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.

[ittesi259]

Ya know, its been a while since I've seen a virus spread on any OS by getting through a hole on its own, without the requirement of stupid user interaction. Yes, I do have AV software on my Mac, mainly to filter out the Windows viruses people send me in their files that I don't want on my network....but lets face it....people who follow sound practices are immune in and of themselves to these viruses that require social engineering. And with my Mac if all of a sudden I'm asked for my password to install a program that I didn't do intentionally, I say no.

[lazarbel]

I suppose I'm paranoid, but I have always protect my Mac in every way possible. Never bought into the 'safe Mac' sales ploy used back when the Mac footprint was infinitesimal. It wasn't true then and certainly isn't today.

[ralfthedog]

Anti Virus software can be of no use on a Mac. AV software can't protect you from what it does not know. Heuristic scans can protect you from small changes in existing malware, but not from a new class. Some day a new virus may come out for the Mac, however no existing AV software will be able to protect you from it.

Your best bet is to run AV software on your mail server (If you don't run your own mail servers choose one that provides AV like Google.) This will stop you from forwarding viruses to Windows users.

[gibou]

I'm running both Mac and PC and I believe that the most dangerous virus sits between a screen and a keyboard.

[The_happy_switcher]

Are you referring to your cat?

[D3vildog699]

No he is talking about the ID10T error, your prolly familiar with it from the sounds of it...

[The_happy_switcher]

You have to be a very dumb Mac user to get a virus on OS X. On windows you could be Einstein and you will get tons.

[Brian]

I searched Apple's website and their support forum and there is NO such virus threat for the Mac.

Oh sure, there ARE annoying popups on certain web sites and spam through email, but viruses on the Mac?

Not likely.

[Brian]

I was unable to verify to accuracy of this article with Apple, so therefore -- there is no virus for the Mac.

[D3vildog699]

Enjoy your koolaid.. If Steve's Website says there isn't then there can't be!!

Stick to actual research genius.

[sclaflin]

OMG, some people can be vicious over MAC ver. Windows. What's up with that? I have both and let me tell you I love my I MAC much more than the Windows. Windows is so much more work that the MAC. Bottom line is all computers need to be protected. I find it just sickening that people out there have nothing better than time on their hands to create these viruses that destroy other peoples computers. You ask yourself why do they do this? Well, the answer is just because! Well, some of these viruses have purposes that are so sickening. I can never get the idea of the destruction and mayhem people cause. I will never join any of these sites like My Space, download sites (media) and all the chat sites. I would like to join these sites but I have seen the distruction they have caused to computers. These are so destructive and as I said there is no reason for this type of childish behavior and destruction. Thanks.

[D3vildog699]

You said Some form of Destruction 5 times in the same rant.. along with that you said mayhem which is the same thing just another way to say destruction.. you also spelt in at least two different ways.. and blamed Myspace and other "Chat" sites for viruses... its no wonder you love Macs more than windows.

[rjw_mpwr]

let's use common sense and logic. if you are a virus maker, who wants to create chose and wants to make the biggest impact, what os would you target? let's windows have over 90% of the market share, and how much market share mac has? common sense tells me. i would target windows. so, for those people who claims mac is immune from virus, wake up. just because no one has targeted it, does not mean mac is virus free. i don't believe there is a software that is 100% bug free. so, the important thing is to take measures to protect yourself, just in case.

personally, i hate mac. it think it is over-priced and proprietary. linux is hard to use as a desktop OS. so, i will stay with windows.
jw

[ddesy]

Still zero actual viruses for OS X, so there is nothing new here.

Any Macintosh anti-virus software will have to be completely heuristics based since you cannot have a definition for a nonexistent virus.

[D3vildog699]

There was one that would use ichat or whatever the Mac built in chat is called... but it was short lived, if i can get the link again i will post it.

I agree with what you say, but The *nix architecture will not stay safe forever its only a matter of time. This is just apple's way of saying "We told you to" and covering their company. Pretty smart if you ask me, not very customer loyal but this is apple we are talking about...

[sting7k]

I think it is rather idiodic to run any machine without some malware protection running and always watching. Mac, Windows, Linux, and what ever. It just isn't smart. People aren't just targeting your machine to mess it up anymore; they want to steal your data, passwords, accounts, identity, and what ever they can get their hands on. If they really want it they will do it, no matter what.

End of story is every computer NEEDS malware/anti-virus software to protect not just them but everyone else on the internet. If something gets out and starts hiding on machines owned by people who think they are immune they are putting everyone else at risk because at any time they could jump back out on the net and cause more problems.

Please, this isn't about what's better or what is more secure or what isn't. It's about being safe and taking every pre-caution to protect yourself. It's like riding in a car without a seat belt, your just asking to be paralyzed from the neck down. Get some malware protection now, every body.

[D3vildog699]

This is true, i use Webroot spysweeper, AV, and Firewall bundle.. this keeps me protected from all forms, i have had my identity stolen twice and my card three times. Ever since i got my Webroot no issues. Mac users will be surprised to find that they are just as vulnerable to hackers as a windows user.

[tsinger254]

It always cracks me up whenever a Windows user discusses a problem with their pc, there's always some mac idiot who responds: "Buy a mac".

