What is recommended for anti virus software?

I had a free copy of Grisoft AVG 7.0 antivirus on my PC...but now am a convert to a new Intel Duo 2 Core system...
Haven't seen much information up front on advice for anti virus software, have heard it said Macs don't really need it.
So...what is the low down and heads up on this? Is it best to have it?
Typically...anti virus software tends to go deep deep into the system, and will this affect the operating systems of OS X ???
thanks...

Apple recommends that we all use antivirus software; Mac OS: Antivirus Utilities. They know that evil people will be trying to write virus for Mac OS X.
I use ClamXav. It is free. It is continually supported and I update the virus definitions daily. It has never caused an issue, but has alerted me to a number of PC virii. It monitors my Downloads folder and my email.

Similar Messages

Recommendations for anti-virus software OS X Mountatin lion

Just bought a mac and am looking for suggestions for anti-virus software.

Tony S. Wu wrote:
OS X does not come with any anti-virus
Yes it does:
Quarantine
GateKeeper
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
OS X Mavericks- Protect your Mac from malware
There is also a Malware Removal Tool (MRT) that will run once with each OS X Security update that you install. It's designed to remove all commonly found OS X malware that might have previously been installed and not yet detected.
There is a feature in Safari (and several other browsers) that monitors your browsing habits and will alert you before visiting any site that Google's Safe Browsing system has recorded as dangerous. Make sure that option is enabled in Safari Preference->Security->Fraudulent sites:.

Recommendation for Anti Virus software

Hi Folks,
Can someone please recommend a good anti virus program? Thank you.

John:
There is no known virus for Mac OS X and most Mac users never use a-v software. If you are running Windows either in BootCamp or an emulator like VMware Fusion or Parallels, a-v software like MaAfee is recommended. That said, some Mac OS X users feel more comfortable using a-v software, and many of them use ClamXav.
cornelius

What is the best anti-virus software for my Mac?

What is the best anti-virus software for my IMAC?

If you are still using OS X 10.4.x "Tiger" please confirm.
atpatt wrote:
What is the best anti-virus software for my IMAC?
Use what Apple already provided.
There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:
You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.
OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
"Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.
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.

What's the best anti virus software for the Mac?

My Power Mac G4 (OSX 10.6.8) has possible been infected with a virus. Can anyone recommend good anti virus software?

Besides ClamXav, you might also consider Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition. It is also free (for non-commercial use) & shares some features (most importantly the same malware definition database) with that company's commercial AV products.
I have been using it for over a year. It has never caused any problems or slowed down my Macs in any noticeable way. The interface is very polished & Mac-like, easy to use & preconfigured with the options enabled that give you maximum protection & control over detected threats.
Compared to ClamXav, its database seems more complete & more quickly updated when new malware variants appear, & its "on access" scanner seems (to me anyway) to be a better approach to 'always on' scanning than ClamXav's Sentry (available only in the download from www.clamxav.com, not in the Mac App Store version).
Also, ClamXav can have problems scanning an entire hard drive (see http://www.clamxav.com/faq.php#Q7). You don't need to do this often: if you have some 'on access' type scanner running you really only need to scan the entire drive once to make sure nothing harmful was installed before you started using the software. Sophos does this with its configurable "on demand" scanner. It takes a very long time to complete, especially if you set it to check inside compressed files (zips, dmg's, etc.), but it doesn't hang like ClamXav might.

Please recommend good Anti-Virus software?

for my PowerBook 4?
I heard that virus and some spy-ware? are safer or mostly not harmful on Macintosh. I don't know about it correctly and didn't think about it seriously.
But I heard that if some spy-ware? like virus or something is on my computer, other people can spy what I'm doing and get my personal information. Is that true? Are there good resources I can read about them seriously? Also, please recommend good Anti-Virus software.
Thanks much in advance!

