are getting close to the limit (say a GB or less), try deleting some content and freeing up space.
Make sure you are running the most current version of iOS 7.0.6 as of this writing).

Anti-virus/hacker protection for Iphone sms vulnerability

Hi
With the widespread news of a text/sms vulnerability going round Iphones that once viewed can infect/take control of your iphone (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20090729121839257 plus many other recent news articles) I would like to know of what anti-virus/hacker prevention software there is available, either as an app, or apple download patch, that can properly protect the Iphone against this threat and others? The link I provided says there is a patch available via Itunes - please can anyone point me in the right direction?
Thank you for any help.
Matt

matth76 wrote:
The link I provided says there is a patch available via Itunes - please can anyone point me in the right direction?
Matt, if you plug the iPhone into the computer iTunes will tell you the OS version you have. If 3.0.1 you are good to go. If 3.0 it will tell you there is a new version and ask if you want to install it. Installing 3.0.1 will fix the SMS vulnerability.
Phil

What about anti-virus -spyware protection

Is Virus ,spyware protection aval. for i pad.

AV software cannot run on the iPad even if it existed.
iOS sandboxes apps, not allowing them to affect other apps or make system wide changes.
All AV software could do was scan itself for malware or possibly your email.

What is the best mac anti virus

Please dont just say to get clamxav or that mac dont get viruses because they do.
Well they mostly get trojans.
ps clamxav *****!

Hi,
I have been using Sophos Antivirus, it has picked up trojans or whatever it was that was downloaded just by using Apple Mail on both my wife's user account, but at the time it picked it up I was using my own user account!!
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition.aspx.
I know I won't be changing AV Products.
Hope this helps.
Hugh

Virus/Malware Protection?

Just read this - http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/04/14/216231/new-targeted-mac-os-x-trojan-req uires-no-user-interaction
Wondering what protection (besides making sure the OS is up-to-date) people are using.
Thanks!

The usual.
Have a reliable back up plan. Use it.
Change your passwords once in a while.
Beware of phishing attempts. Apple will never email you requesting personal information, passwords, Apple IDs, billing information, etc.
Don't hang out in bad neighborhoods (the pirate bay comes to mind)
Don't click on links sent to you in authentic-looking but nevertheless totally fraudulent emails
Don't supply your name and password just because a popup box wants it
Don't install anything unless you are certain of what it does and how to get rid of it
Don't install any third party snake oil claiming to clean up / speed up / optimize / etc. your Mac. They will do the opposite.
Don't ever believe popup ads saying you your Mac is infected with some ick. These are all 100% fraudulent attempts to separate you from your money.

Mac Anti-Virus/Malware Protection?

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