Protect from Spyware and Adware

How do I protect my Mac mini from Internet Spyware and Adware?

Problem with virus scanners is they need system wide access to do their jobs and when you run it on systems with no viruses thinking you are safe you get a bit smug and things can bite you in the butt:
ClamAV suffers from problems with at least four of the components used for processing different file formats, according to researchers.
"During the processing of TNEF, CHM, and FSG formats an attacker is able to trigger several integer overflows that allow attackers to overwrite heap data to obtain complete control of the system," in an advisory [pdf].
ClamAV installations are vulnerable by default and could be triggered via an email, according to researchers.
ClamAV is found on a wide variety of platforms. It is included in Mac OS X Server by default and has numerous Windows implementations; all of these derivatives are likely to be vulnerable.
That was back when I bought this mac (only a few months back) and thought I needed to run Spyware utilities everyday and Antivirus like on the PC. After reading up on the virus situation on OS X I finally settled on running Little Snitch and let everyone else beta test the Antivirus market for OS X.
Thank to this security scan site, I get the following:
We have determined that your IP address is
This is the public IP address that is visible to the internet.
Note: this may not be your IP address if you are connecting through a router, proxy or firewall.
Trying to gather information from your web browser...
Operating System = Macintosh PowerPC Mac OS X
Browser = AppleWebKit 412.7
Trying to find out your computer name...
Unable to determine your computer name!
Trying to find out what services you are running...
Unable to detect any running services!
All this from doing absolutely nothing. Well, I did buy a good wireless router which out of the box had everything enabled by default (double firewall, stealth mode, etc.)

Similar Messages

Spyware and adware softwares please

Does the firewall protection available with OS X provide protection against spyware and adware? If not can anyone please advise which software should be used in order to identify and delete spyware from the harddrive. Many times I have opened sites and a number of ad windows pop up. I do keep up with the security updates.
I have definitely received "phishing" e-mails I've immediately passed on to the proper authorities, of course, I have never answered them as this would have been for sure the way to get your private information stolen. In any case there still remains the possibility of spyware installed in my computer and I would like to be able to check and eliminate such software should it indeed be there.
Thanks
Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I forgot to mention that I do have "block pop-ups" checked in Safari preferences. However, I have just done a search of the Apple site and have come up with quite a few answers.

Getting warnings from safari about spyware and adware ?

My iMac just popped up a screen while i was in pintrest and froze . It had on it a warning about spyware and possible adware, virus in my computer.
It also read to call a 1-888 number to rectify this issue. This also stated it was from safari (windows)
Has anybody experienced this?

KIPCO wrote:
What do you think of this Adwaremedic? It is saying that my firefox has a problem and that I should turn off my com and reboot
It sounds like AdwareMedic probably found a variant of Conduit (aka Trovi, aka SearchProtect) on your computer, in which case it will give you a warning that Firefox may have been compromised. This is a generic warning, and it will be given whether you have Firefox installed or not. (That's something I've been meaning to change, but haven't gotten around to it yet.)
As for why it's telling you to reboot, some of the items that were removed must require a reboot in order to fully disable and remove them. If AdwareMedic tells you to reboot after removing adware, you should do so. Choose Restart from the Apple menu.

Protecting from Piracy and copying

Does anyone know if DVDSP can protect DVDs from copying and piracy?
I want to run lots of copies off from my master but want to make sure none can be copied.

As Shawn said.. forget it. It is trivial to decrypt a DVD, rip the contents and use it anywhere you like. Not legal, I grant you, but trivial nonetheless.
You can pay for a replicated disc to have CSS applied but it really won't prevent the most slightly determined person from getting your content.
And as for burning the copies from your master, copy protection just can't be applied; a DVD-R or +R cannot have protection put on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anti-spyware and anti-adware please

