Anti-virus for Macs???

Loopy Lisa · 03-13-2010, 12:19 PM

As per the subject line, are there any anti-virus for Macs or do we "really" need them?
I've been told by other Mac users that even if I get a virus, it's not really going to do any harm to my Mac or the files it contains. Somehow, after being a PC user for YEARS, I find that hard to believe.

I've googled my question and there are many articles that say one thing, and others that contradict. There's an anti-virus program out there for Macs called iAntiVirus. Anyone ever heard of that?

The reason I ask, is because both me and my 13 year old daughter download shared music from FrostWire. And she does alot of YouTubing as well. And I notice that Safari does not have the ability to tell you ahead of time which sites may be dangerous (like FireFox does).

Suggestions?
Thanks!

Tea · 03-13-2010, 01:06 PM

You can download Firefox for the Macs and my experience is that I've experience more incompatibility issues with software I've downloaded. I've never had a virus in the 18 years and 37 macs I've owned/maintained (I have a lab full of macs). The biggest culprit for the compatibility was LimeWire. Got rid of that and never looked back at using it again.

I can't speak to Frostwire. I don't listen to music like most people take in.

Broacher · 03-13-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loopy Lisa

As per the subject line, are there any anti-virus for Macs or do we "really" need them?

?

'We'?

Oh, you mean the 'we' as in 'we who do pro-design on Macs'. Ah.

Sorry, had my iSmug software off while doing a virus scan. Missed that.

"The sadder but wiser girl's the girl for me..."

**garricks** · 03-13-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broacher

?

'We'?

Oh, you mean the 'we' as in 'we who do pro-design on Macs'. Ah.

Sorry, had my iSmug software off while doing a virus scan. Missed that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loopy Lisa

The reason I ask, is because both me and my 13 year old daughter…

Overreact much, Broacher?

Lisa, at work we use Norton Antivirus. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Broacher · 03-13-2010, 02:01 PM

Who, me?

Sometimes, I kinda feel that being a 'survivor' of the 90's "Platform Wars" just warped me for life.

You know what's funny is that at work we've been a Windows shop for a dozen years and now that they hired a new manager (an ex-co-worker of the director from his last job) and we have two new designers (coincidentally, also two ex-co-workers from the same place... er...) that they have all determined that we must change to Macs, even though our budget has been cut. So, um... why, I dared ask. "Because all the real pros use them" is about the only cohesive answer they chorus.

Okay. BTW, we haven't had a computer virus problem at work in... I honestly can't remember. At least 10 years? Nothing that's ever effected the work, at any rate.

Syphon · 03-13-2010, 04:08 PM

We do not run any anti-virus software on our Macs at the printshop and have never had any virus problems, but definitely use your firewall. But if you want to have anti-virus software, take a look at VirusBarrier. I read good things about it. Also, there is ClamAV which is free, but I have read a few people having it screw up their Macs. As for Norton, I have been told by several people and have read that it is the worst anti-virus software for the Mac. Norton I was told slows down your Mac, but if you are going to run Windows on your Mac then you need Norton.

**garricks** · 03-13-2010, 07:45 PM

The biggest problem we have with Norton AV is getting it through the firewall for updates. I don't notice any slowdown on my Mac Pro. But I realize everyone's mileage varies.

mojoprime · 03-14-2010, 06:28 AM

through comcast, i've got the norton 360, or whatever it is that it's called on the mac side. i was delighted they finally did something to acknowledge their mac users. that said, i've got norton a/v installed and based on what garricks said, i just checked and everything went ok through my firewall. but like he said, YMMV. it seems a lot more stable than it used to be.

shible · 03-14-2010, 06:42 AM

will Mac Mac long time not work with Mac I mees that

any way see avira

it is free & so good I did not use Mac any more this is what my friend say to me

see this link May help you

http://www.easyfreeware.com/find.php?q=avira+for+mac

Rocketpig · 03-15-2010, 03:28 PM

As a long-time IT guy, I would not recommend Norton under any circumstances. In fact, it would be the LAST virus software I would recommend (with McAfee coming in at a close second-to-last place).

I've never run anti-virus on my Macs. I've owned 8 or 9 over the past 9 years and never had a problem.

On the other hand, it never hurts to be a little prudent. At the very least, create a second user account. Work under that and keep the admin account separate. You can upscale to admin at any time with a simple password. It's a simple, effective way to make sure your computer isn't up to any nonsense in the background.