What system utilities do you recommend?

Hi,
I am a new switcher to Mac.
Can you please recommend what system utilities I should purchase and which brand I should purchase.
The ones I want are :
1) I need an anti-virus program (I know there are no real problems on the Mac with virus's, but it is better to be safe than sorry!)
2) A firewall. (Is the one that comes with Mac OS X good enough or should I use a commerical one?
3) A Backup program
4) A Disk utility program
5) A general system utility program for system maintenance
I would be really grateful if you experienced Mac users could give me advice on this matter.
Thank you for your help. I look forward to your responses.

Hi, Lucky Luxy.
Here are my recommendations, in order corresponding to your list:
1. re: Anti-virus: See my "Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware" FAQ for my recommendations as well as a list of some recent Mac OS X security threats that have emerged, including Trojans, rootkits, and spyware. The FAQ also addresses some of the usual arguments against installing an anti-virus solution on a Mac that often arise in discussions of this topic.
While some believe that anti-virus solutions are not required on a Mac, I feel that's ignoring the fact that threats are emerging and that security exposures continue to be found, albeit eventually closed, in Mac OS X, as in any other operating system. Even Apple now recommends that one should "check for viruses."
2. The firewall included with Mac OS X is "industrial strength." No need for a third-party firewall product.
3. A comprehensive Backup and Recovery solution is essential. Computing without a comprehensive Backup and Recovery solution is like driving without auto insurance. If you don't have a Backup and Recovery solution that you're using regularly, you're essentially accepting the risk that at some point all of your data may be lost. For advice on the backup and recovery solution I employ, see my "Backup and Recovery" FAQ.
4. re: Disk Utility. I recommend having both Alsoft DiskWarrior 4.x+ (DW4) and Micromat TechTool Pro version 4.x+ (TTP4).
While both can build a new, optimized directory for a disk, I have found there are some disks that only DW4 can repair. DW4 is a "specialist" in disk directories.
Likewise, TTP4 brings a host of useful hardware testing routines that are neither in DW4 nor the Apple Hardware Test. TTP4 also includes an excellent disk defragmenter. Defragmenting is generally not required under Mac OS X 10.3 or later unless you perform an extensive amount of video editing or your disk is nearing full, in which case it may be useful. See Mac OS X: About Disk Optimization. TTP4's Surface Scan is also useful in determining if a disk has developed bad sectors.
If one owns neither utility today, the initial investment may seem like a good deal of money, but compared to your data and your time, the cost of these utilities is insignificant in the the long run. I've found their upgrades to be reasonably priced for what they do.
Neither utility is a substitute for a comprehensive Backup and Recovery solution. But I've seen DW4 save more than one person's bacon and the suite of hardware tests and additional functions TTP4 bring to the table make both a worthwhile investment.
If one could only purchase one now, I'd recommend they purchase DW4, then later add TTP4 when funds permit.
Better to have the tools and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
A good mechanic has more than one kind of wrench in their toolbox.
5. re: General Maintenance: See my "Maintaining Mac OS X" FAQ. It covers my advice on "regular maintenance" and dispels some common "maintenance myths."
Finally, since you are new to Mac OS X, you may benefit from some of the educational resources I recommend in my "Learning About Mac OS X" FAQ.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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