anti virus and spyware on os x

slinxy

slinxy

slinxy

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3 Dec 2002
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Hi

I know there are a few viruses and spyware on the mac, the question is; is it worth having one on the system? if so which one would people recomend?

Thanks
 
There are no viruses or spyware for Mac OS X in the wild, so you do not need any anti malware software.
 
Oh lordy, not the damp squib that was the Apple Month of Bugs and MacScan are a proven scammers, they try to sell their crap software by frightening people who don't know any better.

Behave yourself.
 
Riiiight... so.. they are the hoaxes faking bugs because OS X is malware free? And so is this list because let's face it, even Kaspersky has to flog their software somehow...


That bubble looks kinda pretty on ya. You wear it well. :D
 
I am getting really tired of this crap.

Look, I don't give a flying **** about what you think, there is no in the wild malware for Mac OS X at this stage. Spend all day on-line researching it if you want, I won't believe you and nor will the vast majority of knowledgeable Mac users and nor will Apple.

I tell you what, why don't you tell the OP that he should invest in MacScan and Norton AV for his new machine, as long as you answer their questions as to why their machine runs like a dog solving non existent problems and they are fifty quid lighter for the privilege.

slinxy,

Please believe me, you don't have to worry at all. Alternatively, believe the clueless Mac bashers that seem to infest this forum, one which I will no longer be posting in. :(
 
AJUK said:
I am getting really tired of this crap.

Look, I don't give a flying **** about what you think, there is no in the wild malware for Mac OS X at this stage.
Click to expand...

Bizarre. If you believe so strongly that a proprietary BSD clone is not hackable or not prone to malware, while it's fully hardened, properly maintained source are you really need to get a grip on reality. Granted, I only have old school iMac on my desk, and only had it run through every official OS since MacOS9, bit even such relatively "short" experience leaves no illusions, really.

However, one thing is for certain - I will not have you swear at me boy, no matter how much of a liftoff you get of your Intelitosh. Keep it in respectful manner. If you "don't give a flying **** what people think" you should perhaps revise the idea of posting on internet forums. It might come as a surprise, but we come here to discuss things, not to obbey your Lordship's master voice.

How did you earn that "Man of honour" plaque with your mouth anyway?
 
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/Gets the popcorn :p

In all seriousness though, there's two sides to this argument. As a *Nix based system, a Mac is inherantly more secure than a Windows machine, due to the priveledge elevation system. (Admin password prompts) Yes, there is some malware available for the Mac, but as far as I'm aware, all the in the wild examples require some degree of user intervention before they become active.
Secondly, the userbase means that there are proportionally fewer virii/ malware availble for the Mac or any *Nix based system. There is a small chance that you might be one of the few who are a victim of it, but its neglible.

Conclusion? I wouldn't pay for any program, but I would run ClamAV (Free) primarily to avoid passing through Windows virii, & on the offchance that something does hit the Mac box.

-Leezer-
 
 
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AJUK said:
I am getting really tired of this crap.

Look, I don't give a flying **** about what you think, there is no in the wild malware for Mac OS X at this stage. Spend all day on-line researching it if you want, I won't believe you and nor will the vast majority of knowledgeable Mac users and nor will Apple.

I tell you what, why don't you tell the OP that he should invest in MacScan and Norton AV for his new machine, as long as you answer their questions as to why their machine runs like a dog solving non existent problems and they are fifty quid lighter for the privilege.

slinxy,

Please believe me, you don't have to worry at all. Alternatively, believe the clueless Mac bashers that seem to infest this forum, one which I will no longer be posting in. :(
Click to expand...

*INDIGNANT MAC USER ALERT*
 
EVH said:
Please use the search feature! This has been done to death and always yields the same flame war :mad:
Click to expand...

And funnily enough every single one of these threads involve AJUK standing on the barrel and addressing the crowd with "THERE IS NO SPOON" propaganda. :D
The guy has agenda...
 
leezer3 said:
/Gets the popcorn :p

In all seriousness though, there's two sides to this argument. As a *Nix based system, a Mac is inherantly more secure than a Windows machine, due to the priveledge elevation system. (Admin password prompts) Yes, there is some malware available for the Mac, but as far as I'm aware, all the in the wild examples require some degree of user intervention before they become active.
Secondly, the userbase means that there are proportionally fewer virii/ malware availble for the Mac or any *Nix based system. There is a small chance that you might be one of the few who are a victim of it, but its neglible.

Conclusion? I wouldn't pay for any program, but I would run ClamAV (Free) primarily to avoid passing through Windows virii, & on the offchance that something does hit the Mac box.

-Leezer-
Click to expand...

plus plus

What he said.

Given the whoops of joy we will hear from certain Windows Zealots, when a vulnerability becomes an actual attack vector, I think investing in ear plugs makes more sense than investing in Mac Anti Virus.

As it stands no system is completely free of bugs or vulnerabilities. However the conversion rate of these on Mac OS X to actual end user threats is zero.
 
Personally I hardly see the point for me to run Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware even on my Windows computer...all you need is Firefox and common sense IMO :)
 
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