Official antivirus, malware, and firewall FAQ

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Afraid to use my new iMac

So i came across this thread and thought this would be a good place to get some opinions.

I just bought an iMac and still in the 2 week return period. I am finding that I can't get it out of my head about the security on here. So much so that I am considering returning this and looking for another PC laptop. I am new to Mac and basically spent my whole life using windows. That being said. I am someone who doesn't know really much about the 'in's and out's' of computers in general. I have basically let the antivirus on my PCs shield me from anything on the net and warn me of anything funny looking. And basically until now I really have only had a few issues over the years.

My thing is, I feel like to get that same 'piece of mind' feeling (relative, I know) with a Mac you kind of have to know what you are doing and know operating systems?
All I have read is- stay away from this, don't do that, look for this, keep up with the news.
When I was on my PC, I had antivirus, and let that take care of everything. I was all over the net. I mean this is when I would get on I wouldn't worry about it. Like I said I really don't use computers much except for the basic- surfing and Microsoft office here and there. Honestly, I just love the look of a Mac.
Though I have read there are no viruses out there for Macs, there are a few Malwares and Trojans and more being produced as we speak? I have really worked myself up to thinking that some Malware is going to be secretly installed on my system and steal my identity.
I am pretty nervous to just go surf freely like I did with my PC and I feel like I must be in the know about Mac software, the internet, and updates to safely use it or fix anything that arises.

...So:) If this made any sense, what do you think?
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Afraid to use my new iMac

Deleted prior
 
Last edited:

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
My thing is, I feel like to get that same 'piece of mind' feeling (relative, I know) with a Mac you kind of have to know what you are doing and know operating systems?
Yes and no. Yes, you'll need to know the basics but that comes with time (like anything else in life). However, you don't need to know the inner workings of OS X to be safe.

I am pretty nervous to just go surf freely like I did with my PC and I feel like I must be in the know about Mac software, the internet, and updates to safely use it or fix anything that arises.
You shouldn't be surfing "freely" (I'm taking that to mean with impunity) regardless of what operating system you're using. Stick to reputable content on the internet and you'll be fine. If something asks for your password, don't provide it unless you know what it is. If something asks you to install a plug-in or additional content and it's something you're not familiar with, don't do it or ask us. This is no different than how Windows users browse the web (or should).
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Yes and no. Yes, you'll need to know the basics but that comes with time (like anything else in life). However, you don't need to know the inner workings of OS X to be safe.

You shouldn't be surfing "freely" (I'm taking that to mean with impunity) regardless of what operating system you're using. Stick to reputable content on the internet and you'll be fine. If something asks for your password, don't provide it unless you know what it is. If something asks you to install a plug-in or additional content and it's something you're not familiar with, don't do it or ask us. This is no different than how Windows users browse the web (or should).

What are Plugins?
What is the criteria for reputable websites?
I mean I can't say I haven't visited some porn sites like a lot of the world. But PC anitvirus caught anything there for the most part.
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
Plugins are pieces of software that are loaded by the browser during normal operations to handle content that the browser can't. For example, Adobe's Flash is a browser plugin.

Criteria for reputability? Common sense. It's hard to give you an perfect set of criteria that will apply in every circumstance. Use your judgment skills to determine whether or not something is reputable. If in doubt, do a quick Google search.

Staff note: I merged your threads. Please don't crosspost (post the same question in multiple places).
 
Last edited:

dtravis7


Retired Staff
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
30,133
Reaction score
703
Points
113
Location
Modesto, Ca.
Your Mac's Specs
MacMini M-1 MacOS Monterey, iMac 2010 27"Quad I7 , MBPLate2011, iPad Pro10.5", iPhoneSE
I am a Windows repair tech. I see every brand of AntiVirus installed and UP TO DATE yet sometimes 1000's of Malware on that said computer that the so called AntiVirus did not stop from infecting the systems.

I have been using OSX since 10.2 Jaguar and never once had an issue. I run no AntiVirus and go where I want to go on the net, thousands of sites a day. No porn though.

Most of the people who's windows systems on which I have to remove all that Malware do not surf porn either.
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
91
Reaction score
4
Points
8
So i came across this thread and thought this would be a good place to get some opinions.

I just bought an iMac and still in the 2 week return period. I am finding that I can't get it out of my head about the security on here. So much so that I am considering returning this and looking for another PC laptop.
Here is the deal: Macintosh OS X is secure enough that a single Trojan has Mac users writing posts in the tens of thousands on multiple Mac oriented forums, blogs and social networks, etc. For that matter, it is unique enough a situtation to have Windows fans writing tens of thousands of "gotcha" posts.

How many times do you see this level reaction to a new piece of Windows malware? This trojan is getting the attention levels you see because this is a very rare event: an actual piece of malware that has successfully penetrated Macintosh security in the wild.

