Virus protection for MacBook Pro

Forum,
When I was using FCE there where many posts about using virus protection applications,such as Norton causing problems with video editing.
My MBC does not have a virus protection application but there seems to be an increasing threat to Apple computers as their market share becomes larger.
Will FCP suffer problems if a virus protection application is installed?
Thank you
Michael Craven.

Jim is correct, of course. But some computers have to live a double life. Under those circumstances, one can use Norton or other applications that are intended to detect malware, including viruses, but in a specific mode. These applications can be turned off for detection on the fly. The user can resort to manually initiated scans on a scheduled basis. Not the best of worlds but perhaps a stop gap measure if one is concerned. You could also consider using a router or access point between you and your computer. These devices are not assured protection, but make things a but harder for the malware to get to your system. Macs can be easily disconnected from any net work and reconnected after editing, of course.

Similar Messages

Do i need additional virus protection for macbook pro

I have a MacBook Pro - GH2 Intel with 4 GB of memory. Upon login I have a blank screen except for 2 silhouettes. One silhouette is my name, the other silhouette is "guest user" When I put in my password which is necessary each time, I then get a screen "Do you want the application "open exec" to accept incoming network connections?" (I press "allow") and next screen is "Do you want the application "openinfo" to accept incoing network connections? (I press "allow"). Next screen is SKYPE and each time I need to manually go in and "quit" Skype.
Prior to this happening, I was getting the whirly bird all of the time and everything extremely slow. I have an appointment at genius bar in 5 days but am concerned about a virus,etc.
How can I protect myself so I can do banking, etc., prior to genius bar appointment? Should I purchase one of Apples anit virus programs from the app store?
Thank you!!!!

Could be malware/adware.
Try:
Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac
Next
Adwaremedic: Removes all known adware from your Mac
If you can't download it since the malware is preventing it then see:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7792

Question RE: Security/Virus Program for Macbook Pro

Greetings,
I was wondering if you would recommend Avast 2014 Antivirus Software protection for the macbook pro. If not, is there any other programs and/or other applications I should know about or use to help with viruses and security? I was also considering Norton.
Thank you in advance for any help and/or any advice.
Christian

Hi Christian,
I was wondering if you would recommend Avast 2014 Antivirus Software protection for the macbook pro.
Absolutely not. Older versions of Avast were garbage that would do nothing beneficial. Their most recent version is arguably malicious. Norton / Symantec is worse. Install none of that junk.
You may be considering them due to a familiarity with their equivalent PC products, in which the case for advocating their use may be entirely different - I'm assuming that is the case since no knowledgeable Mac user would ever consider either product. For all I know their Windows PC products may be reputable.
is there any other programs and/or other applications I should know about or use to help with viruses and security?
"Anti-virus" software serves no purpose on a Mac and is a common cause of problems reported on this site. OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Automated means of protecting your Mac from malware are an ineffective defense against that threat. At best, they will provide a false sense of security, a threat all to itself.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac, 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.
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 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.
Block browser popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > and check "Block popup windows":
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but popups have devolved to become a common means to deliver targeted advertising that you probably do not want.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever see a popup indicating it detected registry errors, that your Mac is infected with some ick, or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore 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. To date, most of these attempts have been pathetic and are easily recognized, but that is likely to change in the future as criminals become more clever.
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.

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.

Free anti virus software for macbook pro OS X 10.8.4

What is the best free anti virus software for my MacBook Pro OS X 10.8.4? Only just been made aware that there is reputable AntiVirus available from BBC's CLICK ON-LINE

circulair@ wrote:
What is the best free anti virus software for my MacBook Pro OS X 10.8.4?
In General 3rd Party AV Software is Not Required as Mac OS X tends to look after itself.
Read Here > https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4545776?tstart=0
See Here > Antivirus Discussion
https://discussions.apple.com/message/20969069
The Safe Mac > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/
Also have a look at this Informative Discussion
https://discussions.apple.com/message/22247724

Do I need internet Protection for Macbook Pro

When I bought my Macbook Pro, I bought Norton Internet security as well. It has expired now. Do I need to renew it or is it protected?

Uninstall Norton, it is not needed, will slow the Macs performance down considerably and interferes with how the Mac operates.
All the internet security you will need is built in to Mac OS and is updated free.

What is recommended as virus protection for Mac?, What is recommended as virus protection for Mac?

What is recommended as its protection for MacBook pro.

See my Mac Malware Guide. Although you certainly can do without anti-virus software, there is malware out there, so you do need to be aware of how to stay safe online.

Virus protection for my macbook pro

Does anybody know of a good Virus protection for my macbook pro? Some people say i dont need one is that true? I was hoping to get a cheap/reasonable priced protection for a lil extra help. Im worried about my laptop getting a virus.

