External Hard Drive and Virus Control

OK, I just bought my first iMAc Friday night. I am getting used to it. The part that I really can not get a handle on is Virus, Maleware, etc. I have all of my music on an external hard-drive. Should I scan it before I hook into it or am i safe?

Take a look here first, and then we'll gladly answer any more questions you have.
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/sw...-official-antivirus-malware-firewall-faq.html

I read that but I guess that with all of the viruses and stuff that I had on my regular PC, its just kinda hard to get used to the fact that iMacs are pretty much immune to that stuff. Although it was one of my main reasons for getting an iMac, i just wanted to make sure I understood. Thats all. Is kinda like one of those internal battles in my brain and I just want to protect my investment.

I understand completely, but I wouldn't worry about those things if I was you.
I've been using Mac for 6+ years now and haven't had any virus/malware on my computer ever!

If you want to protect your investment, buy a backup drive and make regular backups (using Time Machine or whatever other method you prefer). Get AppleCare if you haven't already done so. Keep the software up-to-date. Don't pirate software (what few Mac malwares are out there almost all arrive via pirated software).

You're really much more at risk of falling for a phishing scam or getting tracked by a web ad than you are getting any malware. Common sense still rules the day.

andy.millard said:

I read that but I guess that with all of the viruses and stuff that I had on my regular PC, its just kinda hard to get used to the fact that iMacs are pretty much immune to that stuff.

Click to expand...

Immune is not the right word. Virus could be written for the Mac, none are out there in the wild, but at least one Trojan does exist online. The fact is none have been written that have been released or have harmed the community at large.

In the end though, you're pretty safe.

ok, thanks folks. I plan on getting another external hard drive soon. I appreciate you help.

And should there ever be a Mac OS X virus, the news will be trumpeted around the world by the victorious media so we will al be aware of it. Never ever give up your password to download anything!