Do I need anti virus software?

Jivejimmy · May 4, 2010

Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro. No one with physical access to the computer would have or could have sent them. Have I been hijacked? Any help would be appreciated.

harryb2448 · May 4, 2010

There are no MAC OS X viri. Having said that, if you are using Windows through BootCamp or some other program, the partition will need protection and the best free program available is Microsoft Security Essentials.

Safe internet browsing practices is the best defense.

Collin Bl · May 4, 2010

Currently i have been using the Mac for 7 years with no virii protection and never had a problem.
As Harry says - safe surfing does the trick.

toMACsh · May 4, 2010

Jivejimmy said:
Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro.

Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

maggen85 · May 5, 2010

toMACsh said:
Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

Agreed - it's highly unlikely that this is a virus, so I wouldn't be terribly worried.

DaFlake · May 5, 2010

Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

malicho · May 5, 2010

my computer gets that alert all the time when i accidentally press the E-mail Fax button on the front of my canon scanner.

blackmac11 · May 5, 2010

don't worry about viruses for the mac, and remember that you and you only are in control. Be smart about what sites you visit and what links you follow. If you can stay away from illegal torrents/scam sites, you'll be golden

toMACsh · May 6, 2010

DaFlake said:
Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

Um, assume you mean not likely at all.

However, the OP did not indicate if Windows is also installed....

DarkestRitual · May 6, 2010

Your computer isn't infected if you're running OS X. That's not to say someone hasn't hijacked your email account. Choose better passwords.

anonymous · May 8, 2010

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

That said, it sounds like your computer has become part of a botnet if it is sending stuff without you telling it to. What exactly is it sending?

Sawday · May 8, 2010

anonymous said:
Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

bobtomay · May 8, 2010

anonymous said:
Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

blackmac11 · May 8, 2010

And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

anonymous · May 8, 2010

Sawday said:
And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

bobtomay said:
I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

blackmac11 said:
And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

My bad. I meant this. Macs still have a lot more vulnerabilities at any one time than Windows has, typically and the fact that Mac users feel like they are invulnerable means that if you can get the right combination of social engineering and programming you can infect a Mac. Not that it really matters, because I doubt there are as many people who will put in the effort when they can put less effort for Windows. Still something to be aware of if you use a Mac that you should still practice common sense safe browsing habits.

Sawday · May 8, 2010

My comment stands. Still nothing about mac virus. Me thinks that either you are just putting the wind up people for a jolly jape or that you are very sad.

dtravis7 · May 8, 2010

anonymous said:
My bad. I meant this.

That is NOT a Virus. A Virus self installs and replicates. That is a trojan. There is one out there that I have seen so far. You have to actually run it and give it your admin password or it will do nothing.

I took an older G4 Powermac and downloaded that so called Virus (no a Trojan) and gave it my password. All it did was do a DNS Redirect. I opened the terminal and removed it in 20 seconds. The machine was as good as new after that.

toMACsh · May 8, 2010

anonymous said:
My bad. I meant this. Macs still have a lot more vulnerabilities at any one time than Windows has,

You didn't read that one very well either. Your second statement ^ is a hoot!

Snakedoctor · May 8, 2010

An article from 2007 and then an article from 2006... If you give me ten minutes I might be able to find one from 1934 that confirms this theory... O:)

Macs still have a lot more vulnerabilities at any one time than Windows has

Priceless....

osxx · May 8, 2010

Read on znet one time that posters from that camp will go to Mac Forums and stir the
FUD with virus on a Mac wonder if this is one of those times.