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Old 7th February 2013, 05:06 PM   #1
MinnesotaBrant
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I bought a mac, now do I need to buy virus protection?

I bought a mac and now I feel cool. Everything is the same as my old computer but in a different place. Wow, MAC in JREF has spell checker, now I know why all you mac users sound so smart. Anyways, do I need to plunk down some money for a virus program? Why, or why not? Is there anything I need to change on my system to make it more secure? I got a good price on it on EBAY because she had a bad picture. The thing is perfect! Another thing about a mac, is that there are a million ways to spend money right from the desktop. It kind of has a rich persons toy feel to it. I called apple care with a simple question and they kind of hinted that wanted some money, but they eventually answered the question. They did get some info about me and the system though.

Last edited by MinnesotaBrant; 7th February 2013 at 05:08 PM.
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Old 7th February 2013, 05:14 PM   #2
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Old 7th February 2013, 05:55 PM   #3
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Free; http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products...e-edition.aspx

Get it. Keep it updated.
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:02 PM   #4
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Yes. Sophos quarantined another virus on my Mac just today. Mac viruses aren't as common as Windows ones, but they still exist and you should still be protected from them.
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:05 PM   #5
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I used to have a different virus protection on my Mac, but it broke the wifi. Perhaps I'll try Sophos.
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:16 PM   #6
MinnesotaBrant
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One thing I am noticing about my mac is that it surfs the net fine but downloads really slow. Is this a problem for macs or just my problem? I got a macbook pro 2010
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:18 PM   #7
arthwollipot
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
One thing I am noticing about my mac is that it surfs the net fine but downloads really slow. Is this a problem for macs or just my problem? I got a macbook pro 2010
That's the one before mine. It's more likely to do with your internet provider than your computer.
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:18 PM   #8
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My 2012 MacBook Pro downloads speedily.
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:39 PM   #9
BenBurch
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
One thing I am noticing about my mac is that it surfs the net fine but downloads really slow. Is this a problem for macs or just my problem? I got a macbook pro 2010
What does this tell you? http://speedtest.net
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Old 7th February 2013, 06:56 PM   #10
Ray Brady
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I've used Macs for over 20 years, and have never bothered with virus protection. I've never had any problems with malware of any kind.
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Old 7th February 2013, 07:00 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by arthwollipot View Post
Yes. Sophos quarantined another virus on my Mac just today. Mac viruses aren't as common as Windows ones, but they still exist and you should still be protected from them.
A Mac virus ? Or some windows nonsense ?


I don't run any AV software on any of my Macs. Just use time machine and back up to an external drive, and think twice when you install something that requires you to enter your administrator password. Generally, Mac software is much better about not requiring admin rights unless it actually does, unlike (it seems) half the windows software I try to install.

Really, Mac viruses and malware exist, but they are minimal threats if you use a little common sense. The only one of any consequence, IMO, was Mac defender, and this was really a phishing scam.
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Old 7th February 2013, 07:26 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by BenBurch View Post
What does this tell you? http://speedtest.net
it told me that my download speed was .38 mbs per second. I am going to try a different internet spot
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Old 7th February 2013, 08:23 PM   #13
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There's anti-malware protection built into the Mac OS, XProtect. It's how Apple was able to disable that vulnerable Java.
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Old 7th February 2013, 09:09 PM   #14
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Short answer is no, you don't need to buy virus protection.

Long answer is maybe you do, if you're for some reason a high priority target for scammers, foreign spies, law enforcement or other people who might make it their business to do bad things to your computer but who are unable to (or uninterested in) physically accessing your stuff right now.

People saying "there was a virus on my mac!" usually turn out to have found a Windows virus in an email attachment, or to have had a port scanned by an infected Windows computer in Korea or something.
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Old 7th February 2013, 09:16 PM   #15
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Based on my experiences, I would say you don't need anti-virus on a Mac, but it might give you a little extra peace of mind through the placebo effect. It might also help you avoid passing on a virus to a Windows machine if you forward an infected file.
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Old 7th February 2013, 09:39 PM   #16
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I run a Mac antivirus periodically, and all it ever finds are phishing scam emails with links, in my email archive, and some old scripts that I saved from one of my websites that was hacked with some iframe injections. I've been using Macs since 1996, and the only virus I've ever encountered was the AutoStart 9805 worm in 1998, which as I recall was spread through CDs and floppy discs.
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Old 7th February 2013, 09:49 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Ray Brady View Post
I've used Macs for over 20 years, and have never bothered with virus protection. I've never had any problems with malware of any kind.
I've only had my Mac for 4 or 5 years, I keep everything updated but don't do anything special. I read the news reports when new Mac viruses surface. So far, they remain rare and localized.

I do have a recalled harddrive but I haven't taken it in yet for the exchange. I did by the hardware and set up Time Machine, it does auto-backups all day long.

Last edited by Skeptic Ginger; 7th February 2013 at 09:51 PM.
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Old 7th February 2013, 10:17 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Skeptic Ginger View Post
I've only had my Mac for 4 or 5 years, I keep everything updated but don't do anything special. I read the news reports when new Mac viruses surface. So far, they remain rare and localized.

