What kind of virus and malware protection do I need for my new iMac?

I am new to Apple computers, what virus or malware protection do I need?

Agreed, please read Thomas's guide!
As a general rule of thumb though, no additional software is needed for malware or virus protection. Apple computers are incredibly secure, the best protection is running Software Update often and not downloading from illegal software from torrent sites. Other than that, OS X is incredibly secure and best left alone to run well.

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What kind of virus or malware protection is recommended?

I just got a new IMAC (home computor). I called Apple support and they said Apple doesn't endorse or recomend any specific virus or malware for my Apple... Any other users out there have any malware, spyware or anti virus app's they recomend to keep your PC virus free and running good?

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 the free software ClamXav— 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. 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.
ClamXav 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
ClamXav 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 ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
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.

Virus And Malware Protection for my iMac Yosemite 10.10.1

Hi,
My iMac starting opening random websites and I installed a free copy of Avast to take of it but I want to buy the best one. I'm looking for Virus and Malware protection for the lastest Yosemite.
Thanks!

You installed adware along with something else you installed.
Download and run Adware Medic.
Avoid purchasing any type of AV software. All such software only slows down Macs (and PCs), and for the most part, are utterly useless.

What kind of virus protection to use for

wondering what kind of virus protection would be able to use although that the I'Macs has Melware and also what kind of security system would go good with a time capsule?
thanks
Richard Descoteaux Jr.

Regarding the anti-virus software, see my Mac Malware Guide.
As for the security system for a Time Capsule, what kind of security system are you referring to? If you want your backups to be encrypted, see:
http://pondini.org/TM/31.html
If that's not it, you'll need to be more specific.

What are some good free virus and malware programs?

what are some good free virus and malware programs?

The common census by the old timers on the forum is that you should not have any AV software on your Mac cause its not needed, yet the forums are full of people that have been infected with Malware which the same people help clean afterwards.
This totally befuddles me. I take care of quite a few macs and in the past few years have installed Anti Virus software on them and other than Sophos not catching the latest kinds of Malware that are out in the wild, I have not experienced any of the problems that the so called experts claim that they do.
Over the past few months I have migrated over 50 Macs from using Sophos to now using aVast Free Anti Virus for Mac. Other than getting more alerts of Windows viruses being found in Mail there has been no downside whatsover.
I believe in the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. So with that I will recommend that you should have some sort of Anti Virus software on your Mac. As I said prior, for now I an recommending avast Anti Virus for Mac. This will protect your Mac from getting infected with malware before you have to come back and ask the experts here how to fix your Mac and get rid of the malware.
When doing a scan I recommend that you only have it set to only show infections. Since it cannot read some compressed files and reports them as an error.

What is a safe add-on to download youtube video and audio, something virus and malware free?

What is a safe add-on to download youtube video and audio, something virus and malware free?

We do not really discuss add-on comparisons here, but note all officially hosted add-on extensions hosted on addons.mozilla.org and available from the Firefox User Interface will have been reviewed and be safe, secure and virus free.
* Use Menu Button -> Add-ons -> [Search all Add-ons] <br />(Or key in to the Addressbar ''about:addons'')
* Example [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?q=video+download&sort=users&appver=34.0 search] (You may be able to do a better targeted search from your own machine)
** With >5M users top of the list is [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/ Video DownloadHelper]
N.B. There may be possible legal &/or copyright issues with downloading some material, but that is out of scope of this support forum discussion.

What is the best antivirus/malware protection software for my iMac desktop

What is the best antivirus/malware protection software for my iMac

None is needed.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.
See these Apple articles:
          Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection
          OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          About file quarantine in OS X
If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using Dr.Web Light from the App Store. It's free, and since it's from the App Store, it won't destabilize the system. If you prefer one of the better known commercial products, then Thomas recommends using Sophos.(Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.) If you already use Sophos, then be aware of this if you are using Mavericks: OS X Mavericks- Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner versions 8.0 - 9.1 may cause unexpected restarts
From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:
The facts are:
1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.
2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there
     is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.
3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that
     the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering
     techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.
4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on
    your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a
    protection against malware.
5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware
    from which they purport to protect you.
6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.
7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.
8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something
    you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.
9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

I just planned to install windows 7 on my MBP Mid-2012 using VMware Fusion,so i am bit panic about viruses and malware's affecting through vmware,is there any way to avoid from this??

i just planned to install windows 7 on my MBP Mid-2012 using VMware Fusion,so i am bit panic about viruses and malware's affecting through vmware,is there any way to avoid from this??

usamasheikh wrote:
virus protection in vmware or on my running OS X 10.8.2??plz help me out
First, you can install Microsoft's Security Essentials in the Win 7 VM and keep it up-to-date. Second, you can turn off Sharing in Fusion's System Settings to keep the VM environment separate from your Mac. Third, you can look into Sophos Anti-Virus http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition/download.aspx for the Mac host.

Will re-installing OSX and enabling Save Settings kill virus' and malwares?

Hello
My web pages are slow to load sometimes and I'm wondering if I have a virus or malware that is doing it.
I don't want to use virus checkers or malware checkers because I've heard they are themselves used by the virus writers to plant virus' and malwares.
So my question is; If I re-install OSX while enabling Save Existing Settings, will that remove any virus' and malwares if they are on my Mac?
Thanks for your help.

