Re: Mac (computer) question

[Guest guest]

> Do I need to download virus detection for my Mac?

Probably but there are probably free ones.

Two that show up are:

ClamXav the Macintosh version of the popular opensource ClamAV.

http://www.markallan.co.uk/clamXav/

and

PC Tools iAntivirus

http://www.iantivirus.com/

I hadn't seen anything about either one and I'm sure there are

others.

For the most part it isn't necessary to do frequent scans. The last

virus I ran into was the qaz virus in 1999. It was a Chinese origin

virus targeting a few networks in the high technology sector. It

was discovered when they hit Microsoft. I occasionally connected to

the network belonging to the patent firm I was at. It didn't affect

my machine much because I didn't clear it from my machine for a

couple of weeks.

I don't recall what we did at work, but I'm sure I did something

because I was the acting IT there.

- s0

[Guest guest]

> For the most part it isn't necessary to do frequent scans. The last

> virus I ran into was the qaz virus in 1999.

But the article (for which I posted the URL) says Apple's

recommendation to start using anti-virus stuff is " a response to the

growing trend among cyber criminals of booby-trapping webpages that

can catch out Mac users. " i.e., what's been true in the past (very

few Mac viruses) is not going to remain true in the future.

Also, " Apple encourages the widespread use of multiple antivirus

utilities so that virus programmers have more than one application to

circumvent, thus making the whole virus writing process more difficult. "

Jane

[Guest guest]

Do virus-protection software protect from viruses caught from visiting

a contaminated webpage? Or only through email?

~Bonnie

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

.... Apple's

recommendation to start using anti-virus stuff is " a response to the

growing trend among cyber criminals of booby-trapping webpages that

can catch out Mac users. "

[Guest guest]

> Do virus-protection software protect from viruses caught from visiting

> a contaminated webpage?

If not, why would Apple recommend they be used for that purpose?

Perhaps it is only the ones they recommend that include such protection.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Did Apple say Mac's were vulnerable to webpage-viruses or did the news

article say it?

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7760344.stm>

I have searched (continue to search) mac.com and I haven't found a

statement from Apple to use additional protection besides what comes

loaded and is periodically updated on Macs.

It is recommended to be safe and definitely advised in certain

situations (e.g. Macs running Windows), but I can't find a warning

from Apple.

~Bonnie

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

> Do virus-protection software protect from viruses caught from

visiting

> a contaminated webpage?

If not, why would Apple recommend they be used for that purpose?

Perhaps it is only the ones they recommend that include such protection.

..

[Guest guest]

<http://www.macworld.com/article/137267/2008/12/antivirusremoved.html>

A support page on Apple’s Web site recommending users purchase

antivirus software for their Macs received a lot of attention over the

past couple of days, but on Tuesday Apple removed the page from its

Web site.

" WE HAVE REMOVED THE KNOWLEDGEBASE ARTICLE BECAUSE IT WAS OLD AND

INACCURATE, " APPLE SPOKESMAN BILL EVANS, TOLD MACWORLD. " THE MAC IS

DESIGNED WITH BUILT-IN TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST

MALICIOUS SOFTWARE AND SECURITY THREATS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.”

--- - - - - - - - - -

I hope this helps and not muddle the issue of whether Mac's should

have virus-protection applications.

~Bonnie

[Guest guest]

> I hope this helps and not muddle the issue of whether Mac's should

> have virus-protection applications.

Thanks! :-)

Jane