I do have a recalled harddrive but I haven't taken it in yet for the exchange. I did by the hardware and set up Time Machine, it does auto-backups all day long.
Definitely use Time Machine! The backups are automatic, the entire directory structure is preserved, and you will be so happy to have a backup when you screw up, your hard drive fails, or your computer is wrecked or stolen. I use a WiFi system so I don't even need to plug my Mac physically into an external drive.
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Old 7th February 2013, 10:25 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Ray Brady View Post
I've used Macs for over 20 years, and have never bothered with virus protection. I've never had any problems with malware of any kind.
You probably have, but it's hidden. They're good at that. Seriously, do a scan.

Originally Posted by TheL8Elvis View Post
A Mac virus ? Or some windows nonsense
Sophos cleaned up the threat, so I can't tell you.

I'm not suggesting that Mac viruses are anywhere near as common as Windows ones. But they're out there, and they are very real. I get an alert once every few weeks or so. Actually, today's was the first in quite a while - maybe over a month since the last one. Fortunately, Sophos is set-and-forget, and it doesn't take up much memory.
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Old 7th February 2013, 10:32 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Giordano View Post
Definitely use Time Machine! The backups are automatic, the entire directory structure is preserved, and you will be so happy to have a backup when you screw up, your hard drive fails, or your computer is wrecked or stolen. I use a WiFi system so I don't even need to plug my Mac physically into an external drive.
I must get around to setting that up someday.
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Old 7th February 2013, 10:58 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by arthwollipot View Post
Sophos cleaned up the threat, so I can't tell you.
According to the Sophos docs you can view the scan log through the "gear" button near the bottom of the Scans window. I'm curious to know what it was (as I'm sure others are).
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Old 7th February 2013, 11:12 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by Pulvinar View Post
According to the Sophos docs you can view the scan log through the "gear" button near the bottom of the Scans window. I'm curious to know what it was (as I'm sure others are).
Well, it wasn't detected during a scan, it was detected as a realtime event. I ran a scan after Quarantine Manager had removed the threat, and found no additional threats.

However, looking at the system log, it appears that the problem was 'Mal/Phish-A' detected in the Spam folder of my local mailbox. The Mail app opened and synced with gmail this morning despite my repeatedly telling it not to do that. So yeah. It was a crap Windows thing.

On another note, the log also shows many, many instances of "Firewall: Stealth Mode connection attempt", lots of them within the last hour.
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Old 7th February 2013, 11:55 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
it told me that my download speed was .38 mbs per second. I am going to try a different internet spot
You might want to look at the definition of "mbs".
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Old 8th February 2013, 12:43 AM   #24
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Maybe his internet is accelerating.
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Old 8th February 2013, 12:54 AM   #25
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Old 8th February 2013, 01:03 AM   #26
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Re: I bought a mac, now do I need to buy virus protection?

I don't worry about Mac viruses.
Of course, I don't actually have a Mac so every thing is good.
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Old 8th February 2013, 03:37 AM   #27
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Use a non-Administrator account for everyday work, and leave the Admin account for the rare maintenance work. Mostly Mac OS X will ask for your Admin password if it needs it, so you do not actually have to log in as Admin for most work (say, installing and updating software). Pay attention what triggers the question and do not blindly type it when asked. I.e., if the Admin password dialog pops up after you clicked on a porn video on the web, it may be wise to not answer.

That alone takes care of the vast majority of malware that is out there. As far as I know, there are no viruses in the strictest sense of definition in the wild for Mac OS X. There is some malware and trojans, but most of them do require Admin privileges to do serious harm. The biggest problem seem to be classic trojans, that is, installation files for software that do not (only) install the software you want to have, but install (also) some malware.
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Old 8th February 2013, 04:39 AM   #28
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Only if you like running random programs you download from the InterNet.

Unlike WinTels, MacIntoshes do not run arbitrary code. MicroSoft.Com added the ability to run arbitrary code in the 1980s and refuses to admit that it is a mistake. Windows running random code without user prompting is such a nice feature —— ¡not!

You have to worry about Trojans, but then again, if you like downloading and running random stuff just to see whether it will hose your Mac, that is a personal psychological problem.

Turn off all plugins in your browser along with Java and JavaScript. Randi.Org is one of the few sites allowing one to post without JavaScript. Bad plugins allow code-injection. Plus, your browser will crash much less.

