Specialty Forums
Security and Virus
General Hardware
CPUs/Overclocking
Networking
Digital Photo/Video
Office Software
PC Gaming
Console Gaming
Programming
Database
Web Development
Digital Home

General Forums
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 95/98
Windows Me
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Win Server 2008
Win Server 2003
Windows 3.1
Linux
PDAs
BeOS
Novell Netware
OpenVMS
Solaris
Disk Op. System
Unix
Mac
OS/2

Drivers
Driver Scan
Driver Forum

Software
Automatic Updates

BIOS Updates

My Computing.Net

Solution Center

Free IT eBook

Howtos

Site Search

Message Find

RSS Feeds

Install Guides

Data Recovery

About

Home
Reply to Message Icon Go to Main Page Icon

Anti Virus

Original Message
Name: AlwaysWillingToLearn
Date: March 30, 2007 at 08:23:36 Pacific
Subject: Anti Virus
OS: OS X
CPU/Ram: 1
Model/Manufacturer: m
Comment:
Hello there,
i am a windows user, i have never used a mac before so please excuse my ignorance. A friend of mine is buying a laptop with OS X (what ever that means??) she wants to know does she require an anti virus on this system? if so which is the best for mac, prefrably something free, is avg available for mac??

i know i can google this, and i most proberbly get abuse for this, but here goes, what is mac??

Thanks you


Report Offensive Message For Removal


Response Number 1
Name: Golfer
Date: March 30, 2007 at 17:45:02 Pacific
Subject: Anti Virus
Reply: (edit)
I've got several macs, never used anti-virus or spyware
programs on any of them. As of right now, there are no
viruses for Macs in the wild, just proof of concept viruses.
That's not to say it can't/won't happen sooner or later,
just no real need to worry right now.

ClamXav is a free anti-virus program for Macs. About the
only reason to run such a program on a Mac is so you
don't forward a virus in an e-mail to a Windows user.

If the machine is not behind a router firewall, make sure
to turn on OS X's built-in firewall.


Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 2
Name: dominicus
Date: March 31, 2007 at 05:47:26 Pacific
Subject: Anti Virus
Reply: (edit)
No viruses yet..and i know for sure that Virex won't stop
PC viruses from getting passed on, as it can't identify any
of them..I read somewhere (in a read me, I think), that
only mac specific viruses are searched for, but the only
ones in existence are very old classic mac os viruses.
I did a test as I had a badly infected winnt pc drive I was
going to wipe, so I had Virex scan all the files on a disk
image of it I mounted on the mac.
It reported no viruses at all, despite AVG having previously
reported script viruses, worms and bots on the same
install...
So since there's no mac viruses, for now, unless you know
for sure that your AV will catch the windows ones you
could pass on, AV on a mac is worse than useless, as it
could incorrectly make you think you;re passing on clean
mail or files
I still have Virex on my disk, but it's turned off for now...

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal




Use following form to reply to current message:

   Name: From My Computing.Net Settings
 E-Mail: From My Computing.Net Settings

Subject: Anti Virus

Comments:

 
  Homepage URL (*): 
Homepage Title (*): 
         Image URL: 
 


Data Recovery Software




DSHUB24 Connection Problems

need help with dsl and dial up

novel 3.12

help mandriva install last straw!

Icon Scaling in Explorer Bar


The information on Computing.Net is the opinions of its users. Such opinions may not be accurate and they are to be used at your own risk. Computing.Net cannot verify the validity of the statements made on this site. Computing.Net and Computing.Net, LLC hereby disclaim all responsibility and liability for the content of Computing.Net and its accuracy.
PLEASE READ THE FULL DISCLAIMER AND LEGAL TERMS BY CLICKING HERE

All content ©1996-2007 Computing.Net, LLC