TS1398 Do I need anti-viral software for my iPad?

How do I know my iPads are not compromised by viruses? Do I need protection, as I do for my PC.? If not, why not?

Unless they've been jailbroken, they're secure; everything that can legitimately be installed on them is screened by Apple and then posted to the iTunes App Store.
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  • Do I need internet/antivirus software for my iPad?

    Do I need internet/antivirus software for my iPad?

    i have an ipad 2 and happily email my friends daily. i hve however recently recieved two emails from friends who say i have a virus... their computer (pc) reacted to emails (with my email address but not sent by me) by saying they were a threat. whats happening? should i change my email password &/or wipe my ipad to factory setting?
    help please.

  • 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

  • Do I need anti-virus software for my Mac Book Pro (purchased in Sept, 2011)?

    McAfee's website ...
    http://home.mcafee.com/Store/PackageDetail.aspx?pkgid=358&culture=en-us&affid=79 2&eid=covmcaggl89400000070427s&adid=8370783383&
    ... says I need anti-virus protection for my Mac (of course they'd like to sell it to me). Been a Windows man since Gates was just getting started. FINALLY switched over a few months ago. McAfee makes good points about getting this protection so I thought I'd sign in here and ask you guys (the experts:-)) what YOU think?? If I do need it, please recommend. I always heard that you don't need anti-virus protection for a Mac and was hoping that would be the case but I must admit it ... that sounds a little bit far-fetched/unreasonable. I don't mind doing it if it will add extra security and isn't too annoying as it has ALWAYS been on my Windows PCs through the years. Thanks, Dan

    No. You don't need AV software.
    What does McAfee sell? AV software so of course they are going to attempt to sell it to you. Their only interest is getting your money and nothing more then that. That web site is a total crock.
    Allan

  • Do we need anti virus softwares for Mac book pro?

    do we need antivirus softwares for mac book pro?

    That is a complex question, whose answer depends greatly on you. See my Mac Malware Guide for the information you need to protect yourself and to make a decision about anti-virus software.

  • Will I need anti virus software for boot camp?

    Hi everyone,
    i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk. Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp? My main use for xp is for some unavailable software and pc games.
    And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?
    thanks guys

    "...i'm looking at installing leopard and xp onto an external portable hard disk...."
    Why both? For instance, I have XP on my MacBook and I also have an old hard drive with XP (from another computer) in a portable case with USB. I can plug that thing into my MacBook and it is merely seen as an external storage drive. (I've never tried to boot from it though...)
    "...Will i need to install all the rubbish windows xp anti virus software if i'm not going to run / connect to the internet while using xp?..."
    Obviously viruses etc come from outside places, so either they come from the 'net or else from email or disks or storage sticks. If someone knowingly or unknowingly planted malware on them then your not safe. Macs are immune (99.9%) and of course Windows is wide open for trouble. If you stay off the 'net that is 90% of the battle. The rest is whether or not YOU place on your system a file or disk or jump drive which has "been places".
    "...And if i don't install the anti virus software would potential viruses affect only my external hard drive with the xp partition or both my internal drive and external drive?..."
    With BootCamp you only need a hard firewall (a router, wireless or wire) and free AVG antivirus to protect your Windows side. (Unless you are doing serious file swapping and surfing scary websites - then you need to purchase top notch AV like Symantec) but that is only a problem for your Windows installation.
    Your Mac side will always (99.9%) be safe from your Windows problems.
    That is the great thing about BootCamp. Your Windows side could be totally infected and destroyed and you can still boot to OS X no problem and perform a fresh install of Windows. Windows needs protection - OS X just doesn't (unless the FBI, Interpol, and MI5 are after you - if someone WANTS to trash OS X they can. It appears no one ever wants to though...)
    I'm saying that if you intend to have external BootCamp SIMPLY to be safe (instead of just right on your Mac's internal hard drive) from viruses, it is not necessary. If you have Windows on your internal drive and only boot to it while offline it is the same safety level - totally safe. If you have the hard firewall and free AVG you are seriously safe as it is. And your Apple side is always safe no matter what.
    Just my opinion / experience. Others can chime in with their views / experiences - I'd like to hear them...
    Cheers

  • HT2470 do we need anti virus software for macpro?

    i am gonna buy macpro? do i need to buy anti virus software or it is built in?

    See my Mac Malware Guide.
    Long story short, there is some Mac malware out there, but it's fairly easily avoided if you take some basic precautions.

  • Do I need internet security software for my iPad?

    Is anti-virus or internet security software needed for my iPad?

    There isn't any.  That would break the security model used by Apple.  Apps cannot
    -- modify os.
    -- modify other apps
    -- look at other apps data with the exception of pictures.
    You can change your dns address so as to pick a fast and secure dns site.  I pick google: 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4
    Apple provides for these things.

