07-07-2007, 02:37 PM

Can anyone recommend a free anti spyware and anti virus software? For OSX 10.3.9

07-07-2007, 02:39 PM

Virus... pfeh. But if you intend to use your mac as server or just for fun well:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15850 ClamX

07-07-2007, 02:50 PM

There are currently no viruses for Mac OS X. I'm also not aware of any executable spyware (other than tracking cookies, which some might consider to be an invasion of privacy - although these are easy to purge by deleting your cookies).

The AV products currently being sold for the Mac scan mostly for Windows viruses. Your Mac can't be infected with them, but it's possible for you to transmit them to Windows users if you're sharing files. My personal opinion on this is that if you're a responsible Windows user, you should be running your own AV product.

The other half of the AV equation is that Mac AV products will monitor for virus-like behavior and attempt to thwart it. Those measures are typically ineffective and tend to be more hassle (and performance loss) than they're worth. And as I've said many times in the past, the first OS X virus will be HUGE news. Chances are you'll hear about it long before there is any immediate threat to your machine. When that happens (and I'm sure it's just a question of "when", since that will be a huge trophy for the scumbag who writes the first one), I'll consider a lightweight AV product - until then, I highly recommend just doing regular system backups with a product like SuperDuper. If and when the unthinkable happens, you can always just format your hard drive and restore from backup.

Having a good backup strategy is very important regardless of your reasons for doing so. Especially seeing as how modern hard drives seem to have higher failure rates than in the past.

Just my $0.02.

08-16-2007, 03:41 PM

What if you've downloaded porn, and porno videos? Could get spyware?

08-16-2007, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by creative_mac

What if you've downloaded porn, and porno videos? Could get spyware?

There is no executable spyware for Macs, period.

You may have tracking cookies, but those are easily defeated by deleting cookies from your browser.

08-16-2007, 05:02 PM

If you really want to run an AV program, ClamX seems to be the best current one. It does not check for Mac viruses because there are none, but it does check for Windows viruses. This is a nice to do thing so you don't inadvertently pass the nasty's on to your Windows using friends.

Then again, there is a school of thought that says that if your Windows using friends are silly enough to not be using a good AV program, then they get what they deserve. I fully embrace this line of thinking.

08-16-2007, 05:54 PM

As the previous posters mentioned there is no known viruses for OS X . However chances that you get a one is still there. I would recommend you ClamxAV if you need a free solution(no real time scanning feature). If you can afford, try Intego products. They are probably the best for OS X.

08-16-2007, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by novicew

As the previous posters mentioned there is no known viruses for OS X . However chances that you get a one is still there. I would recommend you ClamxAV if you need a free solution. . . .

Clam doesn't look for Mac viruses, so there's no point in installing it.

08-16-2007, 06:17 PM

integro products are worth it, but expensive

08-16-2007, 06:32 PM

I'm sure some of you are tired of hearing this from me - but I believe strongly that anyone who doesn't proactively protect their Windows machine, deserves whatever they get.

Why should you pay the performance penalty to protect someone from their own ignorance?

That's like paying for your neighbor's home security system because you're worried that they don't lock their doors at night.

08-16-2007, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by cwa107

I'm sure some of you are tired of hearing this from me - but I believe strongly that anyone who doesn't proactively protect their Windows machine, deserves whatever they get.

I totally agree!

and...

Look both ways before crossing the street kids!!