Set your email-client not to load images. That will reduce Spam:

In the Spam message you just opened by mistake is the image:

http : // Evil _ Spammers . Com / Penis - Pills . Your _ UserName @ Your _ InterNetServiceProvider . Com . Jpeg

If you will load images in email, the spammers will know that your email-address is active. They will send more Spam.
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Old 8th February 2013, 04:40 AM   #29
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
I bought a mac and now I feel cool. Everything is the same as my old computer but in a different place. Wow, MAC in JREF has spell checker, now I know why all you mac users sound so smart. Anyways, do I need to plunk down some money for a virus program? Why, or why not? Is there anything I need to change on my system to make it more secure? I got a good price on it on EBAY because she had a bad picture. The thing is perfect! Another thing about a mac, is that there are a million ways to spend money right from the desktop. It kind of has a rich persons toy feel to it. I called apple care with a simple question and they kind of hinted that wanted some money, but they eventually answered the question. They did get some info about me and the system though.
I saw an article on a tech site saying that Apple have said that Macs are no longer 'virus proof', but unfortunately I was pulled away before I could read it - it could be one of those articles where someone is exaggerating to have a pop at Apple, but I don't know. Do some InvestiGoogling to be safe.
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Old 8th February 2013, 05:33 AM   #30
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
One thing I am noticing about my mac is that it surfs the net fine but downloads really slow. Is this a problem for macs or just my problem? I got a macbook pro 2010
More likely where you are downloading from, nothing as fun as HP drivers I hope.
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Old 8th February 2013, 05:45 AM   #31
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Originally Posted by Walabio View Post
Unlike WinTels, MacIntoshes do not run arbitrary code. MicroSoft.Com added the ability to run arbitrary code in the 1980s and refuses to admit that it is a mistake. Windows running random code without user prompting is such a nice feature —— ¡not!
While generally incoherent, everything about this that is understandable is false. Also: Wintel?
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Old 8th February 2013, 05:54 AM   #32
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Originally Posted by MNBrant View Post
it told me that my download speed was .38 mbs per second. I am going to try a different internet spot
And what do you think you are paying for?
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Old 8th February 2013, 05:56 AM   #33
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Originally Posted by Reviresco View Post
I run a Mac antivirus periodically, and all it ever finds are phishing scam emails with links, in my email archive, and some old scripts that I saved from one of my websites that was hacked with some iframe injections. I've been using Macs since 1996, and the only virus I've ever encountered was the AutoStart 9805 worm in 1998, which as I recall was spread through CDs and floppy discs.
I found an LC mac under a desk when I worked for Zenith years ago. I needed a text terminal, so I co-opted it for that. Later I found that it had an nVir infection.
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Old 8th February 2013, 10:22 AM   #34
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Originally Posted by SezMe View Post
You might want to look at the definition of "mbs".
Sorry, actually I am taking an introduction to computers class in college this semester. The college WIFI is running at 98 megabits per second. Ping is 5 ms, (I am not really sure what that is.) Upload is 50 megabits per second. Nice. I guess I got the bits and bytes confused there. Good catch!
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Old 8th February 2013, 10:57 AM   #35
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Originally Posted by Rat View Post
While generally incoherent, everything about this that is understandable is false. Also: Wintel?
Shouldn't a Mac then be referred to as a "MacIntel"?
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Old 8th February 2013, 11:21 AM   #36
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Originally Posted by Reviresco View Post
I run a Mac antivirus periodically, and all it ever finds are phishing scam emails with links, in my email archive, and some old scripts that I saved from one of my websites that was hacked with some iframe injections. I've been using Macs since 1996, and the only virus I've ever encountered was the AutoStart 9805 worm in 1998, which as I recall was spread through CDs and floppy discs.
Same experience as me: no viruses since 1998.

Insofar as Time Machine, it seems Apple finally got it right, because the first Time Capsules failed spectacularly, and I had two old ones to prove it. Now, my newest 2TB Time Capsule saved me when my old PowerPC tower died a few months ago (the liquid coolant leaked out) and I was able to restore the hard drive on my new Mac Pro tower. Just a bit of a pain in the neck (at least, for me) to initially set up. Once set up, though, it works just fine.

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Old 8th February 2013, 12:16 PM   #37
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I'm pretty sure that I've not had a virus since 1998 (or indeed earlier) either.
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Old 8th February 2013, 12:58 PM   #38
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With all of the smart phones and tablets running on the Mac OS now I wonder if there is going to be increased interest in writing viruses for Macs. Up until now it seemed that the annoying script kiddies mostly played on PC and ignored the Mac.

Anyway, get an antivirus of some sort. Don't listen to the people who say "Macs never get viruses!" Just because Mac has been less interesting to ******* hackers in the past decade doesn't mean that they will continue to ignore it in the future.
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Old 8th February 2013, 01:33 PM   #39
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Originally Posted by Weak Kitten View Post
With all of the smart phones and tablets running on the Mac OS now I wonder if there is going to be increased interest in writing viruses for Macs. Up until now it seemed that the annoying script kiddies mostly played on PC and ignored the Mac.

Anyway, get an antivirus of some sort. Don't listen to the people who say "Macs never get viruses!" Just because Mac has been less interesting to ******* hackers in the past decade doesn't mean that they will continue to ignore it in the future.
Except they don't share a processor, so not binary compatible. Yet.
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Old 8th February 2013, 02:08 PM   #40
Vic Vega
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Originally Posted by Rat View Post
Also: Wintel?

Windows/Intel

A fairly common way to reference a windows/intel machine... At least in the US.
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