[Vegaman_Dan]

And when it breaks, the only advice Apple gives is to... buy another Mac.

[D3vildog699]

@Dan - You speak truth my brutha

[compudoc318]

Heres an article showing a windows virus semi-infecting osx...
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/r21345620-Rogue-AntiVirus-2009-on-a-MacBook-Pro~start=20

[tipoo_]

Hi I'm a MAC and I'm a PC!!

MAC: Uhhhh PC
PC: What is it MAC
MAC: Well I've got this rash and it hurts when I pee.
PC: Oh thats a virus MAC, not to worry, I'm sure your anti-virus will get rid of it
MAC: My what?
PC: Don't you use protection MAC?
MAC: ???? Protection thats for PC's, I'm a MAC we don't get viruses!!!!
PC: Well you have one, and well your probably going to die from it.
MAC: BUT......
PC: Yep you ****** yourself around around without being safe and now look at you.
MAC: ........
PC: OH PC's are stuffy, Vista has annoying popups, BLA BLA BLA..... I hope you suffer!
MAC: Can't you help me PC!!! I'll be better I swear!
PC: Well I guess I could ask my DAD Bill gates, If he could pay for a doctor visit.
MAC: REALLY! Wow that's swell PC!! I love you PC.
PC: I love you to MAC.

The End

[AppleSuxLeo]

Steve Jobs IS a virus.

[D3vildog699]

Amen

[wmyinzer]

lmao

[AppleProLeo]

@compudoc318

Please stop spreading rubbish. It's a Windows virus effecting Windows not a Mac. Don't comment on something you obviously have no clue about.

[D3vildog699]

Take your own advice...

[compudoc318]

apple did you read the article???? its on osx, or can you read. "dont comment on something i have no clue about"...what are your certs and degrees huh?????????

[rsuppes]

I have been running Vista Ultimate now for over 7 months and have not once installed a virus scan. I do however let windows update run free. I had my relative come over and later that night I had pops and ads all over the place. I looked at the history and WOW, he went some crazy places. So, i believe it has a lot to do with where you go and what you do. I installed malwarebytes and ran it. It found 16 infections and removed them, now I am good. I am a PC lover, however I am not going to bash Macs. I just think that both are vulnerable and people need towatch what they do and where they go.

[rsuppes]

Hey, Penguinisto, there are botnets that affect osx computers, however you are thinking oldschool. They are running on top the OS exploiting PHP Flaws. So in essence it does hinder the osx operating system and infect it.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2006/03/when_macs_attack.html

[Penguinisto]

I saw that article - the researchers gave no specifics and originally claimed it was OSX, then fell back to "PHP applications" (which is plausible) when they were pressed for details. From 2006, I believe.

[xbrando7]

I think that Apple is getting paranoid. In my experience with Macs, i've never ever had to deal with viruses, both with personal and work Macs. Some people say that as the Mac audience grows more security threats will be made, but I disagree. Mac's were built for security, and so far they have stuck to their reputation. Also, even if my Mac could get viruses, I would probably still like it better than any Windows computer.

[D3vildog699]

Personal preference doesn't have anything to do with the fact that someone will eventually make a virus to show that it can be done... Mac's weren't "built for security" they are computers.. The core of the OS is just harder to write viruses for...

[wmyinzer]

Once again, we have the Mac fanboys coming to defend the only life they have: staring at a Mac screen.

Penguinisto thinks hes a superhero and AppleSuxLeo thinks hes better than the rest of us.

Fact is, in today's world, Windows, OSX, and Linux distributions are all equally vulnerable to infections. Every OS should use a form of antivirus and firewall. There nay not be as long of a list of viruses that can infect OSX or Linux machines, but without an antivirus or firewall an amateur hacker can hijack your system and take valuable info.

Window's is no the swiss cheese it used to be and OSX isn't the tank it used to be. Windows has taken massive strides to make it powerful player in native security, and OSX has entered the mainstream ill-prepared to deal with the security challenges Windows has been dealing with for years.

'nuff said.

[Penguinisto]

1) superheros? Nah - I look ugly in tights.

2) "equally"? Funny that... practical counts show a handful of convoluted trojans for OSX that may or may not work, versus what, hundreds of thousands of active malware for Windows?

3) firewalls are a given. No one said anything about firewalls up in here. ;)

[EB1158]

I am by no means a Microsoft lover, and I use mac computers all the time and have no problems with the OS. But it is most definitely not as secure as other OS's. The reason Microsoft is so virus prone is because taking down the huge corporation that is Microsoft is equivalent to blowing up the death star to hackers. Why attack other OS's like OS X when far more people use Microsoft's operating systems, and will, in turn, be affected by the viruses? Not to mention that I remember reading an article here on CNET about a hacking competition where Vista, OS X, and Unix where put through there paces. And if i remember right, OS X was hacked on the first day of one of the areas of competition, where as Unix wasn't hacked until much later, and Vista wasn't hacked until the final day of competition. I'm not saying OS X is a bad OS, it is just not as secure as other operating systems. And I'm glad to see that Apple is issuing this suggestion, no matter when they did it. It shows that they care about there customers and don't want there computers to be infected with damaging viruses.