No anti-virus on install please.

I already have a paid for Anti-virus. I don't need your anti-virus(McAfee) being installed onto my computer. Truthfully any and all "extra" software buggs the H*** out of me.

That is a problem and we are sympathetic but do you see how hard it is to help with only this amount of information? We need the model of the laptop, the version of Windows, how you are trying to install, maybe a little history of what got you to this point. Help us help you, in other words.

Similar Messages

Whats a good anti-virus to install on my Mac?

whats a good Anti-Virus to install on my Mac,either a free version or a paid version?

I have used ClamXav for years, and can recommend it. While it's free, it doesn't hurt to donate something to the developer that maintans it. http://www.clamxav.com

Brand new computer - Windows 7 - Browser Mozilla Firefox - Trying to install Adobe Flashplayer - after initial box appears, I click 'save' and nothing happens - McAffee Anti virus already installed

Brand new computer - Windows 7 - Browser Mozilla Firefox - Trying to install Adobe Flashplayer - after initial box appears, I click 'save' and nothing happens - McAffee Anti virus already installed - how do proceed?

Try using these installers:
Flash Player for ActiveX (Internet Explorer)
Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)

How to detect which Anti Virus is installed?

I want to know how can I detect which anti virus is installed on the system using C#?
Jassim Rahma

You can use WMI to query this information. The code to do so would work like this:
ManagementObjectSearcher searcher = new ManagementObjectSearcher(@"root\SecurityCenter2", "SELECT * FROM AntiVirusProduct");
ManagementObjectCollection result = searcher.Get();
if (result.Count > 0)
    foreach (ManagementObject item in result)
        Console.WriteLine("Your computer is protected by: {0}", item["displayName"]);
else
    Console.WriteLine("Your computer is not protected!");
Note that the location on that first line might be "root\SecurityCenter" on some systems. It might be best to run this portion of code for both "root\SecurityCenter" and "root\SecurityCenter2".
Coding Light - Illuminated Ideas and Algorithms in Software
Coding Light Wiki • LinkedIn • ForumsBrowser

HT1338 What is the best Anti-Virus to install on Mac OS X 10.6.8? Which one is the most effective?

Dear all,
I would like to get more references about which antivirus program could be more powerful and effective to maintain the Mac OS X 10.6.8 secure.
Many thanks in advance,

Hello:
NO anti-virus software is needed (or desirable) for a Mac running OS X. There are NO viruses that affect a Mac running OS X - none. You will hear that some malware exists, but that is preventable by avoiding strange sites or downloading from unknown sources.
Barry

My online bank has recommended we turn on Firewall and download an anti-virus programme. Understood MAC is already protected please advise

I have a MAC desktop version 6.1.6.
My online Bank has recommended Firewall turned on and download a separate anti-virus programme.
Please advise and we understood MAC has anti-virus built in
Kind regards
Karinband

Do not download anti-virus programs for your Mac. They do not need them. Have you got Java disabled. If so turn it on again for the duration of your work with the bank, then torn it off.
This is what to do with iMacs 10.6.8 or earlier. Incidentally, you really should update your profile, questions may apply to some versions and not others. Your iMac cannot be 6.1.6.

Where will the anti virus subscription I paid be install? the printer belongs 2 my sister in law.

my name is Sylvia {Removed per Forum Guidelines} and just paid the anti virus subscription today.the prin ter belongs to my sister in law grace. where will the anti virus be installed? you might install in my sister in law computer because she owns the printer. I just want to be sure that the anti virus will be installed in my laptop. thank you.

Hi Sylvia,
Like AWBrown mentioned, it depends on whether you purchased a boxed retail version or a digitally-delivered subscription. If you purchased a boxed retail version, then you should be able to install the program on the device of your choice at any time using the included CD/DVD. If you purchased a digitally-delivered subscription (or received one with the purchase of a new computer or tablet), then you'll need to download and install it through BestBuy.com's Digital Library.
BestBuy.com > Digital Library > How it Works
http://bbyurl.us/HowItWorks
Depending on the program, you may also be referred to the publisher's official support site to finish setup and activate your subscription.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Aaron|Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
Private Message

Once and for all: Do I need anti-virus software for my Mac?

