Spyware and Macs

Is it true that macs don't have to worry about spyware?

yep..

trpnmonkey41 said:

yep..

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so I can get Limewire and not have to worry about spyware, viruses, or AIDS? How? Apple is amazing.

All of the above are written to exploit or take advantage of the Windows Operating System. Because the Mac platform is not based on Windows, it's based on UNIX, the afflictions mentioned will not hurt the system.

baggss said:

All of the above are written to exploit or take advantage of the Windows Operating System. Because the Mac platform is not based on Windows, it's based on UNIX, the afflictions mentioned will not hurt the system.

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That just about covers it from the Mac standpoint, but do your Windows-use buddies a favor and download ClamXav, especially if you're planning to use Limewire or other stuff that's prone to come with spyware and viruses. Your Mac can't get infected by that stuff, but you could theoretically pass it on to your Windows friends if you send them an infected file. So as a favor to them, you might still want to scan your incoming and outgoing files. www.clamxav.com

jn4jenny said:

That just about covers it from the Mac standpoint, but do your Windows-use buddies a favor and download ClamXav, especially if you're planning to use Limewire or other stuff that's prone to come with spyware and viruses. Your Mac can't get infected by that stuff, but you could theoretically pass it on to your Windows friends if you send them an infected file. So as a favor to them, you might still want to scan your incoming and outgoing files. www.clamxav.com

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Sounds good to me, I keep forgetting about my Winderz buddies. Thanks for the reminder.

That's about the only reason I keep Norton Installed and somewhat up to date on my Mac.

baggss said:

That's about the only reason I keep Norton Installed and somewhat up to date on my Mac.

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Quoted article from: MacFixIt

"Highly critical" Flaw in discovered in Symantec AntiVirus

Secure OS X reports on a "highly critical" flaw that has been discovered in Symantec's AntiVirus software for Mac OS X.

The vulnerability occurs when AntiVirus is decompressing files compressed in the RAR format for scanning. When AntiVirus is performing this operation, it is susceptible to to multiple heap overflows allowing attackers complete control of the system(s) being protected.

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Sometimes the antivirus software does the opposite of what it claims!


Pierre

Another reason to stay away from RAR files....

Actually, mine is set up to only scan my e-mail...

no RAR files are great! its another reason to stay away from Symantec and the rubbish they make

I've had little luck working with RAR files as of late, so I am not very impressed with them.....

if you go into the Apple store, all the Mac Geninus' and the sales people all DONT recommend buying Antivirus, cause of mac OS being so secure and non-effective. So another reason why Macs are Da BOMBBB

I'm another long time PC/Windows user that will be joining the Mac Family with a new Intel Based iMac. I think it's probably more accurate to say that MacOS, Linux, Unix, etc. are "Less Prone" to viruses, spyware and the like, than that they are immune to them. I don't agree with that statement. The slimeballs that write that crap, do it on Windows for a few reasons

1) There's a lot of windows systems out there
2) Windows has more holes than a screen door from a security standpoint
3) There's a ton of info and tools for writing software for windows, and it's pretty easy to write something that can do damage. It's not so easy for the "Script Kiddies" to do stuff on Linux/Unix, you have to actually know what you are doing and have the proper tools. I'm assuming MacOS programming is probably just as hard to program since it's based on Unix.

MacOS, Linux/Unix have enjoyed a world relatively free from all that junk because these OS's have not been in the spotlight like Windows has.

Remember, these scumbags that write this stuff, get their jollies harming others and want to see their handywork in the news, or in the case of Spyware, they want to sell their creations to advertisers that have no sense of ethics or decency.

As long as a computer can be programmed, there is always risk. I'm thrilled that much of this crap doesn't happen on the Macs right now, I just hope that it stays that way.

My assumption is, that it would never get out of hand on the MacOS or Linux...I hope I'm right about that.