I know Macs are supposed to be über secure but with all the new iPad and iPhone users is it worth using an anti virus programme or is this just paranoia? If you use anti virus what programme and do you rate it?
Mac anti virus software?
- Thread starter thor1340
- Start date
I use Kaspersky anti virus for mac. Its not that I am too worried about a virus damaging my mac data, I use it because it stops my mac transmitting windows viruses between windows users when using external drives.
jonny5859
Registered user
I use it on my pc good stuff, what version are you using for the mac? i have a mac book air is the kaspersky in the app store the job to use?
Thanks
I use clam-x occasionally if I think I've done some thing stupid. It's free.
Protecting windows users is not a big priority for me
Protecting windows users is not a big priority for me
Not sure how the increase in iPads/Pods would affect mac computers - they have very little in common and the operating systems are entirely different.
I use Sophos Anti-Virus. It is free and I believe it is well reviewed.
I have a MacBook, iMac and an iPad.
Don't use anti virus software on any of them, even the guys in the Apple store say "Don't bother"
Never had an issue......
Don't use anti virus software on any of them, even the guys in the Apple store say "Don't bother"
Never had an issue......
chipsonfriday
Registered user
Free from Barclays if you use Internet banking. Bargain.
Ditto. ln the last 7 years I've bought and still using
1 x Mac Mini, 3 x Macbooks, no probs at all. No anti virus etc.
Apple have a 'Software Update' that you can run and get any latest patches/updates for much of the software on the computer, for free.
Occasionally there's a OS fix/security update or whatever.
Generally Apple have things under their control.........
jonny5859
Registered user
Use the 2011 version and it updates itself every few days. I bought the CD version and will continue to buy the licence. Seems to work seamlessly in the background, I don't have to do anything but when I pop in a thumb drive from someone else it is absolutely amazing how many windows viruses it sometimes finds. As far as I know it hasn't detected a Mac threat in the couple of years I have used it.
I've used various but the Sophos one is the one I use now. Free and you don't really notice it's there.
Even though it's assumed 'you don't need virus protection on a Mac' more hackers are writing viruses and also I feel that it's polite not to pass Windows viruses on to others. It's not their fault they haven't seen the light yet.
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I use loads of Apple products and never had any problems but that is not to say they are still virus proof.
Even Apple has changed its Virus Claims in its "Why you'll love a Mac" OS X Marketing pages
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/25...anguage-on-os-x-security-following-flashback/
I use loads of Apple products and never had any problems but that is not to say they are still virus proof.
Even Apple has changed its Virus Claims in its "Why you'll love a Mac" OS X Marketing pages
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/06/25...anguage-on-os-x-security-following-flashback/
iand46
Registered user
If Apple sold antivirus software people would buy it. its not needed so they dont sell it. 
i recently invested in a new IPad 3 and wondered about antivirus software... i learned that Macs are just as vulnerable to attacks as PC's, the only reason the populus dont strictly recommend the software is because not many virus programmes are written for mac 'breaking and entering' so to speak, there are simply more PC's than macs out there so its not worth the effort by the folk sending them out on their rounds to knack your machine or hijack it!
I use both and only have anti anything software on my PC.
I use both and only have anti anything software on my PC.
If Apple sold antivirus software people would buy it. its not needed so they dont sell it.
Sticking head in sand is always the best policy.
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If Apple sold antivirus software people would buy it. its not needed so they dont sell it.
I've been using them commercially and personally since the mac classic was launched in the 80's. I've been responsible for whole rooms full of them and countless thousands of man hours.
In all that time I've only ever seen one Mac virus and even then not a particularly harmful one.
That said, things are starting to change. It's not the iOS devices (iPhone, iPad) directly, but as people have bought them they have also started to 'go apple' and buy Macs over PCs.
As more people use them, more hackers target them.
Things are changing and while I'm not paranoid about using AV on the mac, I think it's foolish to think that they 'don't need AV' and never will.
The tide is turning
Jiffy176
Registered user
Had kaspersky (sp) free through bank and it really didn't work well with my MAC, I think it was 2011 version. It wouldn't allow the mac to shut down and caused a few errors well reported on mac forums etc. Took it off all good again.
Now use Sophos which was free downloaded from downloads.com. Work use this on PCs so thought must be ok. It gets on with it with minimal fuss, worth installing.
Don't need it on ios devices as everything is supposed to be checked by Apple before being uploaded to the app store.
Now use Sophos which was free downloaded from downloads.com. Work use this on PCs so thought must be ok. It gets on with it with minimal fuss, worth installing.
Don't need it on ios devices as everything is supposed to be checked by Apple before being uploaded to the app store.
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