As there are no viruses for Mac OS X it is extremely unlikely that this is your problem, so let's concentrate on your slow page loading.
Firstly, you need a minimum of 10.5.7 (10.5.8 is better) to run Safari 4.0.3. You show you are using an earlier version of leopard.
Post back if you are not using Safari.
But to answer your direct question: just possibly, so read the following first:
No viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions.
It is possible, however, to pass on a Windows virus to another Windows user, for example through an email attachment. To prevent this all you need is the free anti-virus utility ClamXav, which you can download from:
http://www.clamxav.com/
However, the appearance of Trojans 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 here:
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojanosxdnschanger.shtml
SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X. It's available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
The DNSChanger Removal Tool detects and removes spyware targeting Mac OS X and allows users to check to see if the trojan has been installed on their computer; if it has, the software helps to identify and remove the offending file. After a system reboot, the users' DNS records will be repaired.
(Note that a 30 day trial version of MacScan can be downloaded free of charge from:
http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
and this can perform a complete scan of your entire hard disk. After 30 days 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 has recently been published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&cPath=11&productsid=174
Also, beware of MacSweeper:
MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer. It is the first known "rogue" application for the Mac OS X operating system. The software was discovered by F-Secure, a Finland based computer security software company on January 17, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacSweeper
On June 23, 2008 this news reached Mac users:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/23/mac_trojan/
More information on Mac security can be found here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
The MacScan application can be downloaded from here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
You can download a 30 day trail copy which enables you to do a full scan of your hard disk. After that it costs $29.95.
More on Trojans on the Mac here:
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63574.html?welcome=1214487119
This was published on July 25, 2008:
Attack code that exploits flaws in the net's addressing system are starting to circulate online, say security experts.
The code could be a boon to phishing gangs who redirect web users to fake bank sites and steal login details.
In light of the news net firms are being urged to apply a fix for the loop-hole before attacks by hi-tech criminals become widespread.
Net security groups say there is anecdotal evidence that small scale attacks are already happening.
Further details here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7525206.stm
A further development was the Koobface malware that can be picked up from Facebook (already a notorious site for malware, like many other 'social networking' sites), as reported here on December 9, 2008:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7773000/7773340.stm
You can keep up to date, particularly about malware present in some downloadable pirated software, at the Securemac site:
http://www.securemac.com/
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!
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/
As to the recent 'Conficker furore' affecting Intel-powered computers, MacWorld recently had this to say:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?email&NewsID=25613
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 *********** 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 an AV application.
4. Use Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.
5. Stop using LimeWire. LimeWire (and other peer-to-peer sharing applications) 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.
6. Resist the temptation to download pirated software. After the release of iWork '09 earlier this year, a Trojan was discovered circulating in pirated copies of Apple's productivity suite of applications (as well as pirated copies of Adobe's Photoshop CS4). Security professionals now believe that the botnet (from iServices) has become active. Although the potential damage range is projected to be minimal, an estimated 20,000 copies of the Trojan have been downloaded. SecureMac offer a simple and free tool for the removal of the iBotNet Trojan available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/files/iServicesTrojanRemovalTool.dmg

Do iPads need any type of virus or malware protection?

do iPads need any type of virus or malware protection?

No. There are no viruses which can infect iPads, and there's no way to install malware (evil programs) on an iPad except by downloading it from the App Store.
(Unless you jailbreak your iPad, of course. Then all bets are off.)

I have a Apple MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 13" Late 2011. i want to upgrade its RAM from 4GB to 16GB. But OWC sells two kinds of RAM, the DDR3 and the DDR3L.What is the different and which one would work better for my mac. Thanks!!!

Please help! I have a Apple MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 13" Late 2011. i want to upgrade its RAM from 4GB to 16GB. But OWC sells two kinds of RAM, the DDR3 and the DDR3L.What is the different and which one would work better for my mac. Thanks!!!

I don't see any DDR3L on the page for the RAM that would fit your model -> http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_133 3MHz_SDRAM.
But the answer is that it doesn't really matter - just make certain to get 1333MHz.
Good luck,
Clinton
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X 10.??, 16GB Crucial RAM, Crucial M500 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

Has anyone had any problems with fusion drive? If so, what kind of problems, and were they easily corrected?

I'm looking at buying a new computer. Has anyone had any problems with fusion drive on iMac? If so, what kind of problems, and were they easily corrected?

NOPE!
I better not! My iMac is only a week old. And, if I did have any problems with it, I would let Apple deal w/it! I do not troubleshoot when I'm under warranty. That's Apple job!

My original computer had a virus and is no longer available. i have a new computer and new to sync my iphone. how do i do that without losing all of my information on my iphone

my original computer had a virus and is no longer available. i have a new computer and would to sync my iphone and upgrade my operating system. how do i do that without losing all of my information on my iphone?

Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
For music you cannot download you will need a third-party utility such as Phone to Mac - Pod to Mac or Phone to PC.

Im locked out of my adm. account what do i do and dont have a blank disk for recovery password

im locked out of my adm. account what do i do and dont have a blank disk for recovery password

As noted, this forum is for questions and discussions about the TechNet Wiki. We don't have enough information to move this question to the right forum. For example what operating system? I think it best that you ask your question in a Microsoft Answers/Community
forum here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows
I cannot move this thread there, so will need to post again there. Select your operating system first.
Richard Mueller - MVP Directory Services

Hello. I'd like to get learning and become certified. What should I do and how to find the link for staring education?

Hello. I'd like to get learning and become certified. What should I do and how to find the link for staring education?

Hello there, g0ddess.
The following link proves to be a great resource to get started with Apple Training and Certification:
Training and Certification
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

What kind of virus and malware protection do I need for my new iMac?

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