Antivirus Poll -Newbie Wants to Know

With all the recent attention on Mac malware, I have been debating with a good friend whether or not to install an antivirus on my Macbook. He says he is absolutely not doing it because he feels the risk is negligible. I have been reading through all the posts here and its apparent people have many opinions on this subject. I'm interested in seeing the number of people who are going to install an antivirus compared to those who are not.

I would suspect that most of those who use AV on this forum do it as protection against passing on viruses to Windows machines they share files and email with.

I use MSE on my Windows 7 laptop.
I don't use any AV on my MBP or my Linux laptop.
I use a firewall on all and go straight to the mfg for all updates.

Anti virus on Mac

Don't have it, won't use it until there are more threats. Van

Hi,

Will not use any AV on my Mac, and from SL up you are protected. Apple has enhanced its File Quarantine to also check files against known malware, from a list of malware definitions in System/Library/Core services/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.plist.

Apple update this via the Software Updater, but you do not see it.

No viruses for Mac OS X so no antivirus software.

For Windows 7 via Bootcamp as stated Microsoft Security Essentials, a top free program.

I have Sophos Anti-Virus on my Mac and occasionally it does flag up a file. They all seem to be Windows problems but as Sophos is free, seems to work, does not seem to have any effect on my system, is there "just in case" and stops me sending dodgy stuff to Windows users, it seems silly not to have it.

The fact that there have been no problems in the past does not mean there will not be in the future and I don't get a buzz from telling my friends "I don't need AV, I have a Mac"

I think the poll result speaks for itself.

justme123 said:

With all the recent attention on Mac malware, I have been debating with a good friend whether or not to install an antivirus on my Macbook. He says he is absolutely not doing it because he feels the risk is negligible. I have been reading through all the posts here and its apparent people have many opinions on this subject. I'm interested in seeing the number of people who are going to install an antivirus compared to those who are not.

Click to expand...

Please don't post polls like this. You can find the answers you're looking for by reading our Virus thread that's at the top of this forum. LINK

Especially take note of the last reply by member Randy Singer.

No AV here..

I have ClamXav installed but not running in case I want to check for a Winderz virus. I run it when I feel the need. Otherwise nothing here. Just a note, it's never found a thing so far either!

On the other hand, on my Windows 7 and XP rigs, Microsoft Security Essentials all the way. Free and not a resource hog.

Other - I have ClamXav installed and keep the application and definitions updated. I run it manually on occasion, usually when the media gets all excited about a new "virus". I feel fine not having it run in the background. I don't click on stupid things nor have needless things (like Java, auto-disk mounting, etc...) enabled. To each their own - I don't feel strongly about other peoples preferences.

Like dtravis7 and XJ-linux I have ClamXav installed but don't use it all the time. It has never found anything on my computer.