Reccommended Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware application?

Hello,
I've recently come across some suspicious looking files on my iMac, and I think it may be time to invest in some anti-virus software to give me peace of mind.
For my Windows computer, I have an application for anti-virus, and then a separate program that protects me from spyware, adware, etc. Is there an application for Mac OS that has both of these features?

Read the following:
Do You Need Anti-Virus Protection for Your Mac?
According to Rich Mogull's article, Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?,
"The reality is that today the Mac platform is relatively safe. There are hundreds of thousands of viruses and other malicious software programs floating around for Windows, but less than 200 are known to target the Mac, and many of those are aimed at versions of the Mac OS prior to Mac OS X (and thus have no effect on a modern Mac).
It's not that Mac OS X is inherently more secure against viruses than current versions of Windows (although it was clearly more secure than Windows prior to XP SP2); the numerous vulnerabilities reported and patched in recent years are just as exploitable as their Windows equivalents. But most security experts agree that malicious software these days is driven by financial incentives, and it's far more profitable to target the most dominant platform."
Mr. Mogull is a computer security expert. I recommend reading the entire article as it is quite informative.
For additional information on viruses, trojans, and spyware visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on viruses and spyware.

Similar Messages

  • Do I need anti virus, ad- + spyware?

    Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong forum. New here, and don't have a clue.
    Just got my first Mac. Loving it, but needs some getting used to.
    Anyway, the Apple sales guy told us that we would not be (ever) needing any anti virus, ad- + spyware.
    I had all those on my Windows PC and am therefore worried that I will 'catch' something nasty if I don't have it on my Mac. Some other Mac users told me to really not bother, others say that I should use protection (hehe) as they've had problems with virus, etc.
    Could any of you give me some advice on what to do? And why?

    Yes, I have used ClamXav for about 18 months to scan all incoming emails, and also at startup other locations.
    Works a treat!
    No viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions.
    It is possible, however, to pass on a Windows virus to another Windows user, for example through an email attachment. To prevent this all you need is the free anti-virus utility ClamXav, which you can download from:
    http://www.clamxav.com/
    However, the appearance of Trojans that can infect a Mac seems to be growing, but is a completely different issue to viruses.
    If you allow a Trojan to be installed, the user's DNS records can be modified, redirecting incoming internet traffic through the attacker's servers, where it can be hijacked and injected with malicious websites and pornographic advertisements. The trojan also installs a watchdog process that ensures the victim's (that's you!) DNS records stay modified on a minute-by-minute basis.
    SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X. It's available here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/
    The DNSChanger Removal Tool detects and removes spyware targeting Mac OS X and allows users to check to see if the trojan has been installed on their computer; if it has, the software helps to identify and remove the offending file. After a system reboot, the users' DNS records will be repaired.
    (Note that a 30 day trial version of MacScan can be downloaded free of charge from:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
    and this can perform a complete scan of your entire hard disk. After 30 days the cost is $29.99. The full version permits you to scan selected files and folders only, as well as the entire hard disk.)
    A white paper has recently been published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
    http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&cPath=11&productsid=174
    Also, beware of MacSweeper:
    MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer. It is the first known "rogue" application for the Mac OS X operating system. The software was discovered by F-Secure, a Finland based computer security software company on January 17, 2008
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacSweeper
    On June 23, 2008 this news reached Mac users:
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/23/mac_trojan/
    More information on Mac security can be found here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/
    The MacScan application can be downloaded from here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
    You can download a 30 day trail copy which enables you to do a full scan of your hard disk. After that it costs $29.95.
    More on Trojans on the Mac here:
    http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63574.html?welcome=1214487119
    The latest news on the subject, from July 25, 2008, is:
    Attack code that exploits flaws in the net's addressing system are starting to circulate online, say security experts.
    The code could be a boon to phishing gangs who redirect web users to fake bank sites and steal login details.
    In light of the news net firms are being urged to apply a fix for the loop-hole before attacks by hi-tech criminals become widespread.
    Net security groups say there is anecdotal evidence that small scale attacks are already happening.
    Further details here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7525206.stm
    There may be other ways of guarding against Trojans, viruses and general malware affecting the Mac, and alternatives will probably appear in the future. In the meantime the advice is: be careful where you go on the web and what you download!

  • Internet Security, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware and Anti-Malware

    What is the best internet security, anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software to use on a MacBook Pro 13' (Late 2011 model) on both Mac and Windows 7 (Parallel 7) without slowing down or effecting the operating system too much ? Do I need to get the free or paid version ?

