I've owned and used PC computers for years and except for one Trojan virus, have never had any problems. I've used mostly Norton or free AVG or Avira antivirus software on my PCs to protect them.

About 6 months ago, I bought a new retina MacBook pro laptop and really liked it. I did not purchase antivirus software for it. For Christmas, I got a new Mac mini desktop computer I am delighted with both of the Apple computers and with the phone support and/or Genius bar support at my local Apple store.

I wonder though, should I be using an antivirus programs for the Mac computers? I've looked and there are not many available. Either they are not needed or Mac owners are foolishly exposing their Mac computers to unnecessary risk by not buying and installing antivirus/malware software.

What's your opinion?

 

There are Mac viruses and malware. You wouldn't drive a car without insurance, why wander down Internet back alleys with no protection? Eset makes a good antivirus/anilmalware program, Norton has one, McAfee has one. There are also some freebies. Get one, update it regularly (I do mine every day automatically). A small price to pay for peace of mind. Avast is free and good, I use Eset Cybersecurity Pro but you may want to use something else. Your call.
Here you go:
https://www.google.c...56&pf=p&pdl=300

 

He knows of what he speaks.

 

Good question. I have a buddy from work who's a geek's geek. He had a top end digital camera nearly 15 years ago when they were big $$$. He's a Mac guy personally while through out his career he supported windows to hundreds of users in the back-room with all whatever stuff geeks do back there - servers and like. He said he does not have any on his. It is true that there have been viruses on Mac's in the past...... some done by super-geeks who love Macs but just wanted to prove it could be done. I downloaded a free one called ClamXav, and can't say that it ever found anything but that's ok too. I think there may be one or two free ones that are now rated higher. I have other tech'y friends who say you only get what you pay for and don't trust free programs. More than anything else, I think constant back-up is best.

 

I have been using ESET that Ken recommends and have been happy with it.

A license for 3 PC computers is about 75/year.

It was recommended by Microcenter where I bought my "travel buddy" Netbook and my DELL Desktop.

 

Excuse me, we are talking about "Apples", not virus catchers.

 

Sorry, Dave. He's not a geek, he's an idiot. I've been in this business since 1965. Anti-Virus/Anti-malware protection is a small price to pay to NOT get hit by something you don't want. I hope you friend has good backups (and I don't mean Time Machine backups either) because the day is going to come. The only 100% sure way to never get hit is to unplug the machine from the internet and power.

 

Sorry Dave, but there's no difference. (and in case you're wondering, at home I have 4 Macs, 2 Solaris machines, a Fedora Linux box, a Dell Laptop running Win 7, and a Sony running Win 8). I do computer network security for a living, I have a vague idea that I might have a minor clue.

 

^^ What Ken said. Anybody who thinks Macs can't be hit by malware is a technology dumb-a$$. Anybody who is in the tech field and runs anything (no matter what the OS) without some form of antivirus is an uber-dumb-a$$.



Posted via mobile. sorry about any typos. :-(

 

The recent evelations about China-backed activities reinforce the need. This isn't just about somebody trying to get your credit card number anymore.
This ties into state-sponsored hacking. Just look at Stuxnet.
How many US machines do you think are infected yet dormant, waiting to be activated as a clone reserve force ready to be part of a massive network attack?