05-29-2010, 10:48 PM

I am running my imac without a virus protection program. I know there has never been a virus on a mac. But, what about worms, trojans, spyware, etc? What program do you use to deal with this stuff?? How do you clean your machine of unwanted cookies, history, etc??

05-29-2010, 11:24 PM

No no no is the simple answer.

Steer clear of pirate, porn and other dodgy sites and never ever agree to having a codec installed.

To clear cookies etc go into your browser preferences and look under advanced, privacy and security etc. If you provide the actual browser can help further.

05-30-2010, 12:03 AM

I never go to any of those sites. My browser is Safari 4.0.3.

05-30-2010, 01:11 AM

Fine go into Safari in the Menu Bar, and choose Empty Cache, Also Reset Safari and Block Pop Up Windows, go into Preferences > Security and choose what you wish to do with cookies and if you are running Leopard or Snow Leopard, updated to version 4.0.5.

You can also use Firewall in System Preferences under Security, enable, go into Advanced and select Enable Stealth Mode.

05-30-2010, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by olderandwiser

I am running my imac without a virus protection program. I know there has never been a virus on a mac. But, what about worms, trojans, spyware, etc? What program do you use to deal with this stuff?? How do you clean your machine of unwanted cookies, history, etc??

There are viruses for mac. There are just not common. I am guessing it is because macs are not that popular and because it is harder/requires more skill to write malicious programs for unix-based operating system.

There are actually anti-virus for os x. I tried Norton but did not quite like it.
Have one at the moment (cant be bothered to look at the name) but it got a bit too invasive; so I disabled it.

05-30-2010, 01:39 AM

Can you name one actual VIRUS in the wild for OSX and show it to me? Not the DNS Changer Trojan please. A Trojan does not replicate nor self install.

And yes, there are many so called Anti Virus applications for OSX and they find Windows virus's. A Windows virus will not run or install in OSX. OSX has no registry or DLLs.

05-30-2010, 01:55 AM

LOL there are no virii for Mac OS X period. Another one who makes these claims and cannot back them up. As for the name - there is none.

As dtravis7 points out AV software programs ONLY download and run Windows virusa definitions. Why is this? Simple there are no Mac OS X virus definition from Nortons or anyone else.

AV software will bloat and slow your Mac down.

05-30-2010, 08:16 AM

Hah, another one that's bought into the line from the peddlers.

05-30-2010, 11:20 AM

Thanks harryb3448, that is exactly what I need to know. Have a great day!

05-30-2010, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by yan03

There are viruses for mac. There are just not common. I am guessing it is because macs are not that popular and because it is harder/requires more skill to write malicious programs for unix-based operating system.

Wrong. There are no viruses in the wild for Mac OS X at the present. There are two trojans, both of which are easily avoided with a modicum of common sense.

'Security through obscurity' has been proven to be a myth time and time again. If it were true, there would be no viruses for much smaller niche platforms that are even smaller than OS X. And that's not the case. I could go further, but the proof is in the pudding. OS X, and it's foundation, FreeBSD (Darwin) have been around for decades and there has never been a true virus.

There are actually anti-virus for os x. I tried Norton but did not quite like it.
Have one at the moment (cant be bothered to look at the name) but it got a bit too invasive; so I disabled it.

Yes, and they search for Windows viruses to protect other people who should be protecting themselves. And for that bit of generosity on your part, you get the privilege of paying Symantec $50+ on a regular basis and derive ZERO benefit from it. Not to mention that Norton/McAfee/Intego/ESET and the myriad of other AV scareware products are known to be highly problematic and result in severe performance and compatibility issues.

Even if you want to be proactive, chances are that if and when a virus actually does arrive for OS X, these products won't be up to date quick enough to deal with it since the vendors spend all of their time trying to stave off Windows viruses. Chances are you'll know about the virus in time to take appropriate precautions long before these vendors actually get an appropriate definition together to deal with it.

So, long story made short, you don't need an AV product at the moment. If you feel really paranoid, you can download the free ClamXAV and run periodic scans with it.

05-30-2010, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Steer clear of pirate, porn and other dodgy sites and never ever agree to having a codec installed.

I frequent all of those kinds of places and have never had an issue on a Mac.

I don't install Codecs though.

05-30-2010, 07:43 PM

I feel better after reading all of your replies. I will just use common sense and clean my system sometimes of cookies and history and such. I am beginning to love my mac!

05-30-2010, 08:12 PM

It's been one of the great things of Mac-hood for the past 6 months....no AV to deal with. It's a pain in and of itself....I'm reminded every time I get on my wife's PC to (usually) try to fix something. She's getting a mac for our anniversary whether she wants one or not!

05-30-2010, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by baggss

I frequent all of those kinds of places and have never had an issue on a Mac.

I don't install Codecs though.

AAHHH yes , the refreshing honesty of a mature American male ! +1 for my man baggss....

Clay

05-31-2010, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by olderandwiser

I am running my imac without a virus protection program. I know there has never been a virus on a mac. But, what about worms, trojans, spyware, etc? What program do you use to deal with this stuff?? How do you clean your machine of unwanted cookies, history, etc??

I recently bought my first Mac and like you, I was wondering about the need to install anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware software. I installed PC-Tools iAnti-Virus, but then uninstalled it after reading the replies in this thread below which you might find useful:

Internet Security for iMAC 27?