Free antivirus for Mac

Raz0rEdge

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There is no need for anti-virus software for your Mac, but if you are absolutely looking for one I recommend ClamXav which is free and you can run only when you need to scan something as opposed to always running..
 
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chas_m

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There is a free and automatically-updated anti-malware system already installed in Snow Leopard and later. As there aren't any viruses for Mac, there's really no need to install an anti-virus. Stay off dodgy sites, don't pirate, and don't click on links embedded in emails and you'll be fine.
 
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Hi Chas_m many thanks for that I did not realise all that was already on the Mac.

If you are interested in more details, check HERE - also look at the other articles on this site for more information regarding malware.

In addition to the advice already given, go into System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General; see attached pic - make sure that your setting for downloading apps is set to the level desired (mine is at the red arrow, i.e. apps that are available in the store or have been approved by Apple). Dave :)
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Screen Shot 2014-07-30 at 11.09.00 AM.png
 
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Macs can get viruses. There's certainly fewer than our Windows counterparts but the risk is still there

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm

I use ClamavX and choose the downloads and Mail folder to scan in 'live mode' because it can detect Windows viruses/malware. I think it's always good to get rid of them before emailing a Windows user. Sophos AV for Mac is particularly good for this but, from my own experience, can occupy your CPU and memory more than ClamavX.


"Loving the OS X Yosemite bugs right now :p"
 
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Macs can get viruses. There's certainly fewer than our Windows counterparts but the risk is still there.

Yes, far fewer. Zero for OS X to date.

There's a lot of misinformation on the net.
 
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Charlie Miller (the legend) wrote a few nasty ones at Pwn2Own. My government department detected a few and reverse engineered them to make work more effectively. I wish I could upload the info but, as you can imagine, releasing confidential government data is a big no no.

http://www.howtogeek.com/76628/online-safety-who-says-macs-dont-get-viruses/


"Loving the OS X Yosemite bugs right now :p"
 
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What I can say is the virus, although low risk, was quite funny to see in action. In short, it erased removable devices i.e. USB pen drives when inserted. However, it was detected simply because the virus would not work on a user who had no admin rights. A message would ask for the user's password. On an admin's account, the virus would run an AppleScript from /Library that would erase the pen drive with a exFAT partition.


"Loving the OS X Yosemite bugs right now :p"
 
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There are no Mac OS X viruses Charlie Miller or anybody else. Avoid Sophos like the black death and follow Nick's post.
 
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chas_m

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It disturbs me that a guy like SparkyMac, who works for the government, does not know what a virus is. Hint: not malware.
 
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Definition: a piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.

How things work website: Computer viruses are small programs or scripts that can negatively affect the health of your computer. These malicious little programs can create files, move files, erase files, consume your computer's memory, and cause your computer not to function correctly.

I know the different thank you very much. My computer science degree sorted that out many years ago.

The virus had spreader itself by users accessing particular network drives. Like I said, I can't specifics but the whole story would have explained exactly how it worked and the affect it caused on the network, etc.


"Loving the OS X Yosemite bugs right now :p"
 
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chas_m

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And yet, you cannot provide any evidence to back up your assertion that there are Mac "viruses" -- that nobody but you has ever encountered. Interesting.

Tell you what, I have no interest in arguing. Send your viruses to [email protected] so I can see them for myself. If you're right, I have more than enough contacts in the media that would be interested in the article I'll write as a result.
 
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It disturbs me that a guy like SparkyMac, who works for the government, does not know what a virus is. Hint: not malware.

Okay, this type of comment has come up before and I am confused. I thought malware included viruses as well as trojans, bots, anything that is created havoc in a computer.

Malware Definition

So what am I missing?

Lisa
 

chscag

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So what am I missing?

Nothing. According to the official definition, malware includes viruses. Member chas_m was referring to the kind of malware that self replicates - as in virus, of which there are currently none in the wild that can infect OS X.
 

cwa107


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However, it was detected simply because the virus would not work on a user who had no admin rights. A message would ask for the user's password.

This is the beauty of discretionary access control, which has been a *nix staple for decades and is one of the reasons why there are no viruses in the wild for OS X and also why OS X is so much more resistant to malware in general, in comparison to Windows.

I'll agree that the assertion "Macs can't get viruses" is false. "Can't" implies that it is beyond the realm of possibility. I don't personally believe that. I'll also agree that some form of anti-malware solution is warranted, but then, there is one baked into the OS already.

That said, malware that is stopped in its tracks by DAC is not a virus. It can't self-replicate without user-intervention, which is one of the hallmarks of a true virus.

More info on DAC is available here, including one of my favorite Digg comments of all time.
 
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cwa107


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Okay, this type of comment has come up before and I am confused. I thought malware included viruses as well as trojans, bots, anything that is created havoc in a computer.

Malware Definition

So what am I missing?

Lisa

A virus is a self-replicating, destructive piece of software. The term "malware" is a broad classification of software, simply meaning software that does something that could be construed as malicious in nature. A virus is malware, but not all malware is a virus.

For some reason, we Mac users love to play on semantics - which is annoying, when for all practical purposes, a well-written piece of adware/scareware/scamware (or any other kind of malware, aside from a virus) can be every bit as destructive as a true virus. That said, viruses, even on Windows, are pretty rare these days as it's much easier (and often more profitable for a criminal enterprise) to scam people than it is to damage their data or system.
 

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