I just bought a Macbook Pro which has OS X Mountain Lion. Do I need anti virus software? It seems hard to get a straight answer on Apple's website or the Mac forums.
OS X Mountain Lion
- Thread starter attime6
- Start date
I bought a Mac Mini last year and never got a straight answer. So basically if it will give you peace of mind do it. if you aint worried about a virus then don't do it. but Macs do indeed get viruses, maybe not as often, but it does happen. and in my experience even the best virus software wont 110% protect you from a virus.
I use Sophos antivirus, it's free. seems to work fine. There are a few free ones on the app store that have great reviews. IMO I wouldn't pay for one if you do decide to use a virus software.
It's not currently the absolute requirement as it is for Windows, but I use it anyway.
Nope. I've owned macs since 2004 and never put an antivirus on any of them. Macs are all but impossible to write viruses on their equipment. You'll love your new MacBook!
Not really no, and Apple includes malware fixes in their updates.
Ive been running Macs since they came out with OS X and have never had an issue.
Ive been running Macs since they came out with OS X and have never had an issue.
I've had Macs since 2003 and I've never installed one.
Ben
Ben
I never used one on mine. I just resurrected my old Mb pro and put snow leopard on it.
On windows I just use MS Security Essentials.
On windows I just use MS Security Essentials.
It isn't that it is impossible to write a virus for Apple products, it is that hackers don't care to. You don't have to but I'm sure AVG or someone has a good free anti-virus/anti-spyware. Other than that it is still a good idea to back up your data in case of viruses, crashes, and the occasional corruption of data.
I have no anti-malware product of any kind installed on my iMac or Macbook Pro and have had zero problems in the 4+ years that I have owned them.
That's plainly untrue. Virus' affect SW, not HW, it's no more difficult to write a virus for OSX than it is for any other OS, virus coders just don't care to ... yet. As the installed user base of OSX grows, it may become more attractive for coders to write malicious OSX code.
Personally I find the best virus protection is smart computing.
wasn't there a virus last year that affected Macs. through adobe or something? I remember having to download a thingymabob to check if i was infected. I think something like 30,000 Macs were infected. some security flaw with the adobe flash player maybe?
I guess you can't read the line either then?? What's "plainy untrue" about that statement?
Originally Posted by DC_MPA
Macs are all but impossible to write viruses on their equipment.
Originally Posted by DC_MPA
Macs are all but impossible to write viruses on their equipment.
I have been an Apple user since OSX came out, but some of the replies here surprise me. Macs, like all computers connected to the Internet, are vulnerable in some degree. If you want to be safe, put a hat on it 
I'm a long time Mac user (1988) and I've never had a virus. That being said, it's more about my computing practices than about the solid operating system. I'd do some research on safe computing practices and slip over to the Apple discussion forums before looking at any protection software.
- Thread starter
- #16
Thanks for the feedback gents, I guess it can't hurt to install Norton. To bad Sophos currently is not listed in the App Store.
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition.aspx
theres the link for Sophos. I can not honestly remember if I downloaded it from the app store or straight from their website.
theres the link for Sophos. I can not honestly remember if I downloaded it from the app store or straight from their website.
- Thread starter
- #18
Thanks Jason!
no problemo
D/L'd sophos yesterday, ran it and found 4 concerns on my Mac, all were windows only threats and all came from my android backup, glad I switched to iPhone...another reason to switch