  • Do you need anti virus software for mac book pro

    Is it true that the new mac book pro computers are now more susceptable to virus attacks and malware then the Mac books made  5 years ago.
    If this is true what is being recommended to protect your mac book pro?
    thank you

    OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any security application. Don't use any commercial antivirus. If you want more information about OS X and malware, see > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
    If you want an antivirus, use ClamXav or Sophos, but as I said, you don't need these applications.
    Now, there are some viruses for OS X. However, they are not serious, so you just need to keep your Mac updated, because the most recent Mac OS X versions include important security improvements

  • Is there anti-spam software for Ipad2?

    I have anti-spam software on my laptop and desk top.  But, seemingly, there is no anti-spam software for my iPad and/or iPhone.
    Or is there?

    You don't need such software, thus none is available.

  • Do Apple products need anti virus software?

    Comcast says I need anti virus software for my email account.  Do I?

    Just for full disclosure, there are a handful of malware pieces out there. Also, "virus" is not the correction common definition. A virus is a particular type of unwanted, or damaging software. The more recent all encompassing term is malware, which is short for "malicious software".
    1. Viruses - Zero. Not a single virus of any kind has been found in the wild that affects the Mac OS.
    2. Worms - One long dead worm that reportedly infected less than 100 computers.
    3. Trojans - These are the most common (and there aren't a lot of them). They attempt to trick you installing them by pretending to be something else. They can't self replicate like a virus. Each infection requires the user's help to get it installed.
    4. Java attacks - These were the most recent. It was the first attack to successfully infect the Mac OS simply by visiting an infected web site. No user interaction was necessary. The easy fix was to turn Java off in your web browser. Leave JavaScript on. Despite the similar name, they have nothing to do with each other.
    Java, and the Mac OS have since been updated against these attacks, and the writers of these attacks apparently haven't been able to find a way around these patches. There have been no such attacks for over a year.
    Basically, the Mac needs no help. Those who do run AV software, or are required to (business office, school systems, etc.) are there to help catch the myriad of Windows malware that gets passed around. For the Mac in such situations, you're really just catching Windows malware that comes to you in the form of an email attachment so you don't unknowingly forward them to Windows users.

  • Anti Virus Software for New iBook - Any Need for it

    Hi,
    Is there any real need to buy any Anti Virus software for a new iBook running Tiger.
    If so what would be the best software to Buy.

    Hello Simon,
    As has been stated there are NO viruses for Mac OS X. None!
    Some will say that NO form of protection is required. Some will say that there is a good case for having at least some protection.
    There is an interesting article here
    No need to spend any money now!
    Regards
    Ian

  • Do I need a security/anti-viral software?

    I am new to MAC and just get hit with the MacDefender. I removed it, but it makes me wonder about more anti-viral software.
    Thanks
    countrydeb

    Your welcome, you should be good to go!
    Enjoy the new Mac. If you haven't been exposed to these sites I'd recommend bookmarking them and referring to them often.
    Switch 101
    Mac 101
    Find Out How Video tutorials

  • Is there an anti-viral software and spyware that is recommended??

    Is there anti-viral software and spyware that is preferred for the I-MAC and MAC book Pro??  I don't want to slow my system like one's I've used for PC's in the past.

