Security issues with a Mac? - Tech Support Forums

**Martoch** · March 2nd, 2007, 04:50 PM

Hey guys, I met a very nice retiree today at Sam's Club that recently purchased a Mac. He was told that he didn't need to worry about security or viruses with a Mac, but I have absolutely no knowledge in the Mac world. Can any of you enlighten me so I can pass on the information to him? He was holding a Norton 2007 box, but doesn't want to spend extra money if he doesn't have to do so. I got his e-mail address so I can pass along any info you guys can provide.

I did find this info...

Quote:

Apple makes great play of the fact that its OSX operating has yet to be attacked by a virus while Windows XP machines are plagued with problems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6378541.stm

Thanks!

On a side note, I also saved another gentleman $130+ while in the area...he needed something to open Excel spreadsheets, so I had him write down OpenOffice.org and he was VERY excited to save the cash. It was "feel good" day for sure.

Milwaukee · March 2nd, 2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martoch

Hey guys, I met a very nice retiree today at Sam's Club that recently purchased a Mac. He was told that he didn't need to worry about security or viruses with a Mac, but I have absolutely no knowledge in the Mac world. Can any of you enlighten me so I can pass on the information to him? He was holding a Norton 2007 box, but doesn't want to spend extra money if he doesn't have to do so. I got his e-mail address so I can pass along any info you guys can provide.

I did find this info...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6378541.stm

Thanks!

On a side note, I also saved another gentleman $130+ while in the area...he needed something to open Excel spreadsheets, so I had him write down OpenOffice.org and he was VERY excited to save the cash. It was "feel good" day for sure.

Mac don't need anti virus. I wondered if add norton security then it be so slow

Tell his sent norton secuirty back to store since Mac don't have many virus.

**GroundZero3** · March 2nd, 2007, 05:38 PM

http://www.macuser.co.uk/macuser/new...mon-chart.html

If i was running a mac, i wouldnt install any anti virus. Heck im running windows without any!

**RicheemxX** · March 2nd, 2007, 05:43 PM

sr71000 · March 2nd, 2007, 05:43 PM

macs are vulnerable just like anything else. Especially when not properly configured! (as always happens with regular users....lol). The pc world is still dominated by microsoft though, so few people bother writing exploits for macs. If i were him I'd just make sure he's got the thing behind a router and maybe a software firewall if osx includes one (i think it does) and stick with that. Apparently grisoft is in the process or porting avg over to osx as well

. They're not sure if they're gonna actually take it past lab stages but it's a possibility to keep an eye on (found a few obscure articles...hasn't been much news about it yet but that would be great to see!)

SeanC · March 2nd, 2007, 06:41 PM

They just need to make sure they have a firewall running. As long as they don't download files or open weird attachment in email or run software CDs or DVDs from sources they don't trust they're fine.

Right now, the only reason to have AV on a Mac is to scan for Windows-based viruses if you share files (like MS Office documents) with Windows users. Even though the virus wouldn't infect their system, they would still pass it on to anyone else.

**Martoch** · March 2nd, 2007, 06:43 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys.

He did say that OSX does come with a softwall firewall, but he didn't know whether or not to believe the lack of virus threat. I certainly didn't want to see him spend $50 on the Norton suite.

SeanC · March 2nd, 2007, 07:09 PM

From what I recall, I think there might be one or two viruses for OS X. Compared to Windows, it's practically pristine, but no desktop OS is immune to viruses, it's whether someone will figure out how to write one for it.

There's a version of the freeware Clam antivirus for OSX, it's available here: www.clamxav.com

Rather than spending money.

Rootstonian · March 2nd, 2007, 07:35 PM

Good job tocky!! I had one of those last week...guy drove off the ATM machine (and luckily) was walking into bank. I was the next one up and guess what? His card was right there for the taking.

I yelled to him and boy did his face light up when I handed his card back!

Now, tocky,,,GET A JOB!

originel · March 2nd, 2007, 07:43 PM

It's definitely not worth it to spend money on it. There have been (I think) two virii for OS X so far that involved downloaded a "pirated copy of MS Office" that was actually just a virii. Apple didn't do anything about it because a) it didn't exploit a flaw (aside from user stupidity) and b) you had to be trying to pirate software to get it. There was another along the same lines that I don't remember as well. If you can get a free AV program, then it couldn't hurt I guess, but personally I don't run one at all on my Mac (or any of my Linux machines either).

There are certainly vulnerabilities, but that relates more to hackers than to virii. You are very safe from virii in OS X for the time being (hackers are a different story, so keeping a firewall running is still a good idea).