I didn't know quite where in the Apple forum to post these questions:
Does the firewall protection available with OS X provide protection against spyware and adware? If not can anyone please advise which software should be used in order to identify and delete spyware from the harddrive. Many times I have opened sites and a number of ad windows pop up. I do keep up with the security updates. I have searched the internet but am not sure if I should be downloading any of the softwares available. If anyone has any experience with these softwares please advise.
I have definitely received "phishing" e-mails I've immediately passed on to the proper authorities, of course, I have never answered them as this would have been for sure the way to get your private information stolen. In any case there still remains the possibility of spyware installed in my computer and I would like to be able to check and eliminate such software should it indeed be there.
Thanks
Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Don,
A firewall can't and won't protect you from your own actions. Don't get me wrong: Enable it and configure it properly.
If you visit skanky, dodgy, questionable, or otherwise unsavory Web sites, you're inviting problems. Especially if you go there with Open "safe" files after downloading checked in your Safari > Preferences >General tab, surf the Web logged into an administrator profile, click the Yes/No box to view content, install viewers (and provide your admin password to do so), use Limewire or other P2P, etc...
There is software that claims to detect spyware, but I haven't tested it or seen the code. Except for Apple's widget updater, I haven't seen much of anything in the way of software for OS X that phones home.
You might want to consider using Little Snitch to identify whether there's any software phoning home.
There are some choices for popup ad blocking in Panther Safari: SafariBlock - modeled on AdBlock for Firefox - and PithHelmet are two good solutions.
As always, YourMileageMayVary.
-Wayne

PROTECT YOUR TABLETS AND PHONES!

Being the neighborhood geek and fixing everyone's problems, I run into this problem constantly: people think that since android phones are unix-based (or off topic: they think their Apple products are safe from spyware and viruses), that they don't get antivirus/anti-spyware for these devices.
This is critical especially if you do your banking, or other sensitive stuff on your tablet or phone. Both the Android Play Store and the ITunes store have free programs that are sufficient for a general level of protection for these devices.
Please be sure to pass this on to friends, family and colleagues. I see it every day more and more where phones and tablets are being compromised because they have no adequate protection. If they balk, pose this question: What's more expensive - buying an antivirus program for $30-50, or spend thousands of $$$ hiring an attorney to fix a stolen identity and the ruined credit rating that comes with having it stolen.
Hope this is helpful. Call me paranoid, but seeing these things first-hand, I can't be too careful.
SD
All people have photographic memories - some are just missing the film!

This article will tell you all about the subject:
http://dev.windows.com/en-us/develop/building-universal-windows-apps
If you have any specific issues you can create a new forum post with that question!
Jeff Sanders (MSFT)
@jsandersrocks - Windows Store Developer Solutions
@WSDevSol
Getting Started With Windows Azure Mobile Services development?
Click here
Getting Started With Windows Phone or Store app development?
Click here
My Team Blog: Windows Store & Phone Developer Solutions
My Blog: Http Client Protocol Issues (and other fun stuff I support)

Protect From Import

I'm not savvy to what alchemy the current Flash decompilers
can do out there.
If one selects "Protect From Import" and supplies a unique
Password, can someone else still decompile the code from a
published .swf file?
Second, once a Flash file is published in .exe form, is it
safe from decompiling?
Thanks.

Yes, anyone can decompile the SWF. Dont know about an exe
file.. Have a look at
This if you are very
worried.

Best anti spyware and anti virus for macbook

Anyone know is there is software designed fr Macs to protect against spyware and viruses?

There is, but a lot of it isn't very good for one reason or another, and it's not generally necessary. See my Mac Malware Guide.

My macbook is infected, adware, spyware, and malware. What can i use to clean it?

What software can I use to clean and protect from adware, spyware and malware?

There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:
You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.
What software can I use to clean and protect from adware, spyware and malware?
Avoid all non-Apple products claiming to "clean" or "protect" your Mac. OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
"Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements
If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.
Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iCloud, iTunes, or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
Java can be disabled in System Preferences.
Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
Beware spontaneous popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > check "Block popup windows".
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but unsolicited popups are commonly used to deceive people into installing unwanted software they would never intentionally install.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever receive a popup window indicating that your Mac is infected with some ick or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it. The more insistent it is that you upgrade or install something, the more likely it is to be a scam. Close the window or tab and forget it.
Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. Most of these attempts are pathetic and are easily recognized, but that hasn't stopped prominent public figures from recently succumbing to this age-old scam.
OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.
Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

How can I remove spyware and malware from my mac ?

How can I remove rootkit.spyware and Trojan.malware from my mac ?
Since a few days, some webpages open by themselves and it look like the security of my computer is compromised.
I have a Mac OS X 10.9.5
Thanks for your help !

Remove Browser Pop-up Problems
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How can I protect my data in numbers from unintentional user of my iPad by other family members? In other words, how can I password protect my numbers and other apps from apple computer company?

