Macs never get viruses - Page 5

slowcoach · 05-07-2010, 00:47

This link will help everyone understand exactly why a UNIX like operating system is much more robust and safer then any Windows system.
After you have read it not only will you be more knowledgeable but you will probably refrain from repeating the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) that Microsoft indirectly pay people to write.

LINK

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 01:02

Oh gawd, I wondered how long it would turn into the Linux against Windows thread

Ed2020 · 05-07-2010, 02:06

There are a number of posts in this thread which demonstrate one aspect of AV software that I've always taken issue with - the assumption that if your AV package reports nothing is wrong then nothing is wrong. It gives users a false sense of security. Downloading a free AV package and scanning your Mac, Windows, Unix or Linux box to be told no malware was found absolutely does not mean there is definitely no malware present.

Providing you are exceptionally cautious then browsing the Internet with no AV can be perfectly safe regardless of what OS you choose to use. Of course you'd have to turn off all Javascript, Flash, Silverlight and any other client-side scripting except on sites you 100% trusted, never download anything executable and myriad other measures that would quickly become a major PITA, but it can be done.

**Maggy** · 05-07-2010, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Oh gawd, I wondered how long it would turn into the Linux against Windows thread

Ah it's been fun up until now.

Now it gets deadly serious..

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Ah it's been fun up until now.

Now it gets deadly serious..

Nope, it just gets off-topic!!!!

ZrByte · 05-07-2010, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It makes sense not to have a anti-virus running though. Since no Mac virus is out in the wild, they are all proof of concepts, why bother slowing down your computer?

Havent had a machine in 5 or 6 years that I could even tell when i have a virus scanner running in the background. Are macs really so resource lacking that you would?

the-cable-guy · 05-07-2010, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Actually, I don't think any platform is 100% safe. It's just that (at the moment) you are far less likely to encounter a virus in the wild running on OSX.

true but without having AV you cant know for sure.

---------- Post added at 09:58 ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Correct, but it doesn't mean to say that the system is inected and I'd say that nearly all would be clean.. For now.....

im not saying that their computers are infected they might not be, as i said above its impossible to know without having AV.

---------- Post added at 09:59 ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadGamer

it would be quite easy for Chris, Damien or me to prove that our macs aren't infected by installing a free anti virus program, run a scan then remove said anti virus program to prove your point.

as i said you might not be infected, its just that no os is 100% secure.

---------- Post added at 10:00 ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It makes sense not to have a anti-virus running though. Since no Mac virus is out in the wild, they are all proof of concepts, why bother slowing down your computer?

there are some in the wild tho, its just that their not as wide spread as viruses for Windows. as i said earlier its your computer so do as you wish with it.

---------- Post added at 10:02 ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed2020

There are a number of posts in this thread which demonstrate one aspect of AV software that I've always taken issue with - the assumption that if your AV package reports nothing is wrong then nothing is wrong. It gives users a false sense of security. Downloading a free AV package and scanning your Mac, Windows, Unix or Linux box to be told no malware was found absolutely does not mean there is definitely no malware present.

Providing you are exceptionally cautious then browsing the Internet with no AV can be perfectly safe regardless of what OS you choose to use. Of course you'd have to turn off all Javascript, Flash, Silverlight and any other client-side scripting except on sites you 100% trusted, never download anything executable and myriad other measures that would quickly become a major PITA, but it can be done.

yes it can be done, but lets face it alot of people out there download everything & anything & dont care or know that they have a virus.

---------- Post added at 10:04 ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Havent had a machine in 5 or 6 years that I could even tell when i have a virus scanner running in the background. Are macs really so resource lacking that you would?

same here unless your using Norton or its incredibly old it wont slow your computer down at all.

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

im not saying that their computers are infected they might not be, as i said above its impossible to know without having AV.

Yep, but an educated guess will give you a reasonable indication.

the-cable-guy · 05-07-2010, 11:17

like i said not all viruses make your computer act strangely.

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 11:23

Yep but then not all computers are windows

With the current limited userbase of MACs and the fact that most virii scripters target the largest and easiest userbase (currently windows) it is safe to assume that a MAC has probably a 99.9% chance of being virus free

Anyone who says differently is just scare mongering..

It's a shame really as MACs have this reputation purely based on limited numbers and if they do become "popular" then they will be targeted a lot more (hence my comment about the iphone/ipad in a previous post)

the-cable-guy · 05-07-2010, 11:25

true & im not trying to say that one os is better then the other.

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 11:26

Neither am I, just pointing out that those creating the virii are doing it for a reason so why target a small group of MAC users when they can target a large group of WINDOWS users. It's for that reason alone that protects most MAC users and not really the secureness of the OS

the-cable-guy · 05-07-2010, 11:31

i know that you werent mate & i agree but that doesnt make it 100% secure thats all that im saying.

Kymmy · 05-07-2010, 11:35

Yep, but saying that someone should prove that their MAC isn't infected is assuming guilt

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

prove that it isint

**Damien** · 05-07-2010, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cable-guy

i know that you werent mate & i agree but that doesnt make it 100% secure thats all that im saying.

No one is 100% secure. However we weight the risk against the practicality of measures to reduce that risk taking into account cost, hassle, and performance.

I have decided that with the low, if any, amount of Mac viruses spreading though the internet and the fact that I am careful with what I download and the existence of my firewall I do not need an anti-virus.

I don't do it too offend people with my risky behaviour or out of a sense of Mac arrogance. It's just the reality that I am very unlikely to get a virus on OSX in the current climate. I will reassess when the state of virus on the Mac changes but for now, I am not installing a AV on my machine to scan for nothing.