I searched and found there is one Anti-Virus software for Mac. (but not sure though) There is Norton Anti-Virus 10.1.
Even though I feel like my Mac PBG4 doesn't have any problems, there could lots of virus on my PBG4?
I read an article (from MacWorld's buying advice) and it says that "...if you’re just going to try it out, be careful about all the components it installs on your Mac..."
I'm not quite sure about the point of this advice. Do you recommend to install it if I'm not quite serious about it? Still, I'm concerned about my all the personal information and important data on my PBG4 and so on.
Thanks for advices and comments!
Message was edited by: blue sky

What is the best anti virus software to use with OS X 10.8?

What is the best anti virus software to use with OS X 10.8? Norton is slowing my iMac down and I'm constantly being bombarded by blocking messages for programs I don't recognize.
Thanks

Get rid of Norton a/k/a Symantec. It is one of the worst pieces of trash you can install on a Mac.
You do not need any additional anti-virus software than is already designed into OS X to protect your Mac against malware. I assume you paid enough for your iMac and that's part of what you paid.
If you use Windows, or are concerned about harboring viruses that target Windows, or care about friends who use Windows, then get ClamXav. It's in the App Store and it is free.
Since friends don't let friends use Windows, I have no use for it.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANTI-SPAM SOFTWARE?

Hello !
Can anyone recommend a good anti-spam software to purchase? I have a new MAC and I use Netscape Navigator for my mail managing system. I really want to be able to block out some email users from my account - but on MAC.com we don't get that option (like we can on Yahoo for example).
So any recommendations for anti-spam software?
Thank you! Pam

Set "Rules" in "Preferences," in the "Mail" application, to delete: "Sender is not in my Address Book", and "Sender is not in my Previous Recipients."
I have resorted to that BOLD move because of all the spam I was receiving that started several weeks ago. The spam was a graphic in the body of the email, which no rule would touch, except for the one as stated above, nor could it be bounced back.
It is working very well, and I am not using any other anti-spam software.
Paula
iMac 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM (Owned a Mac since 1984!) Mac OS X (10.4.6) Slot Loading 8X Dual Layer SuperDrive, iSight & Apple Remote; iPod Video

What is the best anti virus software for a MacBook air?

Hi,just joined the community .just wanting to know what anti virus software for a macbook air running os x mavericks 10.9?I keep getting pop ups on safari.
Any help much appreciated!

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem. You may have installed a variant of the "VSearch" ad-injection malware.
Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
/Library/LaunchDaemons
In the Finder, select
          Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
A folder named "LaunchDaemons" may open. Look inside it for a file with a name of the form
          com.something.daemon.plist
Here something is a variable word, which can be different in each case. It could be "cloud," "dot," "highway," "submarine," "trusteddownloads," or pretty much anything else.
There may also be a file named
           com.something.helper.plist
in the same folder.
Leave the LaunchDaemons folder open, and open the following folder in the same way:
/Library/LaunchAgents
In this folder, there may be a file named
          com.something.agent.plist
where the word something is exactly the same as before.
If you feel confident that you've identified these three files, back up all data, then drag the three files you found to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Close the windows and restart the computer.
Don't delete the "LaunchAgents" or "LaunchDaemons" folder or anything else inside either one.
The malware is now permanently inactivated, as long as you never reinstall it. You can stop here if you like, or you can remove two remaining components for the sake of completeness.
Open this folder:
/Library/Application Support
If it has a subfolder named just
           something
(where something is the same word as before), drag that subfolder to the Trash and close the window.
Don't delete the "Application Support" folder or anything else inside it.
Finally, in this folder:
/System/Library/Frameworks
there may an item named exactly
            v.framework
It's actually another folder, though it has a different icon. Drag it to the Trash and close the window.
Don't delete the "Frameworks" folder or anything else inside it.
If you didn't find the files or you're not sure about the identification, post what you found.
If in doubt, or if you have no backups, change nothing at all.
The trouble may have started when you downloaded and ran an application called "MPlayerX." That's the name of a legitimate free movie player, but the name is also used fraudulently to distribute VSearch. If there is an item with that name in the Applications folder, delete it, and if you wish, replace it with the genuine article from mplayerx.org.
This trojan is often found on illegal websites that traffic in pirated content such as movies. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.
In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
Then, still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
          Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)
or
          Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)
if it's not already checked.

