I was wondering if anyone could recommend good, free antivirus software for Mac. I've read very mixed reviews about all of them and I don't really want to download and run all of them. I'm currently using ClamXav, but I was wondering if there are any other better ones out there. FYI, I'm running OS X v. 10.6.4. Thanks in advance!

Unless you're running your Mac as a server, and have to scan files from other sources, you really don't want to be running an antivirus.

None of the available ones have been shown to be anything other than resource hogs, with very poor cost/performance ratios. Commercial antivirus software marketed toward non-server users of Macs are only mainly useful for separating fools from their money. Google the reviews and verify this for yourself.

I won't say there aren't any viruses on Macs, but there are few enough to warrant installing an antivirus. (The same is true for most UNIX platforms) Furthermore, Mac OS X (a UNIX-based OS) has a security model that makes it more difficult for viruses to spread, and so most virus authors tend not to target it. I've been running Mac OS X for the past 6 years with no antivirus and I have never once been infected.

The biggest threats on UNIX systems are not viruses, but rootkits and security vulnerabilities. Malware and trojans are rare, but they exist. Keep your system updated with patches (through Software Update in OS X), keep your firewall active, don't open any suspicious files/attachments, and you will be fine.



Experience: 12 years on various UNIX OSes, 6 years on Mac OS X.

lol....antivirus for mac.

that's like panty-hoses for men.

It's funny how people think Mac can't be affecd by any virus because it's better. It's not.

A virus is like a program and most of the viruses have been written for Windows. That's why Mac users aren't affected by it. It's only because Windows has been much more popular for such a long time.

Originally Posted by Commander

It's funny how people think Mac can't be affecd by any virus because it's better. It's not.

A virus is like a program and most of the viruses have been written for Windows. That's why Mac users aren't affected by it. It's only because Windows has been much more popular for such a long time.

So? No one said that Mac's can't get viruses.

It doesn't change anything. You still don't need antivirus software for your Mac. And it's not a Mac vs PC debate. It's a Mac OS vs Windows debate. Pure software.

Take my analogy:

Originally Posted by SilentWalker

lol....antivirus for mac.

that's like panty-hoses for men.

Panty hoses were designed for women. Men can wear then if they like, but it's just wrong.

Disclaimer: I am in no way comparing women to Windows. That's just degrading.

Originally Posted by SilentWalker

So? No one said that Mac's can't get viruses.

It doesn't change anything. You still don't need antivirus software for your Mac. And it's not a Mac vs PC debate. It's a Mac OS vs Windows debate. Pure software.

Take my analogy:




Panty hoses were designed for women. Men can wear then if they like, but it's just wrong.

Disclaimer: I am in no way comparing women to Windows. That's just degrading.

Just wrong ? Just what is your definition of wrong? A man wearing pantyhose won't hurt or kill anyone or have an effect on society.

A Mac is just like any other computer.

If you never connect yourself to the internet, then you probably don't need an anti virus.

However, if you do connect to the internet you will want some sort of protection.

With the numbers of Apple users skyrocketing by the month the chances of someone out there creating malicious software that can affect your Mac also increases.

I personally use Norton for both Anti Virus and internet security and contrary to most reviews, have never had a problem with it. It is simple and very easy to use and will always warn you if you are going to a website that has been reported in the past for attacks.

In the end, it's still your choice, but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Experience: 10 years of using Apple.

Viruses for Macs have alwasy existed, I got one on a G4 tower about 10 years ago, although at the time I was running OS 9, a much less secure system than OS X. They're really uncommon, but still do exist.

With that being said, I don't use any antivirus on my macbook, Norton is a massive recource hog and I haven't found any good free software.

Install Ubuntu, forget viruses you'll be customizing it for the rest of your life XD

IDK D:

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Google is your best friend in a situation like this. D:

Make Use Of wrote a review on two anti-virus programs for Mac OS X if you are interesting in reading them: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/two-fre...-for-mac-os-x/

Originally Posted by jhan523

Make Use Of wrote a review on two anti-virus programs for Mac OS X if you are interesting in reading them: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/two-fre...-for-mac-os-x/

ClamXAV is the best (if you really needed an antivirus).

I have been using my macbook for about 3-4 years now and never really needed a anti-virus. Unless you go hunting for them the chances of you getting a virus is really small.

Originally Posted by aaront

ClamXAV is the best (if you really needed an antivirus).

This.

Macs are so overrated. It's crap.