bobbymoore 11:06 Tue Dec 30
Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
|
Got the daughter a MacBook pro for xmas.... not my choice as I despise all apple products.
Looking for some antivirus software. Is there anything decent for free which is good for macs?
|
|
|
Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Joke Whole
4:24 Mon Jan 12
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
"Hello, I'm Josh, the new guy in IT. I just need to take a look at your computer to make sure the latest security update has installed correctly. Will take about 30 minutes - I suggest you go get a coffee or something."
Works for me, every time.
|
Pedant
2:51 Mon Jan 12
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Since the Telegraph apparently doesn't know what a virus is, you can take that with a pinch of salt:
"would require an attacker to get access to a machine".
|
bobbymoore
9:10 Sun Jan 11
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/11335810/Apple-laptops-vulnerable-to-virus-that-cant-be-removed.html
Todays Telegraph
|
Joke Whole
5:57 Thu Jan 1
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
You don't run anti-virus on a Mac then you are a selfish cunt. No argument on that.
I use a UNIX based o/s and that definitely doesn't need any anti-virus protection, but I still have some installed to catch anything that comes my way, so I don't pass it on. I'm caring like that.
I also have various flavours of Windows, Apple & Sun software running in virtual machines (mainly because I can, but mostly because I'm also just a cunt), and they ALL have a/v protection installed, for the same reason.
|
greenie1
5:27 Thu Jan 1
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
you don't need anti virus on a mac.
|
capandhammer
5:21 Thu Jan 1
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Good point about not running as the default Admin user. I didn't think I said they were impenetrable, merely that I don't run AV and watch what you install which still stands.
|
epsom
12:11 Thu Jan 1
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
CapandHammer
"All software including Malware needs your password to install it" depends on which level you run your mac at. If you are using the Admin sign on anything that gets in via the web browser or anything else has a lot of freedom to move around and wait to attack at the opportune time, even alter other programs. However to gain root access it must ask for the Admin password.
If malware attacks while your in Admin User, even without needing your Admin password, the cleanup efforts likely will require a complete erase of the entire OS X with a "fresh install" of everything and returning vetted user files from a clean backup.
Code can run in any user account with any permission level, malware can run there also and still do unseen damage without the tell tale "needs your Admin password" window to show itself or install.
It can upload your files, place malicious images, log your keystrokes and monitor your behavior. All right from Standard User which has the lowest permissions level on the machine.
If one is running as Standard User, the Admin name and password is needed for most malware to escape and make changes to Applications and System/root.
If one is running as Admin User (the default setup on Mac's) then the Admin password is only needed to get root access!
If malware code runs in your lowly Standard User account, it can copy say an admin password requiring program out of Applications (write protected, but not read protected) and paste it into a hidden folder in the Standard User, then change the program into a trojan and replace the Dock icon link with the trojan. The next time you click the Disk Utility icon in your Dock, instead giving your admin password to Disk Utility, your giving it to the trojan which then can do anything it wants too
Go and search for keystroke logging packages that can be installed on a Mac that don't require admin password! You will be surprised at the level of information that can be sent remotely reporting on every activity you perform as well as capture your passwords, bank accounts etc.
Macs are secure and Apple take its responsibility very seriously to protect its customers and brand, they are not impenetrable though and you would be surprised at what can easily be collected from your Mac without Root Access.
Wirelurker, Iworm, Flashback (which some say took 3 months for Apple to address) are some of the known issues that Mac has suffered from.
