Antivirus for MAC

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Not sure if this goes here or the Virus, Trojan, etc. area, but what are you guys using for MAC AV's? I use VIPRE and MSSE for Windows and VIPRE does not have a stand alone AV for MAC's yet.

 

[Martyn]

http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/kmac-trial-register
good old Kaspersky do one. I have Clam AV for my Mac I think.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I have never used Kaspersky, but seems a lot of people on her like it. I don't have a MAC to try it on, but will keep this as an option if I get a MAC in that is infected. Thanks Martyn.

 

[iisjman07]

Sophos have a free mac antivirus that includes a real time scanner

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

Off subject, but I think I read somewhere that you can't or Apple doesn't allow MAC OS's to be run in a VM is that correct? It be nice to have to test out these AV programs before I try to recommend them.

 

[Rodrick]

That has changed with 10.7 Lion. Now it's allowed in a VM as long as that VM is run on Apple hardware with OS X 10.7 or above in both the host and guest.

 

[phaZed]

I have no experience with it, but Avast is available for Mac as well.

 

[lcoughey]

I use Trend Micro's Office Scan.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

That has changed with 10.7 Lion. Now it's allowed in a VM as long as that VM is run on Apple hardware with OS X 10.7 or above in both the host and guest.

Well thanks for the info., but that leaves me in the same position, lol.

 

[Rodrick]

Well thanks for the info., but that leaves me in the same position, lol.

Oh, didn't notice that you didn't have a mac. Sorry.

 

[geekhelp4u]

I use Avast!
http://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-mac

AVG Link Scanner
http://free.avg.com/us-en/linkscanner-Mac

and of course - CCleaner
http://www.piriform.com/mac/ccleaner

 

[andyroe208]

I am sure F-Secure have an anti virus product for macs

take a look here

 

[300DDR]

I read a technibble article recently saying "macs need virus protection too" --> I disagree. It's MUCH more often I see AV apps causing problems on Mac then protecting them from viruses. Anytime I see AV software on a client's computer, and it's in for a tune-up, I uninstall them. Yes, there is a possibility of some minor virus affecting your Mac, but it's unlikely, and HIGHLY publicized and easy to remove when found.

*The only reason IMO to run it is if you are exchanging many doc files with PC people and you don't want them to get macro viruses.

Someone must disagree

 

[gunslinger]

I read a technibble article recently saying "macs need virus protection too" --> I disagree. It's MUCH more often I see AV apps causing problems on Mac then protecting them from viruses. Anytime I see AV software on a client's computer, and it's in for a tune-up, I uninstall them. Yes, there is a possibility of some minor virus affecting your Mac, but it's unlikely, and HIGHLY publicized and easy to remove when found.

*The only reason IMO to run it is if you are exchanging many doc files with PC people and you don't want them to get macro viruses.

Someone must disagree

I could not agree more. You beat me to it. There are no real viruses in the wild for the Mac. There are a few bits of malware here and there but as you stated its easily removed manually if you even kinda know what you are doing. I also agree that if someone is running their Mac in a Windows environment exchanging lots of files a decent AV is a good option to protect the Windows boxes, not the Mac.

 

[compnet]

I read a technibble article recently saying "macs need virus protection too" --> I disagree. It's MUCH more often I see AV apps causing problems on Mac then protecting them from viruses. Anytime I see AV software on a client's computer, and it's in for a tune-up, I uninstall them. Yes, there is a possibility of some minor virus affecting your Mac, but it's unlikely, and HIGHLY publicized and easy to remove when found.

*The only reason IMO to run it is if you are exchanging many doc files with PC people and you don't want them to get macro viruses.

Someone must disagree

Oh ya, all those mac customers that bring in their mac for a tune up.. And all those mac customers that install an antivirus themselves..



Never once had a mac in for a tune up and never seen antivirus installed. Macs "just work" and don't get viruses if you haven't heard.

 

[300DDR]

Are you suggesting Macs don't need occasional expert tune-ups? If so, you aren't getting the most out of your (or your client's) Mac.

 

[gunslinger]

Are you suggesting Macs don't need occasional expert tune-ups? If so, you aren't getting the most out of your (or your client's) Mac.

I know that was not directed at me but I would like to respond. I do think Macs can benefit from the occasional tuneup. I personally run Ccleaner on mine daily and repair permissions about once per month. Keeps everything running smooth. I don't think Macs benefit from AV programs. All an AV program is going to do on a Mac is slow down performance and keep networked Windows boxes a little safer.

 

[Zippin]

I could not agree more. You beat me to it. There are no real viruses in the wild for the Mac. There are a few bits of malware here and there but as you stated its easily removed manually if you even kinda know what you are doing. I also agree that if someone is running their Mac in a Windows environment exchanging lots of files a decent AV is a good option to protect the Windows boxes, not the Mac.

I'll sign under that too. If ever i feel that i need to run an anti virus, i will be the first to do so, but so far there is no real need. However when it comes to advising customers, i'm a bit more cautious, but still wouldn't recommend any specific antivirus. maybe Mackeeper if the customer really insists. because its 50% resale commission and its got a good antitheft feature.

 

[300DDR]

Zippin: I certainly would not recommend MacKeeper:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=mackeeper+virus&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Even if it's not itself a virus or malware, they do some much phishing and pop-up adds to get people to click and download, it's unsettling to me.

 

[Martyn]

I just checked on my Mac and I'm running Sophos free version.