Despite the level of excitement/concern over the Flashback trojan, Mac OS X still remains among the most secure operating systems available. There has yet to be an actual virus in the wild, and very few trojans. Plus, if you still feel the need for additional security, there are AV utilities made for Macintosh. After all, it was the AV software, and not Windows, which let you feel secure while operating a Windows PC. It certainly isn't the OS. ( Windows 7 vulnerable to 8 out of 10*viruses | Naked Security)

As for myself, using basic precautions on Macintosh computers has kept me malware free since before the internet, when malware was traded back and forth on floppy disks.
 
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
68
Reaction score
4
Points
8
Location
London U.K.
Your Mac's Specs
Mid 2010 27" 2.93GHz Intel Quad Core i7 iMac 12Gb Ram OS X 10.8.5 / 10.10
basic precautions on Macintosh computers has kept me malware free since before the internet

That about sums it up really. Stay away from dodgy sites,software and the like.
Make sure your system has all the latest software updates from Apple.

Just be careful what you download and install and don't get sucked in by 'scare' reports about "os x has a virus/malware etc) and you'll have no worries.
Don't buy any AV software you see on an advert claiming to do this and that. AV companies love it when stories like "flashback" come out.

(If using Safari uncheck 'Open "safe" files after downloading')

Just use common sense.
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
(If using Safari uncheck 'Open "safe" files after downloading')
I wanted to make that a little larger to emphasize it. ;)

The open safe files security hole (I can't call it a feature) was a terrible design decision. If you're using Safari, unchecking it should be the next thing you do.
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
2,963
Reaction score
120
Points
63
Location
Belgium
Your Mac's Specs
iPad Pro 12.9 latest iOS
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Messages
726
Reaction score
28
Points
28
Location
London, Londonshire, England.
Your Mac's Specs
13" Late 2011 MBP,iPad '3' 32gb,iPhone4 32gb

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
Could be a complete coincidence, and I'm probably playing Devil's Advocate, but if you look at the graphic that was included in the Sky News article, there's no mention of Russia (or China for that matter)...:Mischievous:
Well, if I did the math correctly, the countries there account for 98.5% of the infections. So, even if you do include China and Russia, they would be responsible for no greater than 1.5% of the infections.

(Go Canada! Silver medal! :p)
 
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
2,963
Reaction score
120
Points
63
Location
Belgium
Your Mac's Specs
iPad Pro 12.9 latest iOS
... (Go Canada! Silver medal! :p)

I was thinking along those lines looking at Belgium.... our neighbors are all on the list, so we are very fortunate to be ringfenced, almost like a wall ..... a f***wall :p

Sorry ... couldn't resist.

Cheers ... McBie
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I wanted to make that a little larger to emphasize it. ;)

The open safe files security hole (I can't call it a feature) was a terrible design decision. If you're using Safari, unchecking it should be the next thing you do.


;D Thanks just did that. Anything else I need to do in internet preferences or system preferences for that matter?


The paranoia is getting to me and I am looking into getting Intego X6 software.
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
Don't be paranoid - that's unproductive and will make your experience considerably less enjoyable. Exercise vigilance and heed the advice & warnings that you get from the Mac community as a whole. Combine that with some common sense when browsing the web and you should be fine.

As for anything else to do, you might want to disable Java (unless you need it for something you do on a regular basis). You can do that by going to Safari > Security (don't confuse Java with Javascript - they are two very different things). If you use multiple browsers, you can disable the plugin system wide by going to /Applications/Utilities/Java Preferences.app and unchecking "Enable applet plug-in and Web Start applications."

I suggest this since Java is not only largely irrelevant on the client side these days but Apple seems to care little about Java. In this instance, a patch was released for the exploit used here back in February (source) but Apple only patched it when the trojan started taking advantage of Apple's lack of concern for patching Java with any speed (this goes back to what I was saying earlier in this thread about Apple's sometimes problematic lack of concern for patching products with any speed). I really wish Oracle would speed up the process of regaining control over the Java releases.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
As for anything else to do, you might want to disable Java (unless you need it for something you do on a regular basis). You can do that by going to Safari > Security (don't confuse Java with Javascript - they are two very different things). If you use multiple browsers, you can disable the plugin system wide by going to /Applications/Utilities/Java Preferences.app and unchecking "Enable applet plug-in and Web Start applications."

When I click on Java Preferences it says I need a Java runtime, Install now? What is this?
 

vansmith

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
19,924
Reaction score
559
Points
113
Location
Queensland
Your Mac's Specs
Mini (2014, 2018, 2020), MBA (2020), iPad Pro (2018), iPhone 13 Pro Max, Watch (S6)
If it says you don't have a Java runtime installed, you won't have this problem. It's hard for something to affect you if you don't have it. ;)
 
Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
If it says you don't have a Java runtime installed, you won't have this problem. It's hard for something to affect you if you don't have it. ;)

Got it... Step away from the install now button haha
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top