Mac anti-virus software question.

[BarbaRosa]

I'm about to connect my new iMac to the internets via an external modem -a high speed connection just isn't in the budget as of yet-.

What is the best anti-virus software for use on a Mac? Free would be great.

Thanks..

[onehandle]

1. There has never been an effective virus that has attacked the Mac.

I used to use anti-virus software up until around 1999 or so.

Everybody got all excited sometime in 2008 when a tech document on the Apple site was found recommending anti-virus software. Turned out it was an ancient document that Apple said was 'old and inaccurate.' Apple deleted it. It was from the pre-OS X days.

I know Macs and Mac programs up and down and inside and out. I could not make a recommendation on anti-virus software because I simply think it is unnecessary and know nothing about the ones that exist today.

If you use Microsoft Office programs, the files it produces are know carriers of trojan horses and worms. But these originate on and only affect Windows systems. You would only be a carrier, but only if you get the file from a Windows user. And it typically would only be attached to that file.

Just remember to never ever open an application that you do not know the origin of. If you end up with a mysterious .dmg file in your downloads folder, delete it. It may contain a trojan horse, which can install malware. Anti-virus software typically won't help you with this.

Viruses are not a problem on the Mac. This could change tomorrow. But they've been saying that for decades.

[BarbaRosa]

3. Thanks, that what I thought,

but being new to the Mac world I thought I would put this forward in hope that someone who knew Macs, such as yourself, would give a definitive answer on this subject.

Again, thanks alot.

[onehandle]

5. Just make sure that your Firewall is switched on.

Under 'Security' in System Preferences.

I'm not sure this is the default, but it should be.

[BarbaRosa]

6. Thanks, it was off.

[struggle4progress]

2. There are some free possibilities in the Research Forum Computer Security thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x5240

[BarbaRosa]

4. Thanks for the link,

there sure is a lot of info there.

[BarbaRosa]

7. Well, I finally did it!

This my very first post from my iMac.

It works great, although it is dial up slow, but I can live with it for now.:bounce: :woohoo:

[klook]

8. ClamXav

http://www.clamxav.com/

I've been using it ever since I switched to Mac 5 years ago. Despite the low virus risk to me as an OS X user, the risk isn't zero. I also want to make sure I'm not forwarding infected attachments to my Windowed family and friends.

[Touchdown]

9. I've owned Macs since 1996, and I've never installed anti-virus software.

And... I've never gotten a virus.

Macs are kind of like lesbians. They can contract HIV, but it's pretty damned rare that they ever do.