antivrus

[Feek]

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.

Sounds like your talking about Windows AV, not OS X AV?

 

[theheyes]

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.

The obvious response to this would be if you have never used any malware scanning tools, then how would you verify that nobody (in your personal experience) has ever been infected?

Keeping a regular backup is very sensible but, again, it's not something to be used in lieu of antivirus software.

Sounds like your talking about Windows AV, not OS X AV?

I think he's just commenting on the general detection rate of different anti virus scanners, rather than the specific platform. I agree though that "things getting through" implies a certain rate of flow which really shouldn't be the case for anyone unless you're downloading high risk software or are already infected.

 

[Arthur17]

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'.

If the malware is on your computer, it's already too late!

 

[PardonTheWait]

Keeping a regular backup is very sensible but, again, it's not something to be used in lieu of antivirus software.

Use antivirus then if it makes you happy, but bear in mind that it's protecting you against things that don't exist which is both impossible and pointless

 

[theheyes]

Use antivirus then if it makes you happy, but bear in mind that it's protecting you against things that don't exist which is both impossible and pointless

Mac malware doesn't exist now you're just being unreasonable

For what it's worth, I've not bothered installing AV on my latest OSX refresh just because it isn't really a priority. I'm not advocating that every Mac user run out and get antivirus software, but neither would I suggest it's totally unnecessary or pointless because that simply isn't true. To the security conscious user it does have its uses.

In a back handed way, you're actually sort of right - it boils down to whatever makes you happy. But you arrive at that point based on the reality and facts of the situation. Mac antivirus software being "pointless" and "unnecessary" is largely opinion and perception.

And we can see in this very thread that perception very much doesn't equal reality and we have to cut through some of the marketing and assumptions to get to the facts. Gatekeeper is perceived as a complete block on malware, whereas the reality is it simply makes infection more difficult in the same way antivirus software makes it more difficult.

They both have their uses.

 

[MADMAN]

i use avira free edition for mac.

wasnt even aware that existed thx ill let mac users know of it

 

[PardonTheWait]

Mac malware doesn't exist now you're just being unreasonable

What malware for Mac are you aware of?

The closest thing the Mac has to malware or viruses are so pathetic as to not be worth worrying over imo.

 

[theheyes]

Flashback.

 

[PardonTheWait]

Flashback.

Comparatively good effort but still lame considering Mac users as a whole don't tend to use AV and a good portion of them are not savvy at all.

 

[Traffic_Warden]

Common sence is the best AV

 

[theheyes]

Comparatively good effort but still lame considering Mac users as a whole don't tend to use AV and a good portion of them are not savvy at all.

Actually, Flashback achieved a relatively high infection rate as far as malware goes. If a good portion of Mac users aren't savvy and don't use AV then perhaps it's time to reconsider?

 

[theheyes]

Common sence is the best AV

Nope. Common sense will get you a long way, but antivirus is still the best antivirus.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

I'm in agreement with theheyes here. There are plenty of nasty things out there for the MAC.

you only have to read a recent article over on Theregister to realise a AV is a good idea for Mac's.

Feek no offence meant but you do sort of love Apple products!

I own and love several apple products however SIRI is useless and I always remember you defending it saying its a day to day tool, which is sort of makes your point about AV not needed on a mac carry somewhat less weight.

 

[V F]

Flashback.

When that was at it's high, I remember reading if VirusBarrierX was installed and Flashback detected it, it wouldn't attempt an install. Same goes for Office.

I do have VirusBarrier X6 installed but it's disabled as far as scanning OS X and Live scanning. It's there because I have Windows machines nearby. It only uses resources when it's instructed.

Comparatively good effort but still lame considering Mac users as a whole don't tend to use AV and a good portion of them are not savvy at all.

A lot even enter their details if something triggers authentication without reading or worked out what triggered it.

Common sence is the best AV

Sure and everyone has it, oh yes. It always cracks me up seeing these responses on Neowin.

Nope. Common sense will get you a long way, but antivirus is still the best antivirus.

If some people don't know the difference between right and wrong, safe or insecure, how is common sense going to help them? same goes for anything in life. Everything is easy if you know what to do. If it's not, it can be a nightmare for people. Then there's some people who just don't care how it works, just as long as it works. But just as you said.

Feek no offence meant but you do sort of love Apple products!

Who wouldn't?

 

[Feek]

Feek no offence meant but you do sort of love Apple products!

I own and love several apple products however SIRI is useless and I always remember you defending it saying its a day to day tool, which is sort of makes your point about AV not needed on a mac carry somewhat less weight.

Huh?

I use Siri most days on my iPhone. It works, I use it. I'm just stating a fact.

What does that have to do with my views on antivirus software?

 

[PardonTheWait]

Actually, Flashback achieved a relatively high infection rate as far as malware goes. If a good portion of Mac users aren't savvy and don't use AV then perhaps it's time to reconsider?

Don't get me wrong, I'll be using AV eventually.

I've been saying it for years though to customers - sooner or later we'll have to. What's surprised me is that (in my opinion) we still don't have to yet.

 

[Jimbeam3678]

Huh?

I use Siri most days on my iPhone. It works, I use it. I'm just stating a fact.

What does that have to do with my views on antivirus software?

If you genuinely use SIRI most days then hats off to you but you can't say its anywhere near perfect

Your views on apple products have a lot to do with Anti virus software, the fact that you think its not needed purely because you run Mac software is worrying.

Just out of interest if you don't run AV how would you ever know if you have a virus/trojan etc ?

Like I said in a previous post i've had mac gear before and loved it. The build quality and OS is second to none. The only reason why I moved back to windows is due to work

But to suggest AV is not required on a mac IMO is daft

 

[theheyes]

Don't get me wrong, I'll be using AV eventually.

I've been saying it for years though to customers - sooner or later we'll have to. What's surprised me is that (in my opinion) we still don't have to yet.

I don't think the problem has reached a critical mass whereby antivirus is necessary for everyone either. The only thing I take issue with is the consensus that it's completely pointless, or somehow nullified by some other OSX feature.

Fair play if you understand in detail what your operating system is (and is not) doing and you choose not to use an antivirus product, but I would guess that a lot of users don't understand the security aspect as well as they think they do.

 

[Roughneck]

i use avira free edition for mac.

same