    Although anti-virus software is not necessary on a Mac, you do need to be aware of what's out there and how to protect yourself against possible new threats. See my Mac Malware Guide.
    As for running anti-virus in Windows 7, that's a Windows issue. I personally put AVG Free on the Windows machines used by my family, but I'm no Windows expert. I'm sure different folks here will have different recommendations, and a few of those folks may even be Windows experts! (In other words, that may be a question better suited for other forums where a higher percentage of Windows users hang out.)

  • Is it true that Macs do not need anti-virus or spyware?

    I know nothing about computers. This is our first Mac. We purchased our mac mini in Oct. 09. My nephew set it up & told us we didn't need a anti-virus or spyware. I just use the e-mail & my daughter uses it for school & face book. It has been slow and has been locking up on us. Last night I had to force close. I took a look in security and it said the firewall was not on. Is this a problem? Should it be on?

    Welcome to the Apple discussions.
    It's irrelevant that there are no current mac virus's, as, like the stock market, current performance isn't a gauge of the future. In addition, use of an antivirus is good if you receive files that you might forward on to your Windows friends, and want to ensure you're not passing on any virus's. I use, and recommend, ClamXAV, also recommended above. It's available from http://www.clamxav.com . I use it to scan mail and downloads.
    You do want your mac firewall turned on. Click systems preferences, security, click the firewall tab, click allow only essential connections (if not already highlighted), click advanced, and enable firewall logging and enable stealth mode. If your daughter uses iTunes to download music, you don't need to do anything else. If she uses Bittorrent, then you should open some ports. Watching video's won't be impacted with the firewall enabled.
    I've also installed a program named Little Snitch, which requires me to specifically allow any outbound communication. Once authorized, you don't have to do anything again. So, if something were to sneak through, it wouldn't be able to phone home without authorization. Little Snitch is available from http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html
    On your overall performance, one thing you might do is to run OnyX, available from http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english/apps.html . Run the tasks on the maintenance and cleaning tabs, which does disk maintenance. Before running any disk maintenance, you should have a hard drive backup. A number of people have used this and found it improved performance.

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    I was told using free public wifi allows others to have access to the devices using the wifi... Is this not true?
    Not quite true, no. It's not true that using public wifi gives people access to the device. What it does is allow people on that network to snoop on any unencrypted network traffic. So, if your phone is transmitting a clear-text password for the account that got hacked, that could be captured by someone else on the wifi network who has the right software on their computer.
    That said, though, the chances of that happening in most places is not high. Perhaps if you were on a very large open network, like in an airport, or if you were in a country that doesn't have particularly stringent laws against hacking (like Russia), then it might be more likely, but otherwise it's far more likely that someone simply hacked your account remotely. Probably the password was not as secure as it should have been and it got cracked by brute force.

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  • One more time -- anti-virus or spyware needed?

    I am sure this topic has been covered before, but over the holidays my "windows relatives" were giving me a hard time about not having anti virus sw on my computer. The argument is that OS X is unix based and therefore vulnerable. I have never had any problems. I am not really afraid of viruses, but the spyware argument caught my attention.
    Thoughts?
    Recommendations?
    Thanks

    Antivirus - at the moment there aren't any for osx. The main reason to have antivirus is to help stop windows users getting them when they pass them through you.do a google search and pass the articles on to your windows friends. Also, another massive windows vulnerability was reported yesterday so you might want to warn them
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    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/malspyware.html
    osx spyware almost non existent in march.
    http://news.com.com/GartnerBeware+of+Mac+OSspyware/2100-7355_3-5645465.html
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    Oh there is a quite good open source app called clam xav which is a free virus scanner for os x - you might look it up.

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    I recently switched to a macbook pro from a pc, and am curious what type of (if any) virus protection or spyware protection to use for it.  I keep getting a message to Install MacKeeper 2012; but am not sure if it's worth paying for or not.  I'd like some advice on what would be the best protection for my computer.  Also, I recently had the new microsoft office installed; which has been having issues freezing up quite often when I use it.  I don't know if clenaing my mac would help with the Microsoft office stuff, or not (or even if that would be related)...also each time I restart my computer; all windows applications open (word, power point, excel & outlook).   obviously I'm not very tech savvy to begin with so any advice would help!  I'm hoping this computer will last me thru the next 4 years of grad school & just want to make sure this computer is well taken care of to last that long.  Thanks!

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    You don't need an antivirus, but don't install Mackeeper if you don't want a damaged Mac OS > https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3036 See > http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg/

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    I was told using free public wifi allows others to have access to the devices using the wifi... Is this not true?
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