antivrus
- Thread starter mark35
- Start date
Why is it useless?
If it's not downloaded from the App store or the software isn't signed by a registered developer, it won't run.
ClamAV is useless since its detection rate is so poor.
How is it useless?! With Gatekeeper switched to the middle option, the OS won't allow apps from unsigned developers. Thus removing any possibility of getting a virus or malware problem.
I'm not going to go down the road of detection rates etc. because usually for every bad result you can find a good result and it's not really the point. It's better than what you get out of the box and I think that's what the OP is interested in.
Yes, that's the marketing message but the reality isn't that simple. I'll put 'useless' into context - useless as a replacement for antivirus. Gatekeeper is not designed for that purpose and neither is it implemented in such a way to reliably perform that kind of function.
Gatekeeper is there to encourage developers to certify their own identity as authors of the software and to provide a means of verifying the integrity of the code. That's what it does. And yes, it does have some positive security implications and other security features can build on top of it, but it's not a replacement for anything. It raises the bar for malware authors but it's an addition to the security features that you already have in place and shouldn't be thought of as an alternative to antivirus software.
I never said it was an alternative to antivirus software. But it renders the need for antivirus software almost irrelevant.
Yeah, I wasn't saying 'you' specifically so sorry if that's the way it came across.
I do disagree that it makes antivirus software irrelevant though, for a number of reasons. That's the top and bottom of my point really.
Whether you decide to use an antivirus package or not depends on the individual. If you consider Gatekeeper to raise the bar (which it does) high enough for your purposes then that's fine - as long as you understand what Gatekeeper is and is not doing.
Yeah, I wasn't saying 'you' specifically so sorry if that's the way it came across.
I do disagree that it makes antivirus software irrelevant though, for a number of reasons. That's the top and bottom of my point really.
Whether you decide to use an antivirus package or not depends on the individual. If you consider Gatekeeper to raise the bar (which it does) high enough for your purposes then that's fine - as long as you understand what Gatekeeper is and is not doing.
To be honest, as long as you're sensible it's difficult to get anything bad on your Mac, even without an Antivirus. I've had my Macbook Pro now for 17 months, and haven't had a single virus or malware problem.
There's very little out there and the chance of getting anything is miniscule anyway so I'm quite intrigued as to what you thought was 'getting thru'. Not having a go, just genuinely interested.
I wouldn't say this is the be all and end all of Mac security. Personally I would highly recommend the use of LittleSnitch. You have to authorize all outgoing connections. So if you do inadvertently fall foul of some Malware it will still have to be given the go ahead before it can 'phone home'.
You could use the Firewall and Lockdown your Keychain with a strong password. You can also Filevault (encrypt) important areas/data on your Mac. No harm in being pro-active and security conscious. If anything it's naive to think Mac's are infallible.
Running AV isn't a bad idea if you also have Windows computers on your network as it will help prevent you from inadvertantly infect them with Windows Virus you may pick up. The commercial version of Sophos is free and seems to be popular amongst those who do choose to run an AV also reportedly has little overhead.
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Yeah this is what I don't get... If I was challenged to get a virus on my Mac I don't think I could.
Soldato
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2003
- Posts
- 24,288
I've never used anything in the 10+ years I've been using Macs.
I don't know anyone who's ever had a virus on a Mac, and I've been selling Macs and training people on them for five years or so.
Just keep a back up and don't be retarded and you'll be fine. To be honest you'll be fine if you're retarded too.
I don't know anyone who's ever had a virus on a Mac, and I've been selling Macs and training people on them for five years or so.
Just keep a back up and don't be retarded and you'll be fine. To be honest you'll be fine if you're retarded too.
I've never used protection in the 10+ years I've been having sexual intercourse.
I don't know anyone who's ever had a STD from unprotected sex, and I've been selling Russian Brides for five years or so.
Just keep your back up and don't be retarded and you'll be fine. To be honest you'll be fine if you're retarded too.
oh just on some lets say linux downloads, when I ran the exes it just did nothing....
and then system would freeze/act odd.
when rebooting the pc and trying to delete that exe, it would not delete
had to run unlocker to get rid of the dodgy exe files.....
I know with kaspersky those type of exes that usualy dont do much it at least blocks it or deletes the bugger before I can even delete it.
Having said that I used it ages ago... not recently it might have improved.
I have had the same issue with avira and bitdefender at odd times also... and nod32, which is why ive stuck with kaspersky the detection is accurate so well, mind u take it with salt since I used these other programs a good year ago they maybe a lot more improved recently.