Thomas A Reed wrote:
sigh. Discussions about anti-virus software here are a hot-button topic, and often cause virtual fistfights. Not your fault, of course, but now there's a lot of confusing information being thrown back and forth here. Let me try to clear the air a bit.
First, regarding ClamXav, Kappy's link is fine, but I would refer you straight to the official ClamXav site rather than the MacUpdate page:
http://www.clamxav.com
There is another ClamXav site, ending in .org, that is fake. It's not related to the actual ClamXav. Don't go there. I'd love nothing better than to get that site taken down, but alas, that is not within my power.
I have mixed feelings about ClamXav. I like the guy who develops it, and I like the way it works... but it's not always on top of things with regard to malware definitions.
Regarding Avast, it is certainly not "the worst of the whole wretched lot" of anti-virus software. Neither is it something I would recommend highly. It has a tendency towards false positives, in my experience. Beyond that, I have not used it for a lengthy period of time, and cannot say more.
Go to my Mac Malware Guide and get the information you need to learn how to protect yourself, and then make your own educated decision about anti-virus software, based on your needs and behaviors. I have some recommendations there, and you can also take a look at the results of my testing of Mac anti-virus software. (Be sure to read the whole thing, and don't just skip straight to the results, as the results are meaningless without understanding what they mean and what they don't mean.)
With respect to your site and your basic research on the matter and limited time spent with these engines running, you have to see this from my side as well. I have over 20+ client networks that run nothing but the full licensed version of Avast with just the AV filters turned on (none of the Firewalling built into it of any kind). 2 of those clients are full Mac networks with 15+ Macs on them and they run the Mac version without issue. Their systems run at the same speed as they did without anything else on them. I also run the software myself daily an my system has no issues with slowness or anything. I have run Avast for the past 6+ years without problems with false positives or system corruptions of any kind, the same cannot be said for other platforms like McAfee and Norton who's bad signature updates have crippled entire networks. I have looked at numerous options from ESET to AVG Free and none of them have as small a footprint on the system as Avast in my professional opinion (one backed by over 15 years in the IT industry). While as of late I'll agree that the PC version of the software has had some additions to it that I don't agree with (like the newly added features of 8.0), the Mac version is still pretty basic in contrast. As such, even the PC side isn't bad, you just have to do a custom install and just exclude the additional options you don't want. Ultimately, they're adding it in there to try and protect idiot users more, but there's only so much you can do to keep people safe without piling on the security layers.
Anyway, as Thomas said... discussions about AV on Mac forums can go on for hours, but the fact remains that you run a risk with and without something on your system. Utimately it's your call to make, just be open minded and do your research instead of just taking the word of some home user of Macs with lot of points who've used these systems for over 10 years and are more proficient at protecting themselves than you are as a novice user. That is the best suggestion I can give you.

Do I need to install virus protection for the windows portion of the partitioned hard drive on the MacBook Pro?

Do I need to install virus protection for the windows portion of the partitioned hard drive on the MacBook Pro?

You are running Windows, so yes. I like Microsoft's built in protection and how 8.1 is 'hardened' but I also install Malwarebytes. I will not use Kaspersky anymore. But you do need something. And 8.1 is more secure than prior versions definitely but there were some major zero-day security updates on this month's "Patch Tuesday."
The forum for you is "Boot Camp" and this if you look above: Communities / Desktop / Mac Pro is not for MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro
Boot Camp

Buying GTA off appstore for Macbook Pro 15, will it give me a virus?

Hey Guys i want to download/buy GTA off the app store for my Macbook pro 15 with retina display.
Just wondering if i will get a virus or will my computer slow down? I also will want to purchase COD
for Macbook pro 15 as well. I don't want any viruses on my computer. Also when i play internet games
the bottom of the laptop tends to heat up a lot. Is that normal as i only recently bought it for $3,200.
Please help me out here
Thanks guys

What is GTA? What is COD?
Forget about a virus. There are no documented viruses that affect a Mac running OS X.
Barry

Do apple protection plan for macbook pro cover retina or is it just macbook pro

does apple care for macbook pro 15"/17" also cover til macbook with retina or not??

Covers all Mac models. Just be sure to order the correct AC item for YOUR specific model. Price is contingent on the model covered.
Edit: it appears that the AC 15" MBP package covers the regulars and the Retinas as well for that size. To be on the safe side, pick the Retina option from the list:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/applecare

What is the best antivirus for MacBook Pro?

What is the best antivirus for MacBook Pro?

