Comments on: Apple suggests Mac users install antivirus software

Apple advises Mac users to install antivirus software in nod that even Mac users aren't immune to rising malware threats.

[caffemacchiato]

I wonder how many Mac user could list the current Mac Antivirus software(s) available in the market without googling for it.

No OS is completely safe, all OS should come with their own antivirus.

Which builder builds a house without doors, and ask someone else to make door and lock for them.

[Penguinisto]

I wonder how many of any non-CISSP certified folks could list all current in-the-wild viruses for OSX without googling for it.

Meanwhile, off the top of my head, I can list Storm, Mytob, Bagle-A...

[Vegaman_Dan]

I wonder how much more Penguinisto knows about OS X than Apple itself does. He appears to be witholding information from them.

[Penguinisto]

Apple itself knows the same things I do - there's no OSX botnets or active OSX viruses about.

You can prove otherwise?

[eferron]

I am shocked no one here has found some wild, weird way to blame MSFT for this? Wow!? is the a C|Net forum?

[random truth]

Jeez why did microsoft have to invent the virus.
Its all microsofts fault if they had not got so much viruses then they would not have gotten Mac sick.
/sarcasm

[aka_tripleB]

"But don't read this as an admission that the Mac operating system is suddenly insecure"

Of course I won't; that statement would be false. Just because there are no exploits for flaws, doesn't mean there are no flaws. And if Apple said that the OS was all of a sudden insecure, they could be hit for deceptful practices and get hard with lawsuits. By the way, I never thought Macs were unhackable, but that's not why I don't use Apple, I like Media Center.

[randysig]

I recommend AVAST. AVAST is from Europe and no ties to MS.

AVAST now has a avast! Mac and Mac+PC Edition for all the Boot Camp users
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-antivirus-mac-edition.html

They also have the Mac only OSX version:
http://www.avast.com/eng/system-requirements-mac-edition.html

[johnqh]

Old article 4454

[brokenlaw]

Been using Macs for 10 years, never used any antivirus software on a Mac. To me a waste of resources. ClamAV is not bad good for running it once in a while but I still see no reason to worry about OSX. No real news.

[artistjoh]

I have had Mac's for several years now. During that time Apple has always had advice on their web site stating that all Mac users should install and use an anti virus program. If anyone ever phoned tech support and asked advice in the matter the official Apple line has been for several years now to install and use anti - virus. So what is different really other than a little publicity for it?

[DarkHawke]

<taunt>

It just has to be said:

BWAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

</taunt>

[cyclonica1980]

this put a smile on my face :)

[Penguinisto]

While you're laughing:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9121958

[Vegaman_Dan]

Penguinisto:

And while you are busy trying to spread FUD, how about telling us why you know so much more about this subject than Apple itself does? Apple put out the information years ago and has not removed it, only updated it instead. You, however, are calling them liars.

Why are you disputing Apple's own advice? What reasons do you have to say Apple is wrong?

[Penguinisto]

Heya Dan - please tell us where the FUD is in providing evidence as to why your fellow MSFT cheerleader may not want to laugh so loud...

While your PC-using brethren are getting pwned by astronomical numbers (as evidenced by said URL up there), the number of OSX botnet stories seem to be completely lacking, in spite of the fact that the majority of OSX users never bother with an A/V solution.

Maybe you can tell us why that is...

[D3vildog699]

Penguin - Because nobody cares about macs... its like asking why nobody yells at the skinny kid, loud mouthed, nerd... cause nobody cares about him. People have bigger fish to fry than a 9% market share... How many of the worlds servers are run on apple software? Pretty sure that battle goes to linux, and follows up with windows or similar... Your arguments mean nothing when the company gains 2% market share in like 6 years. Woo...

[Penguinisto]

So you're saying that millions upon millions of virgin machinery, which no one has yet touched, owned by folks not running A/V software, folks who likely would never know you would silently have use of their machinery, folks who arguably do have money (they bought a frickin' Mac after all)... you're saying these facts hold no interest to a criminal at all?

