Removing virus program

I bought an imac yesterday and migrated my wife's old ibook to the new machine. It brought over her Norton AntiVirus program. Now, people tell me that I don't need that program on a MAC (I'm a reformed Dell guy) and it didn't migrate properly anyway. It errors out when the computer boots up and can't perform its live-update correctly. Should I just remove it from the new mac and how do I do that? (On my old dell, I would go to the control panel and choose REMOVE PROGRAMS and just follow the prompts) Also, does the new mac protect against virsus automatically or do I need a program like Norton. Thank you.

Hello Steve and welcome to the forums as well as Macintosh in general.
Norton/Symantec anything isn't looked too highly around here because of numerous problems with their software and scare mongering in the press to generate sales.
Anti-virus may have some purpose on a Mac, to clean Windows files before passing them on to other Windows users. But so far we have been virus free and exploits in programs running as "root" aka "superuser" requiring a admin password to install have caused more trouble than the mythical viruses it's supposed to defend us from (Norton AV "rar" file exploit). Since Windows viruses don't affect Mac OS X, we might get them but they don't have any effect. However a few Excel Macro viruses could cause headaches, I personally don't run any Microsoft code on my machine and have been very happy.
Apple's Migration Assistant isn't nearly a seamless solution as they wish it could be, most likely because some programs install using admin password deep in Mac OS X itself (Norton AV), instead of just staying put in the Applications folder. Some applications don't follow Apple rules, some have copy protection schemes etc.
My suggestion is to backup any files, insert the installer disk #1 and hold c /reboot the machine. You'll boot from the disk. From the installer menu there is a selection called Disk Utility. Select the hard drive and Erase w/Zero option. This will completely wipe the drive and create a new bad sector map on the drive, insuring better writes and less data corruption. It takes a bit longer but worth it.
Once that's completed, quit and your back in the installer which you want to install Tiger, Developers Tools (can delete later, nifty stuff) the "Extras" and iLife 06' that came with the machine.
Once you've gone through the setup and network info, use Software Update from the Apple menu, next look in your Applications/Utilities folder for Disk Utility and Repair Permissions.
Now you should be up, set up the machine and install Applications from original sources/installers if all possible (avoid Norton/root installers if possible). Most applications in Mac OS X consist of a icon in Applications folder which is actually a hidden "package" with everything the app needs inside. So copying this over is a breeze. Just drag and drop (see the little green plus sign)
There are a few Mac OS X applications that require running a installer to un-install the software. Likely copy protected programs or ones that do special installs outside the Applications folder.
If you hook up a 6 pin Firewire 400 cable to each Mac, boot the slave machine while holding "t" the drive will appear on the desktop of the other Mac. Makes it very easy to copy files and apps via drag and drop methods.
Now as you might know Apple is transitioning to Intel based processors, your new iMac is a "MacTel" as the old iBook is a G4 PPC based processor.
So applications based on PPC may run a bit slower on the iMacTel as a emulation software called "Rosetta" is being used. Some might not run well at all especially something that alters Mac OS X itself via a admin level "root" install.
A lot of applications are becoming "Universal Binaries" which will run well on either processor family. So be sure when buying software to check for the Universal icon etc.
I highly suggest getting a external drive and "cloning" (aka "ghosting") the boot drive once you got it peachy, on a Winblows box it's absolutely essential, on a Mac it can be avoided, but it's better if you do just in case. All you have to do is connect it and hold option for boot from it, or set it as a Startup Disk in Apple>System Preferences.
One can learn how to clone their boot drive over at Carbon Copy Cloner forums.
I wish I could help you more to enjoy your Mac, but I'm writing a book here.
I suggest you get a book like Mac OS X Tiger "The Missing Manual" to help you understand your new operating system. The more you use it the better your going to like it.
Feel free to come here and ask all the questions you need, Mac users enjoy helping each other out.
Here are some links copy them.
http://appleintelfaq.com/
http://mac.zicos.com/
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/
http://www.barefeats.com/

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How can I remove viruses off my computer? I have mac OS X, but I clicked on a website on google and it didn't open. Instead the security program popped up and said that my computer is at risk of a crash and has detected several viruses!?!?! AAAAHHH!?!?!

How can I remove viruses off my computer? I have mac OS X, but I clicked on a website on google and it didn't open. Instead the security program popped up and said that my computer is at risk of a crash and has detected several viruses!?!?! AAAAHHH!?!?!

MnM
It's probably the MacDefender scareware trojan horse. If you have this here is how to remove it.
1. Open Activity Monitor look for MacDefender process double click on it and hit quit or force quit.
2. Go to System Preferences, Go to accounts, Go to login items look for anything related to MacDefender hightlight it by clcking on it once. Then hit the minus sign to remove it.
3. Go to applications folder and drag MacDefender to the trash.
4. Open finder and do a search for Macdefender and remove anything you see related to MacDefender.
5. Open Spotlight (the little magnyfing glass in the menubar far right corner) and do a search for MacDefender.
6. Restart your computer and empty trash.
7. If you feel you need to have virus protection for your Mac use ClamXav. It's the recommended AV program for MacOSX. Hope this helps.
Joseph

VIRUS in my Mac BOOK .. When I bought my mac book 6 months ago, everything was perfect.. but then when I open some webpage..it comes a lot of ads or pages unsafe .. that before it didn't appear.. I don't know if have to download a anti virus program.HELP

VIRUS in my Mac BOOK .. When I bought my mac book 6 months ago, everything was perfect.. but then when I open some webpage..it comes a lot of ads or pages unsafe .. that before it didn't appear.. I don't know if have to download a anti virus program.HELP

Not a virus, but it is malware: The Safe Mac » Search Results » adware removal.
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 Thomas Reed recommends using Dr.Web Light from the App Store. It's free, and since it's from the App Store, it won't destabilize the system. If you prefer one of the better known commercial products, then Thomas recommends using Sophos.(Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.) If you already use Sophos, then be aware of this if you are using Mavericks: OS X Mavericks- Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner versions 8.0 - 9.1 may cause unexpected restarts
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.

