Do Macs Get Viruses? Anti-Virus for OS X?
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Michael sent me a video question via YouTube. He just bought his first Mac, and wonders if he needs an AntiVirus, and if so… what should he use? In short, the answer is YES!
It doesn’t matter what Operating System you use, it’s just plain smart to use an Anti-Virus program, and a Firewall. Yes… even for a Mac, people. Even though there may currently not be many exploits with OS X, that doesn’t mean there will never be. It doesn’t mean you are 100% safe. You need to be smart, and protect yourself.
I recommend Clam X AV for a Mac. It’s an open-source application. They also have a Windows alternative, called ClamWin. From Clam X themselves:
Back in the days before OS X, the number of viruses which attacked Macintosh users totalled somewhere between about 60 and 80. Today, the number of viruses actively attacking OS X users is…NONE! However, this doesn’t mean we should get complacent about checking incoming email attachments or web downloads, for two reasons. Firstly, there’s no guarantee that we Mac users will continue to enjoy the status quo, but more importantly, the majority of the computing world use machines running MS Windows, for which an enormous quantity of viruses exist, so we must be vigilant in checking the files we pass on to our friends and colleagues etc. For example, if you’re a wise person and you’ve turned MS Office’s macro support off then you’re not going to notice that virus which is hiding inside this month’s edition of Extreme Ironing.doc which your friend sent you. If you then forward that document to a less wise person who has not turned off the macro support, then you have most likely just sent him a shiny new Pandora’s Box with a sign saying “Open this end”!
Just be smart. Compute safe. Protect your machine, your data, and yourself.
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31 Comments
Windows Vista Torrent
November 22nd, 2007
at 11:42am
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nikeeweston
December 28th, 2007
at 10:05am
totally agree, and chris is an idiot
eesti900
January 2nd, 2008
at 7:34pm
No one makes viruses for MAC cause there are more Windows users not because no one likes MAC i have a PC but i think that MAC is better but it is also more expensive.
Michael Trimm
January 2nd, 2008
at 3:37pm
Chris! Thanks! I’m using ClamXav per your suggestion!
Keep up the great work!
MuLegend
January 5th, 2008
at 1:25pm
I’ll create a Company that specializes on creating Viruses for MACS :D xD lol
valius1
January 7th, 2008
at 3:34pm
I do believe he means that the Mac userbase is smaller than the Windows userbase. Even if there are plenty of people that use a Mac, there are MANY people who use Windows.
FrozenEclipse
January 12th, 2008
at 6:15pm
Lol, I guarantee he’s smarter, and more successful than your dumb ass.
FrozenEclipse
January 12th, 2008
at 6:15pm
No you don’t.
mario54671
January 13th, 2008
at 3:19am
yeah I have a PC but I’m getting a Mac soon and when I got it mine was $500 with a 200GB harddrive and 1GB RAM…the Mac I’m getting costs more than 3 times as much because I think it has a bit more harddrive and a bit more RAM too.
snowblazer12
January 18th, 2008
at 9:30am
if he didnt kno that macs didnt get viruses hes a fucking retard he deserves to die with teh other retards!
kizzkus
February 6th, 2008
at 6:26am
dont get viruses
DrOMFG
February 12th, 2008
at 12:55am
I lol’ed. i’ve tried so hard to get a virus on my mac. No succes :(
Mitoe1
March 1st, 2008
at 11:08am
It’s not true that no one likes Macs. LOL, I’ve got 4 Macs. No windows computers at all, but I’m gonna put windows on my Mac maybe because windows runs better on Macs LOL.
avelx
March 5th, 2008
at 9:44pm
If your on Windows download from Cnet! They are the most trusted company in the world. There greate (also mac!).
killa4eva50
March 19th, 2008
at 11:14pm
there is more viruses for pc cuz so much more popular cuz its betta.
a11562086
March 27th, 2008
at 2:46am
what if u watch a lot of porn on ur mac will u get viruses???? (im running leopard)
goodman854
March 29th, 2008
at 11:37am
There are NO current virus’s for Osx 10.5.2
Trojans and Spyware are not a virus.
ALSO, no NO! AND NO! My XP doesnt even have anti virus, if u know how to surf properly you will be safe!
rmellis
April 14th, 2008
at 4:09am
yes there is there is a trojen
CheenoToCool
April 16th, 2008
at 8:12am
dat made no sence
LeetStuffedGames
April 16th, 2008
at 9:05am
A Trojan is not a virus do your Research, please.
rmellis
April 17th, 2008
at 6:00am
WTF Yes a trojen is a type of virus d.h
javizfk
April 22nd, 2008
at 3:27pm
who is this clown !?… geeez hes like one of those morons who get paid to dish something/one… please donde listen to this clown !
rhtrv1
April 24th, 2008
at 8:35am
porn4mac is a big virus, it came out a few days ago(monday the 21st)
kashmirwind
April 26th, 2008
at 1:18am
There was a mac trojan some time ago, some kid not to long ago downloaded some kind of XXX file and got the first mac trojan….Wouldn’t that suck!!!
lakerboy16
April 27th, 2008
at 11:23am
Ur right, since chris gets paid by sponsors, and gets loads of free gadgets for absolutely no reason at all. GMAB
CodeOneTV
May 3rd, 2008
at 4:48am
How do you get this porn4mac out of your mac if you’ve installed it?
MAKESENCE7
May 7th, 2008
at 1:28pm
ASSHOLE !
leglemonmoney
May 16th, 2008
at 9:54am
i have no anti virus, havent had for years, hardley ever have any trouble, can go do what i like, just stay away from obvious virus spreaders. does this mean you need to avoid warez, porn, free etc.. no! you can download anything, just be a bit carefull, have i been fooled? yes! i have got infected, but very rare and i can fix it without a format 90% of time. why not install one? im weird. no lie, no real reason, i do think anti virus makers do propagate viruses to sell more. but thats paranoia
Starli08
May 19th, 2008
at 12:20pm
Thanks…^_^
priscillaxoxoxox
May 23rd, 2008
at 4:27am
Ok, so macs get viruses, thats all I need to know.
NUNZ
November 27th, 2008
at 4:55am
>goodman854
>March 29th, 2008
>at 11:37am
>There are NO current virus’s ….. My XP doesnt even have anti >virus, if u know how to surf properly you will be safe!
Can you send me your IP address please? I’ve this neat process which should keep you real safe – and you wont even have to browse for me to give ti to you :D