I've always heard that you don't really need anti-virus or anti-spyware software for Macs - but I do wonder that there has to be viruses about that would affect Macs?
I do alot of creative and professional work on my Mac. The data on it, means a **** of a lot to me, and I'd hate for my Mac to be infected with something horrible.
Could anybody please tell me if I really do need anti-virus or anti-spyware software for my iMac? And if I do, which one do you recommend? (Ideally I would want it to be cheap and not hog lots of system resources)...
Thank you!

Hi
I can only give you my personal experience on this one.
The short answer is "no". I've been using macs for the past 4 years, my partner for many more. Neither I nor she have an anti virus program installed.
We both use firewall on both the os x setup and via our router. I tend to install the security updates posted by apple after they are released and check the forums to be aware of any potential problems.
A much better idea is to back up your important projects etc on a regular basis to dvd and external hard disk.
I have one experience of anti-virus software on the mac:
About 2.5 years ago i thought i had a virus - my diskspace was being eaten up at a very very fast rate - and i was worried. Found out that the os update from 10.3.2 to 10.3.5 had an incompatability issue with the mcafee shock game controller driver (obscure eh!)
Anyway, after this experience and deleting the driver which i no longer needed, i decided to err on the side of caution and tried out both mcafee and norton. Both of which slowed down my system and norton especially caused problems when i was running logic pro etc. really really annoying.
Once i'd got over my "insecure" stage and having spoken to other mac users i realised anti-virus software was causing many many more issues than resolving any - and besides since then i have still had no problems and have never come across any viruses on mac os x.
It all depends on what makes you feel safer. Personally i wouldn't recommend ant-virus programs... i wonder if anyone has any positive experiences of anti-virus software on the mac?
that's my 0.02 pence

Webroot Anti-Virus/Spysweeper Causing Computer to Freeze

Hey there! I've got a question in regards to anti-virus software.
I've got Webroot Anti-Virus/Spysweeper installed as my anti-virus on my computer (I've got Windows Vista Ultimate as my operating system). I installed it at the recommendation of the Geek Squad guy at my local Best Buy because McAfee was causing a lot of problems on my computer. Everything with my Webroot was running fine until recently.
I'm not sure what caused the problem, but when I started having problems last Friday when I went to restart my computer. It would get to the log in screen, and I'd log in. Eventually, my desktop would come up, but my computer wouldn't connect to my internet, and eventually would just freeze up. This continued until I essentially couldn't get into my computer. I took my computer to the helpdesk at my school, and one of their tech guys said that he tracked the problem to my Webroot Anti-Virus software. I got my computer back with the Webroot disabled, and sure enough, it ran fine. When I went in through the MSCONFIG and turned the Webroot back on and attempted to start up my computer again, it froze up just like it had before. However, when I disabled it through the MSCONFIG, my computer started up and ran just fine once more. My gut tells me it has something to do with my Windows Defender and Firewall running at start up, but I'm not entirely sure.
What I'm asking is has anyone else had this problem before? If so, were you able to solve it without uninstalling the Webroot? What did you do? I'm asking because I really like the Webroot software, haven't even had it for a year, and I really don't want my money to go to waste. And please, don't tell me to uninstall Webroot and get something different, because right now, I just can't afford to do that.
Thanks to everyone who helps!! It's much appreciated!

Hopefully this site can get you a general idea of whats going on, I have no clue to be honest with you..
http://help.lockergnome.com/security/problems--ftopict9077.html
*******DISCLAIMER********
I am not an employee of BBY in any shape or form. All information presented in my replies or postings is my own opinion. It is up to you , the end user to determine the ultimate validity of any information presented on these forums.

Anti-virus software for MacBook Pro?