1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. 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, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; 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.
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. OS X 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 presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always 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 the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
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.
Follow the above guidelines, 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 from malware.
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. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free anti-virus products in the Mac App Store — nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
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," doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. 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. 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 virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless a network administrator requires you to do it.
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 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 is going to be infected every time you install an application, read email, or visit a web page. But neither should you have the false idea that you will always be safe, 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. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

What is the best virus protection for all my Apple products?

I have seen ads for Norton 360, McAfee and others that offer virus protection for all your devices. I am looking for protection for:
Mac Pro
MacBook Pro
Mac Mini
iPads
iPhones
If you know what is the best for a smooth running system and providing protection please let me know. My system is acting flaky (Mac Pro) and Wanted to start with Virus protections.

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
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 and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the 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.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in 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.
Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—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. Sandbox 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 are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is foremost a problem of human behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best 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 better informed 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 warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic, Soft32, 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 ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop 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. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.
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.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ 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 padlock icon in the address bar 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" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. 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 AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its 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, commercial AV 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 may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV 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 low-level 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 AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
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 can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. 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. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

The best antivirus and male ware for Macbook Pro

I'm new using Macbook Pro, and please help me to know more is that Macbook pro need antivirus?
and what the best antivirus for Macbook Pro

fazhri sinaga wrote:
I'm new using Macbook Pro, and please help me to know more is that Macbook pro need antivirus?
and what the best antivirus for Macbook Pro
Well, that depends. In your profile you say you are using Mac OS X 10.0.x, but that won't run on a MacBook Pro, so it must be much newer than that.
Since you also say you have a 13" Late 2011 MBP, you must at least be running OS X 10.7.2, so the answer is that the best anti-virus protection available today would be a fully up-to-date 10.7.4 which will protect you against all currently known malware that can impact your computer. But of course, there is always tomorrow and that could be a different story. Just be careful with how you use your admin password and approve certificates and you will probably be fine.
A good summary of OS X malware can be fourn on Thomas Reed's site http://www.reedcorner.net/guides/macvirus/

I think i have a virus on my Macbook Pro, OS X Yosemite, how do i wipe my computer clean without erasing photos and music etc?

i think i have a virus on my Macbook Pro, OS X Yosemite, how do i wipe my computer clean without erasing photos and music etc?

The update alerts are fake, and are intended to dupe you into installing malware or disclosing private information so that your identity can be stolen.
You might get the alerts when visiting a website that has been hacked. Don't visit the site again. If applicable, notify the site administrator of the problem, but don't send email to an unknown party.
If you get the alerts when visiting more than one well-known website, such as Google, YouTube, or Facebook, then they may be the result of an attack on your router that has caused you to get false results from looking up the addresses of Internet servers. Requests sent to those sites are redirected to a server controlled by the attacker. It's possible, but less likely, that the DNS server used by your ISP has been attacked.
Back up all data.
Unlock the Network preference pane, if necessary, by clicking the lock icon in the lower left corner and entering your password. Cllck Advanced, open the DNS tab, and change the server addresses to the following:
          8.8.8.8
          8.8.4.4
That's Google DNS. Click OK, then Apply.
In Safari, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. If you’re using another browser, empty the cache. Test. If the fake update alerts stop, see below. Otherwise, ask for instructions.
The router's documentation should tell you how to reset it to the factory default state. Usually there's a pinhole switch somewhere in the back. It may be labeled "RESET." Insert the end of a straightened paper clip or a similar tool and press the button inside for perhaps 15 seconds, or as long as the instructions specify.
After resetting the router, quit the web browser and relaunch it while holding down the shift key. From the Safari menu bar, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
and confirm. Do the equivalent if you use another browser. Open the Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
Then go through the router's initial setup procedure. I can't be specific, because it's different for every model. The key points are these:
1. Don't allow the router to be administered from the WAN (Internet) port, if it has that option. Most do.
2. Set a strong password to protect the router's settings: at least ten random upper- and lower-case letters and digits. Don't use the default password or any other that could be guessed. Save the password in your keychain. Any password that you can remember is weak.
3. If the router is wireless, or if you have a wireless access point on the network, use "WPA 2 Personal" security and set a different strong password to protect the network. If the router or access point doesn't support WPA 2, it's obsolete and must be replaced.
During the time the router was compromised, you were redirected to bogus websites. If you ever connected to a secure site and got a warning from your browser that the identity of the server could not be verified, and you dismissed that warning in order to log in, assume that your credentials for the site have been stolen and that the attacker has control of the account. This warning also applies to all websites on which you saw the fake update alerts.
Check the router manufacturer's website for a firmware update.
If you downloaded and installed what you thought was a software update, ask for instructions.

Virus protection for MacBook Pro

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