    VIRUSES
    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 for Tiger from:
    http://www.clamxav.com/download.php#tiger
    and for Leopard, Snow Leopard and Lion from here:
    http://www.clamxav.com/
    Note: If you wish to uninstall ClamXav: keep a copy of the disk image from when you downloaded it, or download it again - the uninstaller is included with the application. To uninstall, quit ClamXav Sentry (if you use it) and make sure it's not set to launch at log in. The uninstaller will remove the engine and any schedules you've got set up, then just drag ClamXav.app to the trash.
    If you are already using ClamXav: please ensure that you have installed all recent  Apple Security Updates  and that your version of ClamXav is the latest available.
    Do not install Norton Anti-Virus on a Mac as it can seriously damage your operating system. Norton Anti-Virus is not compatible with Apple OS X.
    FAKE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE and associated MALWARE
    Do not be tricked by 'scareware' that tempts computer users to download fake anti-virus software that may itself be malware.
    Fake anti-virus software that infect PCs with malicious code are a growing threat, according to a study by Google. Its analysis of 240m web pages over 13 months showed that fake anti-virus programs accounted for 15% of all malicious software.
    Scammers trick people into downloading programs by convincing them that their PC is infected with a virus.
    Once installed, the software may steal data or force people to make a payment to register the fake product.
    Beware of PDF files from unknown sources. A security firm announced that by its counting, malicious Reader documents made up 80% of all exploits at the end of 2009.:
    http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9157438/in which Rogue_PDFs_account_for_80_of_all_exploits_says_researcher
    TROJANS and RE-DIRECTION TO FAKE WEBSITES
    The appearance of Trojans and other malware that can possibly 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.
    You can read more about how, for example, the OSX/DNSChanger Trojan works (by falsely suggesting extra codecs are required for Quicktime) here:
    http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan_osx_dnschanger.shtml
    SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X.  It's available here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/
    First update the MacScan malware definitions before scanning. You can also contact their support team for any additional support - [email protected]
    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 free trial the cost is $29.99. The full version permits you to scan selected files and folders only, as well as the entire hard disk. It will detect (and delete if you ask it to) all 'tracker cookies' that switch you to web sites you did not want to go to.)
    A white paper was published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
    http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?main_page=document_ general_info&cPath=11&products_id=174
    Also, beware of MacSweeper and MacDefender (also goes under the name of MacProtector, MacGaurd, MacSecurity or MacShield) :
    These are malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer in an attempt to obtain payment.
    Mackeeper is equally worthless and should also be avoided. Again, the developer seeks to obtain payment for an application that does nothing that free utilities do not also offer, and in many cases it will also mess up your system.
    You can keep up to date, particularly about malware present in some downloadable pirated software, at the Securemac site:
    http://www.securemac.com/
    HOW TO AVOID RE-DIRECTION
    Adding Open DNS codes to your Network Preferences, should give good results in terms of added security as well as speed-up:
    Open System Preferences/Network. Double click on your connection type, or select it in the drop-down menu, and in the box marked 'DNS Servers' add the following two numbers:
    208.67.222.222
    208.67.220.220
    (You can also enter them if you click on Advanced and then DNS)
    Sometimes reversing the order of the DNS numbers can be beneficial in cases where there is a long delay before web pages start to load, and then suddenly load at normal speed:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2296
    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!
    WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR MAC HAS BECOME 'INFECTED'
    If you think you may have acquired a Trojan, and you know its name, you can also locate it via the Terminal:
    http://theappleblog.com/2009/04/24/mac-botnet-how-to-ensure-you-are-not-part-of- the-problem/
    Although any content that you download has the possibility of containing malicious software, practising a bit of care will generally keep you free from the consequences of anything like the DNSChanger trojan.
    1. Avoid going to suspect and untrusted Web sites, especially p'orn'ography sites.
    2. Check out what you are downloading. Mac OS X asks you for you administrator password to install applications for a reason! Only download media and applications from well-known and trusted Web sites. If you think you may have downloaded suspicious files, read the installer packages and make sure they are legit. If you cannot determine if the program you downloaded is infected, do a quick Internet search and see if any other users reported issues after installing a particular program.
    3. Use an antivirus program like ClamXav. If you are in the habit of downloading a lot of media and other files, it may be well worth your while to run those files through this AV application.
    4. Use Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.
    5.  Peer-to-peer sharing applications and download torrents (such as the now defunct LimeWire) supplying pirated software, movies etc are hotbeds of potential software issues waiting to happen to your Mac. Everything from changing permissions to downloading trojans and other malicious software can be acquired from using these applications. Similar risks apply to using Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and similar sites which are prone to malicious hacking:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8420233.stm
    6. Resist the temptation to download pirated software. They can contain Botnet Trojans.  SecureMac offer a simple and free tool for the removal of the iBotNet Trojan available here:
    http://macscan.securemac.com/files/iServicesTrojanRemovalTool.dmg
    YOUR PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET and the latest risks to look out for:
    There is the potential for having your entire email contact list stolen for use for spamming:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/technology/internet/20shortcuts.html?_r=1
    And if you are using iPhone Apps you are also at risk of losing all privacy:
    http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/03/hacker-claims-third-party-iphone-apps-can-tra nsmit-udid-pose-se/
    The advent of HTML5  may also be a future threat to internet privacy:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/business/media/11privacy.html?_r=1&hp
    Security of OS X generally:
    http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is/security.html
    http://www.nsa.gov/ia/_files/os/applemac/I731-007R-2007.pdf
    Security Configuration for Version 10.5 Leopard:
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Leopard_Security_Config_2nd_Ed.pdf
    NOTE: Apple's Snow Leopard and Lion operating systems silently update the malware protection built into Mac OS X to protect against a backdoor Trojan horse that can allow hackers to gain remote control over your treasured iMac or MacBook: Macs running Snow Leopard or Lion now check for new malware definitions daily, allowing Apple to quickly deploy protection from threats before they have a chance to spread.
    Few malicious titles actually exist for Mac OS X, and those that do rely almost entirely upon duping users to install software that pretends to be legitimate.
    http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2010/06/18/apple-secretly-updates
    However, if you are running Lion Server:
    Apple's new server operating system -- OS X Lion -- is so inherently insecure that Stamos recommends keeping it off the network altogether and using Macs only as standalone machines connected to IP or Windows networks, not those designed for Macs.
    The Mac Server's networking protocols -- especially DHX User Authentication -- are designed for ease of use, not security. It is trivial, Stamos said, for hackers to set up a Mac user to download a file that will overflow the buffer protecting the heap segment of the server's memory, allowing the file's malicious payload to run uncontrolled in the server's memory and give itself whatever access rights it wants.
    http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/index.cfm?newsid=3301796&olo=email

  • Anti viral software recommendation

    anti viral software recommendation

    If you REALLY want anti virus, which you REALLY do not need. I would recommend AVG. It's free from CNET www.download.net . Like rk said you do not need it but Macs are beginning to become targets of Mal-Ware. Apple has released an update that keeps your Mac protected against Mal-Ware. Keep your Mac up to date and you should not have any issues. But, if you really feel like you need it go for the AVG. Stay away from Norton!!

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