Okay...seriously this may be the most ridiculous question out there...but can't find a **** solution to it ...so let it be ridiculous...or dumb? I just purchased a MacBook Pro...been using PC's all my life...and am wondering how the **** Macs are keeping our system healthy w/o an anti-virus software installed? How does that even work? Or does it not...and I should be afraid? I just discovered that my MacBook Pro does not have an anti-virus software as a standard....so am I suppose to search for one? Or is Mac way to cool to even deal with such? LET ME KNOW! Please. Thanks.

Norak,
I understand your concerns as I switched from Windows 2000 to Mac OS X in July 2005.
There are three (3) well knows anit-virus products for Mac OS X. (I am sure there are others, I just don't know about them.) They are:
1. Norton Anti-Virus. $70. Don't know if it supports Intel-based Macs.
2. Intego VirusBarrier. $70. Universal binary.
3. ClamXAV. $zero. Don't know if it supports Intel-based Macs.
Before buying/installing any AV software, you should surf to:
MacUpdate
and
VersionTracker
and read people's comments about them. All three have weaknesses and the commercial ones have caused problems in the past.
I have ClamXAV installed on my Power Mac, but I don't know if it works as it has never detected a virus. However, on my Windows computer, GriSoft's AVG only detected one virus-infected file a year.
,dave
P.S. You probably also have questions about firewalls and spyware. Here are some answers.
1. Firewall. The built-in firewall in Mac OS X is pretty good and very easy to configure. Its weakness is that it does not protect against outgoing transmissions (as Zone Alarm on Windows does). Little Snitch is software that performs this function.
2. Spyware. Seems to be a non-existent problem on Mac OS X. There some software packages out there to address the problem.

Best anti virus program to purchase

I have tried the free versions of Cyberdefender, Prevx, ESET, PC Tools, AVG and Webroot. Most are just scanners or trial versions, but I am looking to buy the full version one of these. All of these offer a $29 paid version (except AVG-$34 is cheapest paid version). I am leaning to Cyberdefender, but I would like some feedback if anyone has used the paid version. I like that Cyberdefender is a public company and that they have 24/7 computer help that goes beyond tech help for the software. I would like to know if someone has some information on the performance of the paid version of these programs?Which offers the best protection/speed balance? Do you think the 24/7 computer help is valuable? I know that if I call the Geek Squad, they charge an arm and a leg just to look at a system, so I think it is.
Any thoughts?
When I buy, I look for More...

I haven't purchased one for home use in several years, and I usualy recommend the following for home use.
Either AVAST Free Edition of Grisoft's AVG Free edition
My preference of late has been with AVAST's product because updates are timely. There are quite a few settings to customize the level of protection you want (or need). AVAST scored highly on it's low use of system resources (about 10% according to PC Magazine), while it's detection level scores higher than McAfee or Symantec's product, it does score a little lower on virus removal than those products. Overall though, it scored just as well or higher than commercial products you pay for. Consider that you don't have to pay for, that's pretty impressive. I couple it with Lavasoft's free edition of Ad-aware.
Grisoft's AVG Free Edition has also been a great app for years, though many users have been upset with some of the changs incorporated with version 8, PC Magazine rated it very high.
McAfee's product seems to have been systematically going down hill over the past few years.
Symantecs product was going through the same thing, but the 2009 version seems to have addressed the complaints about system performance.
Webroot's product is very good and rates high in detection and removal, but it tends to be a resource hog.
The most important thing about any anti-virus software is that you keep it updated and set the security levels appropriately. Most anti-virus apps install with default settings that try to balance system performance and level of detection - especially the resident detection shield which constantly monitors files accessed by your system. You can increased the level of detection and see if the setting affects your system performance too much. You can also change the default settings for which file types it scans. Most apps will have a default list, but you can include more file types (with probably some level of performance hit) and see if that gives you the level of protection you want/need.