What is the best anti virus software for the mac?

I may have mistakenly allowed someone into my computer to fix a problem with Quicken. Now I am afraid of Identity Theft and wonder if there is a good software CD to take over my computer in order to find any problems with trojan horse applications.

Who was this person that you allowed access to your computer?
If you have reason to believe that this person was a scammer or otherwise malicious, there is absolutely no software that can give your computer a clean bill of health. No anti-virus software will help. A malicious individual with access to your computer could easily make malicious changes to your system that wouldn't be detected by anti-virus software. The only way to guarantee that your system is clean would be to erase the hard drive and reinstall everything from scratch. See:
How to reinstall Mac OS X from scratch
Note that if this person was malicious and had access to your Quicken data, you will need to take additional steps to protect that financial data, such as alerting the bank.
(Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my sites, TheSafeMac.com and AdwareMedic.com.)

Suggestions for anti-virus softwares?

Hi everyone,
I recently brought a Macbook Pro and is preparing to set it up with different softwares. Right now, I am still not sure which anti-virus software I should use for the macbook pro. I have read online articles recommending Norton, Intego, and McAfee.
Can anyone please give me some suggestions or pros & cons to which anti-virus software I should use?
Thanks everyone!

XProtect works with all applications that set the "quarantine" attribute on downloaded files.
I'm not questioning your expertise, but how exactly do you know that? I'd definitely like to read more about it, and especially the "'quarantine' attribute".
It may not be something Apple publishes in its ads, but it's documented in Apple's developer documentation. See (search these documents for "quarantine"):
http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#releasenotes/MacOSX/WhatsNewInOSX/Articl es/MacOSX10_5.html
http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#releasenotes/Carbon/RN-LaunchServices/_i ndex.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40001369
http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/General/Reference/InfoPlist KeyReference/InfoPlistKeyReference.pdf
Apple is, as usual, a bit tight-lipped about XProtect, but I can assure you that XProtect's action is tied directly to the quarantine system. I have verified this through testing with a collection of malware. If the quarantine attribute is set on a piece of malware, trying to open it triggers an XProtect warning. If the quarantine attribute is not set, you can open it freely, with no warning.
That includes all built-in Aqua applications
By "built-in" I assume you mean Apple apps bundled with the OS. (Just making sure.)
That is correct.
other popular web browsers and mail clients.
And what if I'd like to use an unpopular browser?
You might not be a believer in popularity, but if a browser does not implement this feature as Apple has recommended to all developers, you'd be wise to avoid it, as they've dropped the ball. If a browser developer drops an easy ball like this, there are likely to be many other balls on the floor that you haven't seen.
How exactly do I find out if it's on 'the list'?
Carolyn posted a link to my Mac Malware Guide earlier... if you read that, it'll tell you. Basically, if you've got a question as to whether a browser or other file downloader complies with Apple's developer guidelines on this topic, just download a known good app from a known good site. If you can then open that app without a warning, saying the app was downloaded and asking if you're sure you want to open it, then that downloader is unsafe. (Of course, if you have disabled those quarantine warnings, this test does not apply, but that doesn't matter as you've pretty thoroughly turned off all the built-in malware protection anyway.)
And why is this 'list' such a secret, anyway?
There's really no secret involved, it's just a feature that most apps implement (since it's easy to do) and few users care whether it's there or not. It's not talked about, but it's no secret, in the same way that you probably never think or talk about the catalytic converter in your car.

Recommendations for anti-virus, spyware for mac.

Any suggestions for virus, spyware programs or is the OS strong enough to do without?

OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac. Without exception, they will do the opposite.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources. Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
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.
Disable Java in Safari > Preferences > Security.
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.

What is the best anti-virus software for a Mac on a network?

