Anti Virus Software....

[billygoat]

I'm waiting for my Mac mini to be shipped from Apple; it will be my first Mac. Probably a dumb question! Is there any need for Anti Virus software on the Mac?

[iMav]

[billygoat]

Thanks for the reply. "Just keep your root account disabled and be mindful of all sudo/admin actions." How do I do that? Do you mean make another user account? Is the default account you set up the admin account? Sorry like I said new here!

[nalenb]

It comes with the root account disabled, so you are pretty safe with the default. When you go to install something that is system wide, it'll ask for your password, so things generally can't be installed without your permission. On top of that most programs like Mail & Safari won't run scripts and code automatically, making them a bit safer. This would probably stop most of the ad/spy ware. Viri on the other hand are usually written to circumvent those things anyways.

I think there are anti-virus programs for the Mac, but most people don't use or need them. If you follow the standard procedures of only using software from reputable companies and not opening attachments from email you'll be safe (no matter the OS).

On Windows, most of the ad/spy ware I've seen has been packaged with other "cool" stuff. The packaging makes the user want to install it and they will install it no matter what kinds of warnings are popped up or passwords asked for. I think on the whole, average Mac users are more savy and would less likely fall for such things. Just make sure if you have kids, they don't know your password so they won't be able to install things.
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Mac mini powered up on 2-11-2005

[billygoat]

Nalenb,

Thanks for all the tips! "When you go to install something that is system wide, it'll ask for your password, so things generally can't be installed without your permission." That's the fatal flaw with Windows! I'm so sick of Windows viruses and spyware that's one of the majors reasons why I'm switching to the Mac and I want use all these cool applications like iDVD, iPhoto and Garageband. I'm sure there will be a learning curve with OS X but I was bored with Windows anyways.

[nalenb]

I wouldn't call it a fatal flaw. Windows does ask if you really want to install something, and you can setup a non-admin account. It's just not the default. I bet a MS would get a lot more calls if they disabled the admin account on default though. There are just so many people who want to install "cool" screensavers or free games infected with ad/spy ware that they can't stop it. Viri are a different story. I can't think of a good reason why Outlook used to run scripts by default.
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Mac mini powered up on 2-11-2005

[blazer]

I've never used an anti-virus program on any of my Macs.
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1.42GHz Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini (2009)
2.5GHz Core i5 Mac mini (2011)
24" Dell LCD & 42" Sharp TV
EyeTV 250 Plus
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G iPod nanos
16GB 3G iPhone

[packerfan]

You can't even keep on top of it anymore on the PC side. Everyday it's a new threat or exploit!

[Gavin]

Why do symantec make Anti Virus software for the Mac then?
There must be a reason - The current version is 9 and I always think that its better to be safe than sorry, but then again what do I care - I got a Mac now!!!

But seriously, I'd like to know about Mac viruses and how often they appear... is it really true that keeping the root account disabled stops viruses?

Also - What about spyware... I used to use Adaware on the PC regularly.... id there something similar to this - or is it simply not required yet? (Wait till the Mac Mini sells billions!)

Now, another question (sorry).
Popup blockers! - I used IE6 and got used to the SP2 popup blocker... it was NICE! I have heard that the version of Safari that ships with Tiger has a popup blocker, is this correct? Any good?

Thanks in advance... (A converted PC user, using his work PC....yuk).
Still like the PC tho.

Gav

[jaymenna78734]

[DoFa]

Get Camino and try it out. I like it better than Safari. Blocks pop ups by default. Much faster than Safari under Panther. Can't speak to the new Safari though, my copy of Tiger arrives tomorrow.

Don't worry about viruses, with Macs it's a non-issue.