My Macbook pro has had two kernel panics recently. Could it be Sophos anti virus software? Here is the error report: Interval Since Last Panic Report: 209275 sec Panics Since Last Report:          1 Anonymous UUID:                    B29E4ED8-E695-459

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 209275 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          1
Anonymous UUID:                    B29E4ED8-E695-459A-B922-5E2DED9D42A2
Wed Aug 1 06:58:39 2012
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff80002c473a): Kernel trap at 0xffffff800031b53f, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x0000000080010033, CR2: 0x00000000000000d0, CR3: 0x0000000020b00023, CR4: 0x00000000000606e0
RAX: 0x000000000000000d, RBX: 0x0000000000008000, RCX: 0xffffff8014516b20, RDX: 0x0000000000008000
RSP: 0xffffff80f057baf0, RBP: 0xffffff80f057bb30, RSI: 0xffffff80131caf80, RDI: 0x0000000000000000
R8: 0x0000000000000000, R9: 0x0000000000000000, R10: 0xffffff80131cafb8, R11: 0x0000000000000000
R12: 0xffffff80e9ca1b00, R13: 0xffffff8015a7f000, R14: 0xffffff80131caf80, R15: 0x0000000000000000
RFL: 0x0000000000010282, RIP: 0xffffff800031b53f, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000010
CR2: 0x00000000000000d0, Error code: 0x0000000000000000, Faulting CPU: 0x0
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff80f057b7a0 : 0xffffff8000220792
0xffffff80f057b820 : 0xffffff80002c473a
0xffffff80f057b9d0 : 0xffffff80002da0cd
0xffffff80f057b9f0 : 0xffffff800031b53f
0xffffff80f057bb30 : 0xffffff7f80ae55e4
0xffffff80f057bcb0 : 0xffffff800053d509
0xffffff80f057bcf0 : 0xffffff8000582f84
0xffffff80f057bde0 : 0xffffff80005893e6
0xffffff80f057bed0 : 0xffffff80005897c9
0xffffff80f057bf60 : 0xffffff80005ccfe8
0xffffff80f057bfb0 : 0xffffff80002da5e9
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.sophos.kext.sav(8.0.4)[898EB02E-4A1D-1F59-6625-C0466041D6C4]@0xffffff7f80ae 3000->0xffffff7f80ae7fff
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: InterCheck
Mac OS version:
11E53
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 11.4.0: Mon Apr 9 19:32:15 PDT 2012; root:xnu-1699.26.8~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: A8ED611D-FB0F-3729-8392-E7A32C5E7D74
System model name: MacBookPro8,2 (Mac-94245A3940C91C80)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 51418744072298
last loaded kext at 3635848934754: com.seagate.driver.PowSecDriverCore          5.1.1 (addr 0xffffff7f809df000, size 172032)
last unloaded kext at 3695866490895: com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice          3.2.0 (addr 0xffffff7f808c1000, size 86016)
loaded kexts:
com.sophos.kext.sav          8.0.4
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs          1.7.2
com.apple.filesystems.afpfs          9.8.1
com.apple.nke.asp_tcp          6.0.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor          1.9.5d0
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver          122
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC          1.59
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA          2.2.0f3
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver          2.2.0f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient          3.5.9
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl          1.0.26
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHD3000Graphics          7.1.8
com.apple.driver.AGPM          100.12.42
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor          3.0.2d6
com.apple.kext.ATIFramebuffer          7.1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC          5.0.0d0
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet          1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager          4.0.5f11
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU          2.0.1d2
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X          7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver          1.2.2
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin          5.0.0d0
com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl          3.0.16
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC          1.5.8
com.apple.ATIRadeonX3000          7.1.8
com.apple.filesystems.autofs          3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons          225.2
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController          4.0.5f11
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard          225.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController          312
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless          1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib          1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache          33
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient          3.2.0
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter          404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI          2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage          2.0.3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub          4.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI          4.8.9
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331          530.4.20
com.apple.driver.AppleSDXC          1.2.0
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet          3.1.2b2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM          1.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager          161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort          2.3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI          4.5.8
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET          1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS          1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient          193.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall          3.2.30
com.apple.security.quarantine          1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement          193.0.0
com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword          1.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib          2.2.0f3
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController          1.0.10d0
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface          80.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily          10.0.5
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP          2.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController          2.2.0f3
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily          2.2.0f3
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily          1.8.6fc17
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib          1.3
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl          3.0.16
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC          3.1.3d8
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy          5.0.0d0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI          1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl          3.0.16
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily          5.1.0d17
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert          1.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport          2.3.2
com.apple.kext.ATI6000Controller          7.1.8
com.apple.kext.ATISupport          7.1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB          7.1.8
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily          2.3.2
com.apple.kext.triggers          1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPInAdapter          1.8.2
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPAdapterFamily          1.8.2
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltPCIDownAdapter          1.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController          4.0.5f11
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily          4.0.5f11
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch          227.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver          4.4.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub          4.5.3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite          4.5.8
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice          3.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily          1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily          1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily          1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily          3.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltNHI          1.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOThunderboltFamily          2.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient          4.5.8
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily          4.4.5
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family          420.3
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController          1.0.1b1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily          2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily          2.0.8
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily          4.5.8
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime          1.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily          1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily          1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox          177.5
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch          1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet          7
com.apple.driver.DiskImages          331.6
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily          1.7.1
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore          28.18
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform          1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily          2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily          1.4
Model: MacBookPro8,2, BootROM MBP81.0047.B27, 4 processors, Intel Core i7, 2.2 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 1.69f3
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6750M, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, PCIe, 512 MB
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000, Intel HD Graphics 3000, Built-In, 512 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3037332E4130304C4620
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3037332E4130304C4620
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0xD6), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.198.4.20)
Bluetooth: Version 4.0.5f11, 2 service, 11 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: TOSHIBA MK5065GSXF, 500.11 GB
Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-8A8
USB Device: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in), apple_vendor_id, 0x8509, 0xfa200000 / 3
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2513, 0xfa100000 / 2
USB Device: BRCM2070 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0xfa110000 / 5
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x821a, 0xfa113000 / 7
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, apple_vendor_id, 0x0252, 0xfa120000 / 4
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2513, 0xfd100000 / 2
USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0xfd110000 / 3

