Mac Antivirus

[Gene Steinberg]

Tests of Windows security apps have little to do with how the products work on a Mac. Only a few of those software companies make Mac products, because sales aren't certain on the platform. Every antivirus app I've tried has had slowdowns in app launching and other functions. Some are less intrusive than others, however. The long and short of it is that, aside from Apple's delay in getting a handle on Flashback, a Java virus, they've done a pretty good job. If you are only careful about the sites you visit, what you download, and what you click in an email, there shouldn't be a problem -- at least for now.

As far as the future is concerned, well, be prepared.

 

[Mouth]

Tests of Windows security apps have little to do with how the products work on a Mac [...] Every antivirus app I've tried has had slowdowns in app launching and other functions.

av-comparatives.org also do Mac, I guess you didn't look past the homepage for your assessment on that? Here you go.
Experience with Windows has at lot more than you realise, it comes down to programmer efficiency and method.
No such slowdowns for me with Avast.
What methodology and metrics did you use for measuring your experience with slowdowns?

 

[Gene Steinberg]

I look at application launch times, easily measured. In any case, the document you point to is 26 pages long, so I'll have to look it over and give an assessment. I've been at the tech commentator game since the late 80s, by the way.

 

[RickM]

Wouldn't bother. Mac Antivirus apps have little to nothing to offer. Apple have a built in 'kill switch' for malware and exploits in integrated software (e.g Java), then you've got the Mac firewall.

Other than that you dont need anything. It's considerably harder to have an unknown exploit on a mac than it is on a PC due to the way apps run. You cant have something run without you manually opening it.

Never had an antivirus on my mac, and likely never will.

 

[Gene Steinberg]

av-comparatives.org also do Mac, I guess you didn't look past the homepage for your assessment on that? Here you go.
Experience with Windows has at lot more than you realise, it comes down to programmer efficiency and method.
No such slowdowns for me with Avast.
What methodology and metrics did you use for measuring your experience with slowdowns?

Being able to build a Windows apps doesn't guarantee that you can build a Mac app. The landscape is littered with poor ports.

That long survey linked earlier is also highly deficient. They don't review Intego's products, and Intego is a Mac-only security company. They also fail to review Symantec's product or the Mac antivirus app from Trend Micro. Kinda makes the survey useless.

 

[Gene Steinberg]

I've read the report now. Aside from ignoring key antivirus apps, which makes the study essentially useless, the best solution, spelled out in the beginning of the report, doesn't require installing any new software free or paid. Number 7, of course, is questionable if you require Wi-Fi or use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. In addition, the large malware infection cited in the report would not have impacted any Mac user if they followed step 4. These days, Apple has taken steps to disable the Java player, but some Mac users mistakenly think they should disable JavaScript too.

1. Never use an administrator account for day‐to‐day computing
2. Use a sandboxed browser such as Google Chrome
3. Uninstall/disable the standalone Flash Player
4. Uninstall/disable the Java Player
5. Keep your Mac operating system up‐to‐date with the latest patches
6. Use secure passwords (the Mac includes the KeyChain password manager)
7. Deactivate any services such as Airport, Bluetooth or IPv6 that you don’t use