Finally, Apple changed its tune a few years back from "Macs don't get viruses" to "the Mac is built to be safe". That says everything to me.
|
capandhammer
11:09 Thu Jan 1
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Antivirus is a broken and ineffective method anyway on all platforms. Malware is produced and spread and then the Antivirus software is updated with the knowledge to fight it. All of the major problems have infected computers before antivirus knows about them. install it if you think it is important and you run Windows, the sheer volume for Windows AV will give you fighting chance but not a guaranteed one, I have used a Mac for 10 + years and never once installed Antivirus and any malware that has effected the Mac has been dealt with very quickly with software updates and they have usually fixed any effected machines. Also on the Mac all software including Malware needs you to put your Password in to install so don't install software that you don't know where it came from. All Antivirus software will do on your mac is affect performance as it scans for things as you perform day to day tasks.
|
Honest Hammer
2:35 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
6 years with the same MacBook Pro. Only time I had anything like spyware or a virus was on the bootcamp partition running Windows.
Not to say it won't ever happen but you're mostly just wasting resources by using one.
|
Ditcher
8:55 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
FatboyChelseaScum 8:49 Wed Dec 31
What software do you use to check?
|
FatboyChelseaScum
8:49 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
I intentionally open and download those dodgy emails that were told to definitely not open and download just for the hell of it.
10+ years as a mac user. Never had a virus.
|
epsom
6:10 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Bobby
Meant to add that I do use Windows on a virtual basis plus send and receive a lot of MS files on my Mac, hence use of an anti virus software.
Mackeeper has a lot of negative PR, however if you dig under that its a useful tool.
However if not sending and receiving MS files, merely web browsing, not sure if its worth the investment.
|
epsom
5:33 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Have used Mackeeper for a number of years across all our macs. We have 5 in total.
Just looked on my work PC and 41 threats detected, mixture of viruses, malware, trojans, all of which are either quarantined or deleted.
It does cost, however not expensive in my opinion.
Its a growing problem on Macs, not anywhere near Windows proportions however.
|
Joke Whole
4:34 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Apple products CAN pass a virus on in an e-mail (chain), so it makes sense to install some protection to help weed viruses out of the system.
Windows software is also UNIX based, but it was what Microsoft removed from the base UNIX code in order to get it to work on a cheap chip that made it more vulnerable.
Of course, if you're a real life Billy No-Mates and don't actually get enough e-mails (Ad spam doesn't count towards your popularity rating) to contain viruses, go ahead and "boast" to the world that you don't run any anti-virus programs because "you know what you are talking about".
|
Vexed
12:50 Wed Dec 31
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
Sophos is free, give that a whirl.
There are lots of mac viruses/malware these days due to their increased popularity with the Starbucks mong brigade. Most mac users wouldn't know if they had a virus or malware either so that help perpetuate the myth that they dont get them.
They didn't get them in the past because they were only owned by a handful rollneck wearers, geeks and peados.
HTH
|
bobbymoore
11:20 Tue Dec 30
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
The reason there aren't as many virus' etc on macs is due to the fact that Microsoft has over 80% of the desktop market... so if you're a criminal or hacket etc you are going to target the most popular OS.
Also unix based OS have more security features built in.
However, if you're not a dick and use windows normally and don't go using torrents and porn, you'll be fine.
|
Cor Blimey
11:19 Tue Dec 30
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
here you go bob, hope she has fun mac-ing. Happy to help
Currently if your using one of the two last OS X versions in circulation, are applying your software updates as Apple will usually issue a fix themselves. Because Mac malware is rare and not many anti-virus companies are looking for it, and when one does happen to find one, they don't immediatly share the "signature" or details with other anti-virus makers or they don't necessarily update. So even with anti-virus installed, doesn't mean your protected against new malware vectors.
However a scan once in a awhile with ClamXav is a good idea, since it's free/donationware. Also if your running virtual machines, it will find malware in those.
|
bobbymoore
11:18 Tue Dec 30
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
I just don't like the OS. I'm happy with Microsoft, never had any issues or virus'.
Unless you are a music producer, hipster or graphic designer you don't really need a mac. I'm happy with what I've got and always used.
|
Leigh Jim
11:15 Tue Dec 30
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
why don't you like them?
|
Cor Blimey
11:14 Tue Dec 30
Re: Macbook Pro Antivirus
|
bob, go get some, if it actually exists
|
| 
