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Fan Area => The Hydlaa Plaza => Topic started by: Nightflyer0ne on November 02, 2012, 02:08:06 pm

Title: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: Nightflyer0ne on November 02, 2012, 02:08:06 pm
Hey there, I'm hoping you guys can help me out. I have a friend with an Apple (which I'm clueless about) who doesn't have antivirus software because of the cost. I think I've heard that there are some good ones out there that are free or low cost, but I can't remember any names. Are there any tech-savvy folks out there who can recommend a good one? Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: LigH on November 02, 2012, 03:21:13 pm
There is no need to be very "tech-savvy". Just creative while entering promising terms into web search engines (e.g. "free macos antivirus").

But the available results may have side effects. You know, antivirus tools are never perfect; and even "good" ones are offered as "so valuable that you should consider spending money for them" (e.g. by popping up annoying ads in free versions) — especially to Mac users who are known to have more money than sense (http://www.itler.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/fun-apple-store-china.jpg). And really free software (e.g. ClamXav) is not yet really "good", comparing detection rates.

A brief list of the first Google result page:

Search for yourself regarding reviews.
Title: Re: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: MishkaL1138 on November 04, 2012, 01:30:08 pm
I have never needed an antivirus for my Mac O.o Why would "your friend" need one? Is his computer infected?
Title: Re: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: miadon on November 04, 2012, 01:38:22 pm
The main point of virus scanners on OSX/Linux is to scan for windows viruses.  Although a windows virus wont do anything on OSX/Linux it can still carry windows viruses from downloads or placement of a memory stick in an infected system.
Title: Re: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: BoevenF on November 04, 2012, 06:22:27 pm
It should be said that the "invulnerable OS" simply does not exist. With the Microsoft "débacle" of Windows ME and Vista (brrr!) more and more people have changed habits/mind and finally used Apple products or Linux OS. But you should be aware that Windows products are a preferred environment for viruses, rootkits et similia only because of its huge diffusion. When the balance of operating systems will put more interesting weight on Linux or OSX, virus developers will change their target.
It's already started. Here is what you find with a simple search:

2006: OSX/Leap was a Trojan-worm combo that spread through Apple's iChat instant messaging system. The infected file would pop up in a buddy's iChat window, claiming to have pictures of the then-upcoming Mac OS X Leopard. Once installed, the Trojan infects recently-opened applications with poisoned code, rendering them unusable

2007-2009: OSX/DNSChanger, OSX/RSPlug, and OSX/Jahlav were Zlob Trojans that crossed over from PCs. These Trojans posed as video codecs required to watch porn videos. Once installed, they'd alter a system's Domain Name Server (DNS) settings to divert traffic to malicious websites

2008: OSX/MacSweeper, 2009: OSX/Krowi, 2010: OSX/OpinionSpy, and so on. (from http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/295168-the-ten-most-dangerous-mac-viruses (http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/295168-the-ten-most-dangerous-mac-viruses))

For Linux there's a page on wikipaedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_malware)

Android it's a mess already.

Bottom line is: Be careful and usually don't trust marketing assertions.  ;)
Title: Re: Need Help: Antivirus program for an Apple?
Post by: Dorbaine on November 07, 2012, 11:14:18 pm
All-Hail BoevenF's bottom line :)