MacBook Air - Virus Protection for my MacBook Air

jeffrey4670 · jeffrey4670 #1 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 03:41 PM

Hi, Today I have purchashed a MacBook Air. This is my first Mac and never used one before. This may seem stupid but do I need Virus protection & Firewall? Thanks, Jeff

cwa107 · cwa107 #2 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 03:45 PM

There is a built-in Firewall that works quite well for most users.

Presently, there are no known viruses in the wild for Mac OS X. That doesn't mean there never will be, but it's sure to make headline news once there is one, allowing you enough time to decide on an AV solution if you deem it necessary.

For now though, I wouldn't worry about it.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #3 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 03:46 PM

Give this thread a read. There is a lot of very good info there on your question.

The Official Mac AntiVirus and Firewall FAQ

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them. We will do our best!

jeffrey4670 · jeffrey4670 #4 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 04:01 PM

Thank you both for your replies to my post. Jeff

iguy · iguy #5 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 04:50 PM

Oddly enough in a best buy flyer in the mac section there was norton for mac. Strange...

cwa107 · cwa107 #6 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iguy

Oddly enough in a best buy flyer in the mac section there was norton for mac. Strange...

There are indeed several different AV products for OS X. From what I understand, they mostly scan for Windows viruses, to avoid inadvertently passing along a virus (that would be ineffective to OS X) onto a Windows user. IMO, the onus is on the user of a particular OS to protect themselves - particularly if that OS is known to be susceptible.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #7 (**permalink**)

06-19-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iguy

Oddly enough in a best buy flyer in the mac section there was norton for mac. Strange...

Why is that strange? Norton has been making AntiVirus products for Macs for years.

Remember, even though there are not really any Virus's in the wild for OSX as yet, you can download files with Windows Virus's and pass them on to Windows users and infect them. That is what an Antivirus program on OSX can help protect you from. At least for the present.

MXMacGrl18 · MXMacGrl18 #8 (**permalink**)

06-27-2008, 03:28 AM

Awesome. I didn't even have to post a question. Found my answer. Thanx to the people that replied to the question about the virus protection for Mac.

cwa107 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,916 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	06-19-2008, 03:45 PM There is a built-in Firewall that works quite well for most users. Presently, there are no known viruses in the wild for Mac OS X. That doesn't mean there never will be, but it's sure to make headline news once there is one, allowing you enough time to decide on an AV solution if you deem it necessary. For now though, I wouldn't worry about it. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

iguy #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 26, 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 41 Mac Specs: none as of yet	06-19-2008, 04:50 PM Oddly enough in a best buy flyer in the mac section there was norton for mac. Strange... _____________________________________
	QUOTE Thanks

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MacBook Air - Virus Protection for my MacBook Air

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jeffrey4670 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 19, 2008 Location: Leeds - United Kingdom Posts: 7 Mac Specs: MacBook Air & iPhone	06-19-2008, 03:41 PM Hi, Today I have purchashed a MacBook Air. This is my first Mac and never used one before. This may seem stupid but do I need Virus protection & Firewall? Thanks, Jeff
	QUOTE Thanks

jeffrey4670 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 19, 2008 Location: Leeds - United Kingdom Posts: 7 Mac Specs: MacBook Air & iPhone	06-19-2008, 04:01 PM Thank you both for your replies to my post. Jeff
	QUOTE Thanks

MXMacGrl18 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 27, 2008 Location: A Mac house in Big Cypress, FL Posts: 12 Mac Specs: Mac Pro and Mac Book Pro 17"	06-27-2008, 03:28 AM Awesome. I didn't even have to post a question. Found my answer. Thanx to the people that replied to the question about the virus protection for Mac.
	QUOTE Thanks

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