Are you mad?

Okay, well here's another question: OSX holds 9% of the market - so why aren't 9% of the viruses/botnets/what-have-you out there for it?

[Znatok]

Apple clear themselves on legal front and keep mac antivirus products alive.

The fact remains: no real threat on mac. However, there was couple proof of concepts, but ALL of them required user involvment and typing admin passwords to proceed.

Therefore the biggest threat to mac users is Terminal :-)

[AppleSuxLeo]

Xbox 360 outsells Sony PS3 3-to-1 on Black Friday
Where is THAT headline Cnet ???

[caxqueiroz]

Anti-virus, NO thanks!!

[cyclonica1980]

Guess apple cant user the "no virus on a mac" campaign anymore. Both Vista and OSX can get viruses but hey heres a common fact. You only get viruses if you go to the deepest darkest parts of the web. Maybe if your teens stayed away from all those porn sites you wouldn't have all those viruses and spyware. I have Vista and not once have I seen on virus. I also had a mac in the past not one virus either. The reason so few viruses were on a mac all these years is quite simple.. why make a virus for a computers that NO ONE USES!!! Now that Mac is getting more popular more and more hackers are dedicating time to cracking OSX and making viruses for it. Apple clearly sees this and is covering its own butt legally and covering its users with available options so that people who do get a virus apple can basically say, We warned you to get that 70.00 norton anti virus...

[someguynamedbob]

its kindof weard tho that mac hasn't had viruses yet cauze macs don't realy have any virus protction so you'll think macs would be a hot spot for viruses.

Have any of you folks tried clicking the Feedback link below...this THIS some sort of trojan site? LOL

I have to agree - this is a non article and when i try to send a feedback alert to CNET i get a f'd up pg. So long CNET, the last 12 years or so has been nice...too bad its more about promoting fear and Vista.
Best opf luck with your Dell's...peace.love.kc
BYE

[D3vildog699]

Dont let the door hit you on the way out

[ducttape36]

its stupid to think any operating system is secure. macs just arent as big a target as windows machines are. but to think apple writes perfect secure code, well just look at the iphone in the next few months. thats the biggest target for phone users now, and i guarantee hackers will find ways to break into it, if they havent already.

[mmntech]

Apple will eventually suffer from their own success just as Microsoft has. That was inevitable. The reason OS X has been more secure is because virus makers, script kiddies, and black hats have ignored it due to the low install base. The only way to be 100% secure on any system these days is to disconnect it from the internet entirely.

[dragonbite]

Of course the positive spin on this, for Apple, is that now Apple is gaining a larger market share they are becoming a target for malware writers and they are being pro-active as Apple continues to make strides in the marketplace, unlike Linux.

I will, though, continue with Linux thank you very much.

[D3vildog699]

Intrepid ibex :)

[SEOAly]

Never, never, never install Norton ANYTHING onto a Mac. That is the best advice I can give any Mac user that is concerned with potential virus or malware issues that could impact a Mac user.

[ldpldp]

Recently, I loaded clamxav and searched my Mac. Found two trojan e-mails with no where to go on my mac and fortunately, I never forwarded the e-mails to anyone (almost everyone I know use a PC). My Mac is 2 1/2 years old so obviously I've been successful in NOT downloading virus infected stuff. I always screen my e-mails from my service providers site and only download e-mails I can totally trust it. We, the users, are the best weapon in protecting our systems. Unfortunately, there are millions of users who are clueless and ripe for picking by the bad guys (phishing scams, spyware, etc). Its nature's way of thinning the herd.

Logic suggests that someday, someone will create a destructive Mac virus just to show it can be done.

[crusadex]

Lol,Apples are extremely vulnerable.They purposefuly leave ports open for easier access to periphials.
But until the I AM BETTER THAN YOU systems for elitists and people who don't have a clue become more popular there probably won't be a big need for antivirus.Or will there:P
meh