battlemaiden Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Is it true that Macs don't need anti-virus software? How is that possible? Jo -My dh just bought a Mac book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneC Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Don't quote me on this but as far as I understand it Macs don't need anti-virus software because hackers can't be bothered writing viruses for Macs:001_smile:. We certainly don't have anti-virus software on our Mac while we do have it on our PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 It's just that, up to now, hackers have concentrated on the bigger 'market' in PCs. I don't have anti-virus software at the moment, but I usually do (I've just been remiss) - I reckon that one day a hacker is going to have a field day with all those unprotected Macs. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 There are a couple of "things" floating around in Mac land. You have to give your Admin pw for them to be installed - and 99.9% of them have come from porn sites. The last one i heard of changed DNS entries and made it hard to get online. Erase all your data? NO. Overall no - you don't need it because of the way things are built (and you use the same guidelines you are used to - don't install something from someone you don't "know"). NOW, i don't have anything running right now - but you can still technically pass on a virus to a Windows user if it's in an email you send out. You didn't "get it" - but you shared it. I delete anything that come with an attachment i'm not expecting - and no on here would EVER forward bulk mails right?! :D But getting nasty malware, spyware and stuff from pop-ups your kids might click on? Nope. Even if you are running in the Admin account - you STILL have to type your Admin name & pw to install any app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Yes, the mac is virus free. You don't have to worry. That may change in the future but I have been using a mac for 10 years and I think I've been saying that exact phrase for that long! It's just that, up to now, hackers have concentrated on the bigger 'market' in PCs. I don't have anti-virus software at the moment, but I usually do (I've just been remiss) - I reckon that one day a hacker is going to have a field day with all those unprotected Macs. Laura That is only partly true. The reason is also partly due to the mac using Unix as core of it's operating system. Nothing can install on your mac without you knowing it. You will get a pop-up tells you something wants to install and you need to type your password. Now, I'm sure there are people who might enter the password to download something malicious but it can't be spread to other computers so it can't become a very serious threat. It can't be an effective virus if you can only infect one computer at a time without it being spread automatically. BUT because of the let's say, taunting, by some in the mac community, writing a virus that infects the mac would be a prize in itself. This is where we are lucky that the mac won't automatically load anything (not from mail, not applications etc.) There have been a few "proof of concept" type trojan scares that have been only theoretical but those can't spread from computer to computer like a virus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deidre in GA Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Jumping in Puddles has nailed it. i will add, though, if your DH intends to run Windows on his MacBook he should know that the Windows partition is just as vulnerable to viruses as any PC and he needs to run all requisite virus protections. if the Windows side never gets ANYTHING from the internet, then that caution is less necessary. perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I have protection on the iMac, because I run Bootcamp (for the Windows side). I have and love Virus Barrier/Bit Defender. It covers both sides of the computer. I don't bother with the MacBook, and after three years, I've had no problems. http://www.macworld.com/article/50745/2006/05/virusbarrierx4.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Just wanted to confirm what others have said, and add my own personal experience: I've owned Macs exclusively for almost twenty years with no virus protection and have never had a virus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 DH still put it on our mac's. And yes, it has had issues before. The reason we did is I download stuff. Files, applications, stuff from unknown sources...and yes, some are corrupted sometimes. We also have a backup drive. And it scans it everytime I backup and the few times I needed to get the info off the backup drive. And yes, it has found 'issues'. So while you are pretty safe it's still a very good idea. My DH is a software engineer who is obsessed about security :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 This is the one i have most recently read about. http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1017&message=29481954 http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1726710&tstart=0 No one says - but i'm guessing the "certain quicktime movies" aren't something i'm probably finding on my own ;) Less likely, but possible, is that the slowness is caused by a Trojan such as the one called 'DNSChanger' or 'OSZ.RSPlug', which can alter the DNS settings of your network connection. This particular Trojan can be inadvertently installed if you have come across certain Quicktime movies where got a window stating that you have to download and install a particular codec in order to see the video. I figured i'd put this on here in case anyone is searching and wonders what the heck i was talking about. And then, gasped, asked me - like i'd remember in a few more weeks?!?! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deidre in GA Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 DH still put it on our mac's. And yes, it has had issues before. The reason we did is I download stuff. Files, applications, stuff from unknown sources...and yes, some are corrupted sometimes. We also have a backup drive. And it scans it everytime I backup and the few times I needed to get the info off the backup drive. And yes, it has found 'issues'. So while you are pretty safe it's still a very good idea. My DH is a software engineer who is obsessed about security :D corrupt files and viruses are different issues. i download a lot also. having the protection on the mac side doesn't hurt but it is an unnecessary expense. of course, if it make dh feel better, then virus protection is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 :iagree: I keep protection on ours because DS likes to download little Lego movies and Naruto stuff. It's just better to be safe than sorry. asta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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