I need to protect my network that includes 1 mac and 2 PC's...is there something recommended for this type of network?

You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer some guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
Bear in mind that from April to December 2011 there were only 58 attempted security threats to the Mac - a mere fraction compared to Windows malware:
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002300.html
(I have ClamXav set to scan incoming emails, but nothing else.)
The above covers your Mac. Your Windows PCs should of course have all the anti-virus protection they can get.

What is the best anti-virus software for OS X Yosemite

i have always used norton antivirus for windows, somehow i am not sure that works as well on OS X

Helpful Links Regarding Malware Problems
If you are having an immediate problem with ads popping up see The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide, remove adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac, and AdwareMedic. If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using ClamXAV. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for this recommendation.) You might consider adding this Safari extensions: Adblock Plus 1.8.9.
Open Safari, select Preferences from the Safari menu. Click on Extensions icon in the toolbar. Disable all Extensions. If this stops your problem, then re-enable them one by one until the problem returns. Now remove that extension as it is causing the problem.
The following comes from user stevejobsfan0123. I have made minor changes to adapt to this presentation.
Fix Some Browser Pop-ups That Take Over Safari.
Common pop-ups include a message saying the government has seized your computer and you must pay to have it released (often called "Moneypak"), or a phony message saying that your computer has been infected, and you need to call a tech support number (sometimes claiming to be Apple) to get it resolved. First, understand that these pop-ups are not caused by a virus and your computer has not been affected. This "hijack" is limited to your web browser. Also understand that these messages are scams, so do not pay any money, call the listed number, or provide any personal information. This article will outline the solution to dismiss the pop-up.
Quit Safari
Usually, these pop-ups will not go away by either clicking "OK" or "Cancel." Furthermore, several menus in the menu bar may become disabled and show in gray, including the option to quit Safari. You will likely have to force quit Safari. To do this, press Command + option + esc, select Safari, and press Force Quit.
Relaunch Safari
If you relaunch Safari, the page will reopen. To prevent this from happening, hold down the 'Shift' key while opening Safari. This will prevent windows from the last time Safari was running from reopening.
This will not work in all cases. The shift key must be held at the right time, and in some cases, even if done correctly, the window reappears. In these circumstances, after force quitting Safari, turn off Wi-Fi or disconnect Ethernet, depending on how you connect to the Internet. Then relaunch Safari normally. It will try to reload the malicious webpage, but without a connection, it won't be able to. Navigate away from that page by entering a different URL, i.e. www.apple.com, and trying to load it. Now you can reconnect to the Internet, and the page you entered will appear rather than the malicious one.

What is the best Anti Virus Software for MAC?

Is Norton still number one, or does anyone recommend a more reliable and efficient software?

The facetious (but largely true) answer, lemacman, is OSX.
I've yet to see any virus checker that doesn't cause far more trouble than viruses do on Macs running under OSX.
Nortons / SAM AV was , mostly, the best under OS's up to OS9. That doesn't mean that it didn't cause problems, but it was generally better than the others. I used it briefly under OSX until one of the updates did something nasty (deleting all of my email, from memory) .
Virex became popular in some quarters for a while but unfortunately at one stage had the unfortunate habit of making peopl's processors run at 100% , causing overheating and other problems in iMac G5s and the like. If I had a quid for every occasion I had to tell someone to remove Virex at that time I'd be a financial rival to Donald Trump!
etc etc etc.
If you really feel you HAVE to have a virus checker, the only one I'd even consider at present is the free ClamX AV . There is a bit of a problem in that you have to use the public beta version if you are running Snow Leopard, but I have little doubt that even a public beta of it will cause less hassles than the current releases of the various commercial offerings!
So - given the number of Mac OSX affecting viruses "out in the wild" at present (none) - the safest course is not to use any, but if you really feel as insecure using your Mac without one as walking down the street without your pants on, then my vote would be that you go for the public beta of ClamX AV.
Cheers
Rod

What is recommended for anti virus software?

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