Is anti virus software really needed for a Mac?

globalharvester · globalharvester #1 (**permalink**)

02-09-2010, 06:47 PM

Hi,

When I switched to a mac from a pc almost 4 years ago (which I can't believe it took so long for me to switch!), I was told at the apple store that I did not need any anti virus software. I was just on apple's web site and I noticed that there was a "staff pick" for an anti-virus software.

Has there been a shift in the "force" and now macs need this software?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this for me!

clayneal · clayneal #2 (**permalink**)

02-09-2010, 06:49 PM

nope your still fine. The only people that want to to put AV on your Mac are the makers of the AV.

Clay

bobtomay · bobtomay #3 (**permalink**)

02-09-2010, 06:49 PM

I'll wager none of the staff kept that pick on their machine after they finished testing.

chas_m · chas_m #4 (**permalink**)

02-09-2010, 08:13 PM

Another vote for "no, it's not" from me.

But if you feel paranoid and want to install an AV anyway, at least don't be a sucker -- just get/use ClamX AV.

But again, there's really no need.

Eric559 · Eric559 #5 (**permalink**)

02-09-2010, 08:21 PM

Nope.

More info: The Official Mac AntiVirus and Firewall FAQ

toMACsh · toMACsh #6 (**permalink**)

02-10-2010, 08:47 AM

Lots of threads on this here. Search would have turned up a bunch, all with the same answer. Heck, even Google would do that.

rocketman3 · rocketman3 #7 (**permalink**)

01-07-2012, 11:25 PM

I have VM ware installed on my MacBook Pro/Leopard and sometimes must run XP to use some on-line programs. I use a LinkSys router so there is a firewall. Should I install AV (avast) on the XP side. Or what is best?

osxx · osxx #8 (**permalink**)

01-07-2012, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman3

I have VM ware installed on my MacBook Pro/Leopard and sometimes must run XP to use some on-line programs. I use a LinkSys router so there is a firewall. Should I install AV (avast) on the XP side. Or what is best?

If you have SP3 use MSE it works without bogging the Windows side down.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #9 (**permalink**)

01-08-2012, 12:08 AM

Another vote for MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials).

chas_m · chas_m #10 (**permalink**)

01-08-2012, 05:30 AM

My (admittedly limited) testing of Avast on Windows machines shows it to be ineffectual. The only reason ANYONE really uses it is because its free (let's be honest).

Now that MSE is out I can't see any reason not to use that instead.

chscag · chscag #11 (**permalink**)

01-08-2012, 10:11 AM

I agree with chas. Avast and AVG both are ineffective and use more resources than they should. MSE is not 100% effective (no AV is) but it's free, updates automatically, and stays out of the way.

5altyFX · 5altyFX #12 (**permalink**)

01-08-2012, 12:00 PM

Yea just Protect ur XP side but there is currently no Need for an AV for Mac

clayneal #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 27, 2009 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2,146 Mac Specs: late 08 macbook 2.0 4gig 320hdd10.7.3 32 gig iPhone 4s	02-09-2010, 06:49 PM nope your still fine. The only people that want to to put AV on your Mac are the makers of the AV. Clay MY ADVICE COMES WITH A DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,818 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	02-09-2010, 08:13 PM Another vote for "no, it's not" from me. But if you feel paranoid and want to install an AV anyway, at least don't be a sucker -- just get/use ClamX AV. But again, there's really no need. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

Eric559 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 18, 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 3,185 Mac Specs: 2.16GHz C2D MacBook w/ 2GB RAM & 120GB HD. HTC Droid Incredible.	02-09-2010, 08:21 PM Nope. More info: The Official Mac AntiVirus and Firewall FAQ Member Of The Month for December '08. It's only the internet!
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,895 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	01-08-2012, 12:08 AM Another vote for MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,818 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	01-08-2012, 05:30 AM My (admittedly limited) testing of Avast on Windows machines shows it to be ineffectual. The only reason ANYONE really uses it is because its free (let's be honest). Now that MSE is out I can't see any reason not to use that instead. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

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globalharvester #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 02, 2009 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 6 Mac Specs: mac book pro 15" 2.4 Intel Core 2 duo	02-09-2010, 06:47 PM Hi, When I switched to a mac from a pc almost 4 years ago (which I can't believe it took so long for me to switch!), I was told at the apple store that I did not need any anti virus software. I was just on apple's web site and I noticed that there was a "staff pick" for an anti-virus software. Has there been a shift in the "force" and now macs need this software? Thanks for any light you can shed on this for me!
	QUOTE Thanks

toMACsh #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 30, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,862 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core 2 Duo	02-10-2010, 08:47 AM Lots of threads on this here. Search would have turned up a bunch, all with the same answer. Heck, even Google would do that.
	QUOTE Thanks

rocketman3 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 06, 2012 Location: mountain-lake area of NE Alabama Posts: 1	01-07-2012, 11:25 PM I have VM ware installed on my MacBook Pro/Leopard and sometimes must run XP to use some on-line programs. I use a LinkSys router so there is a firewall. Should I install AV (avast) on the XP side. Or what is best?
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,387 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	01-08-2012, 10:11 AM I agree with chas. Avast and AVG both are ineffective and use more resources than they should. MSE is not 100% effective (no AV is) but it's free, updates automatically, and stays out of the way. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

5altyFX #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 10, 2011 Posts: 26	01-08-2012, 12:00 PM Yea just Protect ur XP side but there is currently no Need for an AV for Mac __________________  iMac 27" 8GB RAM 2TB HDD
	QUOTE Thanks

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