I have other members of my family use my iPad for educational/recreational use, young children who may want to play kid games. I don't want them to accdently get into my data stored in the three business apps from apple. I would like to password protect these files.
I would also like to log out of the email systems that I use, so some one else can use this device to access their own emails. By leaving my accounts open al the time, is really asking for trouble from a host of sources.
I can't believe that the iPad is not designed to protect the privacy and data from prying eyes ... Un intuitional as it may be.
Please fix this issue so I create my info on this device and enjoy it fully. Or tell me how I can protect my data.
Thnax.

Thanx for your response. Any data stored anywhere should be able to be protected from stealing, malicious destruction or unintentional destruction. Theo ad an be stolen and without any kind ofpassword protection, the thief could get into your sensitive data.
If Apple wants iPad to become a business tool that can be used with ideas, thots, data protected, then Apple needs to provide this protection to it's customers. Now it's unto the users to use it or not.
I know iPad is being considered to be used by doctors, and can u imagine the confidentiality requirements of HIPPA rules... It will make this device not usable without data protection. I am sureweall have heard about hacking going on at all levels. It's surprising that this device's software is left unprotected.
My iPad may be sitting on my desk and my 3 year old grand daughter would pick it up and start "playing" with it. That means I can't store anything on this machine that may possibly be changed.
I have discussed this with specialists in apple stores, and those who have been around info technology understand my concerns and they may forward this request further up. They do not have the answer for it..... So far.
I think data security should be everyone's concern... Be it a one person device or multiple user device.
I hope that some responsible people at Apple would read this and provide the protection that will make this device lot more acceptable in the business world.

After updating on my mac - I cannot open various password protected pages - like my WordPress site. I can open them from Safari and from Firefox on my windows pc.

after updating firefox , it won't allow input of password on various sites - like my wordpress admin page. I can access this page from safari and from firefox on my windows pc.

I cannot open password protected WordPress pages using Firefox. They open using IE
If I remove the password protection the page opens correctly in FF.
I have cleared the FF cache and cookies several times, No change
I have modified the wp-pass.php file several suggested ways related to the referrer and nothing solves the issue.
I tried:
wp_safe_redirect(wp_get_referer());
to
wp_safe_redirect(wp_get_referer() . '?');
NO GOOD
I tried:<br />
<br />
<pre><nowiki>$location = wp_get_referer();
if ( $location == '' )
$location = './';
wp_redirect($location, $status = 302);
</nowiki></pre>
NO GOOD
I have upgraded WordPress to 3.3.1. Still NO GOOD
I have deactivated, and also removed all plug-ins. Still NO GOOD.
Anyone have any ideas?
Why just an FF issue?
IE no problems

Is there a way to place an encrypted document on the iPhone, a document that contains passwords and private information, really well protected from hackers?

Is there a way to place an encrypted document on the iPhone, a document that contains passwords and private information, really well protected from hackers?
Can such a document be exempted from the cloud feature, a feature that I use for the rest of my stuff?
If so, how can I do this?

Yeah, but 1Password charges for both the iPhone client AND the Mac/Windows client, and it ain't cheap! Plus, it only syncs via Dropbox, and where I work Dropbox is banned due to security concerns.
Sure, there is Secure Notes, a free form entry part of 1Password, but a bug in the program will not let you view all the text you can put in the field!! You have to EDIT the text to see the whole list! What if you accidentally delete or change an entry while scrolling through your entries??
Plus NONE of the programs I have tried, and I have tried a lot, can find text IN the file - do a search and it will tell you what file/folder the text is in, but YOU have to scroll down through 400 entries one at a time looking for the entry.
I use a program called Secure Text - I have many admin passwords, and DO not need a field based program. Secure Text is totally freeform entry. However, it suffers from the same search issue.
If someone knows of a secure text program that uses a file/folder type of layout, free form entry, AND can actually tell you where in the file/folder the text you searched for is, PLEASE let me know! Plus sycing via some method other than Dropbox would be a plus.
Before I got my iPhone, I used a program called Tombo for my WinCE based system AND my Windows workstation, and the synced up fine without iTunes, internet, DropBox type functionality or any of that horsecoller stuff Apple likes to throw on your neck.

Protect from Spyware and Adware

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