HT4650 what's the best free virus program for Mac?

What's the best free virus program for the Mac?Not just for viruses, but removing all the duplicate folders and tuning up my mac.
I'm not exactly sure what all the Activity Monitor stuff is, but I know when my
Mac is sluggish and slow. Any ideas? (No, MacDefender is not a possibility)

See Here > Antivirus Discussion
And Here for keeping your Mac happy...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1147
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/maintainingmacosx.html
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/performance.html

What's Best Anti-Virus Program for a Mac?

I know that most people think that Macs don't get viruses, but I'm a computer teacher in a public school and we recently got the W97M virus. It's in the Microsoft Word program, and although it may not hurt specifically our iMacs, it has caused other problems. We get frequent error messages and also the spinning ball, the latter of which could be caused by a number of reasons. Another teacher used her flash drive from school on her home computer, and the computer died. It was a PC, but she's not sure if it's from the virus or not.
Anyway, I depend on flash drives a lot to transfer documents I create at school to my home computer and vise-versa. Ever since I heard about this virus, and we've gotten other viruses too, I haven't used my flash drives on my home computer. I have a G5 with the 10.3.9 operating system that eventually I'd like to upgrade. The only two anti-virus programs I've seen the names of are iAntiVirus and ClamXAV. I thought that I had read a while ago that ClamXAV detects the virus but doesn't remove it. (or it may have been another anti-virus program) I would like one that not only detects it but also removes it, whether the program is a free one or one you have to buy. Also, I need one that is okay with my present operating system (OSX 10.3.9) and also will work with whatever the newest OSX system exists when I upgrade.
Thank you for your help.

The developer of ClamXav created a front-end (the GUI interface) for an open source back-end that actually does the real work. There are apparently ClamAV applications for other platforms.
So it seems like the developer is saying that the 1.1.1 version of ClamXav for Panther is the current front-end version, but the back-end "engine" is a slightly older version. The back-end for the Tiger and later version no longer works with Panther. But that should be OK, because the program downloads updated definition files as new malware is identified. Since the developer can no longer support creating a version for Panther, this version is the last one.
Also, ClamXav is a scanning program. It does not take any action to remove malware (as far as I know). It just tells you about what if finds, and it's up to you to remove or replace the compromised file. I my case, the only things it finds are malware embedded in spam/junk emails, so I just need to find and delete those emails.
Note: I had not used ClamXav in a long time, and the 1.1.1 version does not work in Snow Leopard. But there is a beta 2.0 version that does work with Snow Leopard.

Which anti-virus program do you recommend?

My school requires that I install an anti-virus on my iBook G4. Which anti-virus program works better with Mac?

Look at these links.
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?
http://db.tidbits.com/article/9511
Reviews of Antivirus products for Apple Mac OS X
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/macav/Reviewsof_Antivirus_products_for_Apple_Mac_OSX.htm
Antivirus software is not really necessary on a Mac, however if you receive many emails and forward them to PC users it may help them. I don't use any AV SW on my Macs. If you want to use one to detect a virus on emails, get the freeware antivirus application for Macs - ClamXav @ http://www.clamxav.com/ .
SecureMac has a lot of info about Mac security. SecureMac has provided several freeware Trojan removal tools. Download them here:
iServices Trojan Removal Tool (OS 10.4 or later) Download at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/30265/iservices-trojan-removal-tool
DNSChanger Removal Tool (OS 10.3 or later) Download at http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/26652/dnschanger-removal-tool
 Cheers, Tom

McAfee ANTI VIRUS PROGRAM THROUGH VERIZON

Hello Everyone! I have been with Verizon since "the beginning of time". I signed up for the Broadband Essentials as soon as they were offered. I have been experiencing technical difficulties for some time now. I took my computer to Best Buy to have it professionally scanned because I discovered that I had a malware that had attached to my computer-via on line banking. I discovered via my scan by Best Buy representative that I have viruses, malware and so forth. Now what a surprise after all I thought that Verizon had my back. Such a headache. I am don't another scan to see if McAfee finds it my money is not on McAfee.
I tried to get a hold of Verizon representative regarding this matter and it is my understanding that you have to go to your account to take care of these matters. You can not get a representative to take over your computer to fix. And McAfee charges to remove virus, This seems side ways to me because I pay each month for virus and malware to so forth in my Broad band essential packages and after the program allows these in I pay to get them removed? Any thoughts? Stressed out. Barb

I am sorry to hear about the computer troubles you are having. I have sent you a private message to get more information from you.
Anthony_VZ
**If someones post has helped you, please acknowledge their assistance by clicking the red thumbs up button to give them Kudos. If you are the original poster and any response gave you your answer, please mark the post that had the answer as the solution**
Notice: Content posted by Verizon employees is meant to be informational and does not supersede or change the Verizon Forums User Guidelines or Terms or Service, or your Customer Agreement Terms and Conditions or plan

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You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
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* [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware]
* [http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363 TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility]
* [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro]
* [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner]
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Removing virus program

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