online virus scan?

I am not running any virus software and I was just wondering if there is an online virus scanner like trendmicro for PC's. I know I am supposed to be immune now with Mac OSX, but it's nice to trust but verify.

I really didn't want to install ClamAV or any other virus software.

There aren't any on line scanners that are for the Mac. And the reason that is, is because there aren't any viruses in the wild than can infect a Mac.

Use ClamAV if you're worried about verifying your system is clean. You can always uninstall it after it completes its scan.

Don't bother ceejay. Have a read of this, still topical as there are no Mac OS X viruses. All AV software runs on Windows virus definitions and the .exe file of a virus cannot run on OS X.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10331147-263.html?tag=mfiredir

Safe and careful online practices is the best solution.

For those concerned about their Mac, you can also read the first 2 paragraphs of the Clamxav home page where they will also tell you there are no viruses in the wild that can affect OS X and will provide you with the only real reasons for running a virus scan.

Yes to look after Windows users lol!

That is why all the Mac AV software dealers can only distribute Windows Virus Definitions with their updates.

Thanks all for your replies.

I have been told and read that viruses are not a concern for Mac users, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to run a quick and dirty scan every now and again just to make sure. I was gravitating toward an online scanner probably because I am still thinking like a Windows user and concerned about gunking up my system with excess software.

If I install ClamAv and then uninstall, I guess there are no registry entries to worry about and it is just gone with no adverse effects on system performance after deleted, right? I am still getting used to this idea!

Given that Macs don't have a registry, there won't be any registry entries.

You'll find the Mac "registry" right next to all those Mac viruses, ie nowhere.

Let go of your Windows thinking and embrace the light side.

I'll testify that the mere act of installing apps does not slow OS X down significantly the way it does in Windows. There really is no downside to experimenting with all the apps you would like to.

The first couple of years with my Mac, I installed and removed well over 200 apps a year. I have over 120 apps currently installed on this machine. My boot time after a clean install of Snow Leopard the first week after it was released was 28 seconds. My current boot time - 32 seconds.

For the most part, apps do not write anything into the system folders with OS X, so there is nothing added there to slow down the OS. You are now free to test out all the software you want, without the worry of it gunking up the gears of your OS.

The one thing to remember with removing the ones you test and decide you don't want to keep... if it had an installer, run it's uninstaller when you remove it. All of the ones (which are most of them) that are drag and drop into your Applications folder, you are good just dragging them to the trash. They leave nothing behind that is going to slow down your system.

My wife's Mac, now over 3 years old, has not had a clean install since it was brought home. It has gone through the upgrade process without a clean install from Tiger to Leopard to Snow Leopard. Hers still boots in just under 30 seconds and I can see no appreciable slow down. Show me a 3+ year old Windows machine that's been upgraded from XP to Vista to 7 that can boot in under 2-3 minutes and I'll give that man a cigar.

I'll also note here for the other new Mac owners reading this, I came to my first Mac as one of those hardcore hardware enthusiasts, building my own custom overclocked top of the line gaming rig once every year or so, reinstall Windows every 6 months, BlackViper was one of my favorite sites... You get the idea.

There really is no downside testing out all the software you would like. No more of that reading reviews to find the best one out there before you make a choice on which one you're going to get. It's freeware or shareware or has a free trial... download and install all you want.

Be happy... And free.

Bull%*$#

chscag said:

There aren't any on line scanners that are for the Mac. And the reason that is, is because there aren't any viruses in the wild than can infect a Mac.
...

Click to expand...

That is B.S. You should do some research. They are not as popular, and not as easy to write, but there are many Antivirus companies with many AV signatures for Mac OS now.

Of the top AV vendors, most have a Free Download version for Mac OS which you can download and run.

ceejay said:

I have been told and read that viruses are not a concern for Mac users, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to run a quick and dirty scan every now and again just to make sure.

Click to expand...

Well, it would be a quick and clean scan, but if it will make you feel better, go ahead.

To perhaps ease your mind a little: I've been using OSX for over 3-1/2 years now (not a early adopter!) and have never run a virus scan. No need.

Many member ask the question about viruses and malware on the Mac and in addition to using the search function at the top of the forum, you'll find almost all your answers here:

Official Antivirus, Malware, and Firewall FAQ

CallItTrue said:

That is B.S. You should do some research. They are not as popular, and not as easy to write, but there are many Antivirus companies with many AV signatures for Mac OS now.

Of the top AV vendors, most have a Free Download version for Mac OS which you can download and run.

Click to expand...

Can you please name an OS virus?

I run Kaspersky 2011 (Kasmac) on my i7 only for the fact that my Bank, Barclays, wont allow me to log into my account if I don't have it. The only good thing about it is they give every member using their on-line banking service the software for free.

Apart from that I wouldn't use an antivirus at all.

CallItTrue said:

That is B.S. You should do some research.

Click to expand...

No, YOU should do some research. Start here:

ClamXav

There are NO -- as in ZERO -- Mac viruses. The end.

Gandalph said:

I run Kaspersky 2011 (Kasmac) on my i7 only for the fact that my Bank, Barclays, wont allow me to log into my account if I don't have it. The only good thing about it is they give every member using their on-line banking service the software for free.

Apart from that I wouldn't use an antivirus at all.

Click to expand...

Really? I bank with Barclays - & Live in Devon...

I can use the online banking on my imac without any virus software installed?

Is this new?

TGITC said:

Really? I bank with Barclays - & Live in Devon...

I can use the online banking on my imac without any virus software installed?

Is this new?

Click to expand...

How would Barclays know?

Sawday said:

How would Barclays know?

Click to expand...

Thats what I wondered, yet he says Barclays provided the software for for free?

Perhaps is a scottish thing?

TGITC said:

Thats what I wondered, yet he says Barclays provided the software for for free?

Perhaps is a scottish thing?

Click to expand...

It's one thing giving it out for free but another to actually use it.

Well, that's been Barclays policy with all it's customers here in Bonny Scotland.

As for the how would they know. I quite agree with that statement. They wouldn't have a clue weather I was running it or not. I've even tried turning it off and logging in and had no problems whatsoever. At the heart of things I don't know why they bother. It's probably a promotional thing they have going with Kaspersky.

As far as the 'Wont let me log-in without running it' bit, I think they are just trying to protect customer interests.