Yes.    "BSD process name corresponding to current thread: InterCheck"
Apparently InterCheck is the Sophos scanner.
Uninstall Sophos > http://openforum.sophos.com/t5/Sophos-Anti-Virus-for-Mac-Home/Removing-Sophos-An ti-Virus-for-Mac-Home-Edition/td-p/37
Then restart your Mac. Hopefully no more kernel panics.
According to the Sophos system requirements, you should be able to run Sophos on Lion v10.7
If you want to have anti virus software installed, you can download ClamXav from the App Store. Might have better luck.

Do you need to add an anti virus on mac pros

I purchased a mac pro for my son and was sold an anti virus to install. Do i really need to install this? I would rather not. Thanks

You can get by just fine without anti-virus at this time, though you should be aware of dangers and be cautious online. See my Mac Malware Guide.
Note that, even if you do decide to use anti-virus software, you shouldn't pay for anything. The best options are free. So return whatever software you were convinced to buy. Also, although ClamXav has been a popular recommendation on these forums, recent testing I did shows that it doesn't do such a great job. See Mac anti-virus detection rates.

Anti-virus for imac

Hi,
I have a new iMac. does it have its own anti virus pre-installed..since i have installed hotspot shield for mac, i have been downloading movies from the web. does that make any harm or bring any virus to the mac from the web. if yes, whats the solution..
Thank you,

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 you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
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.

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.

No anti-virus on install please.

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