new mac user question

I have been using pc's my whole life and i just got my imac g5.
I am scared to download stuff on my mac b\c when i download things on my pc i always get viruses. I dont want my mac to start to slow down at all so is it bad to download stuff or should i not be worried about it.
sorry if this seems stupid i just need reassurance i love how computers are when they are brand new and i want to keep my mac like that.
Thanks for any replies.

As long as you download from reputable sources (like versiontracker, mac-update etc...) you'll be fine. Well, I guess you could download from pretty much anywhere and be fine. Just don't go to sites that are called things like "DestroyAllMacs" or "DieMacintoshUsers"

haha thanks!

i thought macs didn't currently have any known viruses?

JRV said:

i thought macs didn't currently have any known viruses?

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You are correct, Mac OS X has no viruses.

D3v1L80Y said:

You are correct, Mac OS X has no viruses.

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Of course some day they will, so use some common sense please. Don't open chain letters. Don't open email that is obviously spam or from someone you don't know. Don't visit obviously disreputable websites.

If your mac is networked with PCs install some antivirus software (not norton). Macs don't 'get' viruses, but they can carry and spread them to PCs.

Don't worry about normal downloads though. OSX is much more secure than windows right now. This is due to a combination of inherent security and relative obscurity.

Now go enjoy that new G5 iMac!!!