Is there any AV for Macs?

Buddies

Is there any Anti-Virus Software for OS X?


EDIT: I should ask. Does anyone on here have or tried any anti-virus software for OS X?

Ruckus

I'm pretty sure both McAfee and Symantec make versions of their AV for OSX.

I don't know if any of the good AVs have Mac versions though.

vonPoonBurGer

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Topweasel

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Yeah but what users probably have more money to burn on their credit cards?

Everywhereasign

Although there has been recent news concerning recent Trojans appearing for OS X. The danger is still low. Although I run a virus checker 24/7 on my windows PC, I don't on my Mac. I do tend to be a little more careful with what I download. I make sure it's from a reputable site. And, relating to the article. I would never update a video codec from a porn website.

Regarding passing on Windows viruses. You'd have to do it on purpose. Typically you run the virus, it installs and sends it's self to everyone in your address book. A Windows based virus obviously wouldn't work on OS X, so you'd have to forward the e-mail to your friends after running the attachment and getting an error. Not very likely IMHO.

It's certainly something to watch, I'm also interested in seeing how quickly Apple patches these exploits, their official party line is still that there are no viruses for OS X.

bigpanda

Depending on what your needs are, there are several options. Symantec makes one. We're forced to use it at work and it's absolutely atrocious.

Personally I'd recommend ClamAV or if you have to go a paid route (for some business reason like accountability and culpability) then I'd recommend looking at Sophos. They have one of the few systems out there that can manage both Mac and PC based clients from a central server.

metaghost

I rock ClamXAV on the off chance that my MBP might've caught something funky.
But, uh, I don't think I've ever really thought I needed it. I just run it every other month or so.

Pheezer

The other thing about viruses and OS X is that the BSD security model severely limits the amount of damage a virus could do. You'd be looking at losing user data, but any changes to the underlying OS, config files, or what-have-you require the administrator password to be entered each time. You would have to be profoundly gullible and actively participating in assisting the virus to infect anything remotely "vital".

This means that so long as you back up your personal documents regularly (and Word documents and spreadsheets won't break the bank in terms of storage needs), you're essentially looking at logging in as an administrator, creating a new account and restoring your backups, then deleting the old account.

I'd also advise strongly against using an administrator account as your regular use account, create a secondary, limited access account for that. Given some basic precautions and preparations, it will often be less time consuming and less bothersome to not use anti-virus software on a Mac. This also applies to any *NIX system, although I'm not sure there are active anti-virus solutions available for many of them.

mcdermott

metaghost wrote: »

I rock ClamXAV on the off chance that my MBP might've caught something funky.
But, uh, I don't think I've ever really thought I needed it. I just run it every other month or so.

I also used ClamXAV when I had a Mac as my primary if only to scan files I shared with Windows users (and my Windows machine). Just so I didn't spread shit. But I'd just have it schedule a scan every now and again, no resident protection or anything.

Buddies

Thanks for the recommendations guys!

ViolentChemistry

Topweasel wrote: »

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Yeah but what users probably have more money to burn on their credit cards?

Honestly? Windows users. The typical Mac user is either in academia or something artsy. When have you known academics and artists to have lots of disposable income?

Topweasel

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Topweasel wrote: »

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Yeah but what users probably have more money to burn on their credit cards?

Honestly? Windows users. The typical Mac user is either in academia or something artsy. When have you known academics and artists to have lots of disposable income?

I would just figure buying an over priced Ipod with overpriced accessories, buying an overpriced laptop with limited compatibility, and buying an overpriced cell phone with a limited signal they would have more burnable cash. I mean I am too poor to throw my money away like that. I built my windows machine, I got my cell phone for almost free, though I do have an overpriced zune though it has a lot more features.

Wulf

Topweasel wrote: »

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Topweasel wrote: »

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Yeah but what users probably have more money to burn on their credit cards?

Honestly? Windows users. The typical Mac user is either in academia or something artsy. When have you known academics and artists to have lots of disposable income?

I would just figure buying an over priced Ipod with overpriced accessories, buying an overpriced laptop with limited compatibility, and buying an overpriced cell phone with a limited signal they would have more burnable cash. I mean I am too poor to throw my money away like that. I built my windows machine, I got my cell phone for almost free, though I do have an overpriced zune though it has a lot more features.

$49 is overpriced for an MP3 player? Dear god, someone had a double serving of elitist jerk this morning

DeathPrawn

ViolentChemistry wrote: »

Topweasel wrote: »

vonPoonBurGer wrote: »

Avast has a Mac version, but it's not free like their Home edition for PC. I've never used it, so I have no idea whether it's any good or not. I would hope that it'd be on par with their PC version, which I've found to be pretty good, but there's no guarantee that's the case.

Also, do any OS X users even bother with antivirus protection? OS X may or may not be more or less secure than Windows, it's really a moot point because aside from people trying to demonstrate a vulnerability or make a point, no one writes viruses that target OS X. If you're a virus creator looking to expand your botnet or log some keystrokes looking for credit card numbers, you're way better off targeting the OS with the largest installed userbase, and that's Windows. Honestly, if you're not running a virus scanner on OS X, I think the biggest risk it creates is the possibility that you might inadvertently pass on a Windows-based virus via email to a Windows-using colleague.

Yeah but what users probably have more money to burn on their credit cards?

Honestly? Windows users. The typical Mac user is either in academia or something artsy. When have you known academics and artists to have lots of disposable income?

Are we really going to go down the road of stereotyping users?

Pheezer

Guys, next person to feed a troll in my forum pulls an infraction. Learn to express your frustration via the Report button or you'll be the one paying for it.