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    Anti Virus or Not?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Rock.C, Feb 13, 2011.

  1. Rock.C

    Rock.C Newbie

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    Hi

    I have just bought a MBA 13. I was advised to install anti-virus software. The 2 products offered were from Kaspersky and Norton.

    On my windows machines I use Avast, so paid them a visit and they also offer Mac anti virus software.

    Well Im aware that Mac is not in the same league as windows when it comes to Viruses.

    Basically do you use anti virus software or not.

    And what is the likelyhood of being infected by one? in other words has anyones machine been infected.
     
    Rock.C, Feb 13, 2011
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  2. ifti

    ifti Undiscovered

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    Ive never used any anti-virus on my MBP, and have always been fine.
    Most AV programs for the OSX platform actually still search for Windows viruses. You can still get these viruses on your Mac, although they do not run or do anything. Hence the AV will detect Windows viruses so that you do not pass them on to Windows based machines.
    Nevertheless, Ive still not bothered as my Mac is only ever used at home, and anyone Ive emailed hasnt ever complained! As I said, no issues here whatsoever.
     
    ifti, Feb 13, 2011
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  3. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm with ifti.
    I'll put my AV expense where it is needed, and not consume disk space and CPU cycles on my Mac until there is a documented need.

    If you feed the beast (Mac AV industry), then it will aim to justify itself.
     
    SP Forsythe, Feb 13, 2011
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  4. cyber16

    cyber16 Notebook Deity

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    If you are running or plan to use bootcamp/Windows, YES use a windows compatible anti-virus app on the windows partition.
    I would not worry about the osx partition
     
    cyber16, Feb 13, 2011
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  5. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

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    I certainly wouldn't get anti-virus for my Macs. Never needed them. People overlook that Mac OS X is built on a foundation of UNIX and it's a very secure system. It has nothing to do with very few people using Macs or very few virus writers even caring to write them for Mac, it's just a secure system.

    Now OP, I don't think your pole was fair in terms of the "NO" option. You're saying if we say NO, we're lucky? I don't consider myself lucky. Mac is just a good system in terms of security.
     
    HLdan, Feb 13, 2011
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  6. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    Indeed. The answer is leading AND inflammatory. Most will take it as your attempt to demean or belittle those who say NO. Therefore, you seem to be trolling/hoping for a majority response of those who might agree with your apparent preconception or inclination.
     
    SP Forsythe, Feb 13, 2011
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  7. ren3g7ade

    ren3g7ade Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes I use Sophos AV Mac Home Edition (which is free) as Macs become more popular and mainstream, it is inevitable that more viruses will be designed to target Mac users. Better to be safe than sorry. Also SAV doesn't use much in the way of resources on my MBP and updates definitions regularly.

    Highly recommended!
     
    ren3g7ade, Feb 13, 2011
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  8. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    I would just use the free iAntivirus, thats what I used when I had a Mac.
     
    Nick, Feb 13, 2011
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  9. Xhibit

    Xhibit Notebook Evangelist

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    It depends what your doing. Just like with windows you don't necessarily need to run anti-virus if you have a good amount of common sense. Downloading an 500kb .exe "song" off a file sharing site, then running as an administrator is probably a bad idea, but if you didn't realize that your anti-virus will save you.

    Just like on Mac if your downloading any third party software, your at risk of malware, might as well be safe. Especially if you visit file-sharing sites, programs like Photoshop "for mac," Logic Pro, Final Cut, Adobe master collection "for mac" are commonly infected with malware.

    Now if your only browsing/email/office you don't really need it, but why not? Its free.
     
    Xhibit, Feb 13, 2011
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