As a Mac newbie-to-be, I've read how Macs do not really require anti-virus software. What's the general opinion of MUGOO members on this, and on the need for other types of security software?
I have been a Mac user for ever, but I am a user not an expert.
I did ask an expert and got the following advice that follows.
My ISP (Primus) screens e-mails effectively.
I do not use other messaging systems or Facebook, Twitter, etc.
I am very careful about what web sites I use.
I do not insert strange CDs, or DVDs into my computers.
I do not use Virus software.
Advice:
- By default, the routers come with the firewall turned on, and if you
are not running email, that should stop "most" of the viruses out there
from attacking you. It is not a 100% guarantee however.
- By default, the routers come with host encryption turned off. Host
encryption is a setting on the wireless router that can be set and it
then forces each of the clients (Mac and windows machines) to
authenticate themselves before connecting. I'm not sure if it is a one
time authentication or a per session authentication. Everyone at work
with a wireless router quickly turns this on. To do so, you'll have to
enter the router options panel and look for WEP, or WPA, or WPP.
WEP is the simplest and what the expert here recommended. It has
technically been broken, but it would still take some serious effort for
a neighbour to borrow your service. And, there are some issues/bugs
with WPA and certain linksys routers and MACs.
The user experience you will find is that when you turn it on, you'll
have to select a pass phrase or password. Then, on your machines you'll
have to enter to set this as well (not sure if you are prompted for it,
or if you have to set it in the wireless configs on your clients). By
the way, the issue with WPA is that the encryption key is a 40 bit hex
value, and MACs will make you enter that value instead of the
password...can be very tedious. WEP does not have this issue.
Quote from: Jack on October 01, 2009, 01:27:27 PM
As a Mac newbie-to-be, I've read how Macs do not really require anti-virus software.
This is a tricky question. If you counsel someone that they don't need anti-virus s/w and they end up as that 1 in a million mac user who get a virus, then have you failed them? But if you answer conservatively and advise buying anti-virus software, and they buy that s/w,
instead of, say a backup pocket drive, and they then lose all their digital photos or purchased mp3's due to a drive failure, have you done them a disservice?
If however you ask if I run anti-virus s/w, then I'd have to admit that (a) I don't; and (b) I don't lose any sleep over it.
Of course, in the interests of full disclosure, I would add:
- I actually do have old versions of Virex and Nortons that I manually invoke once in a blue moon to look at the odd suspicious file.
- I never let Word or Excel macros run when I open Office files I receive from others.
- I do run anti-virus software in my virtual PC when running VMware Fusion on my Mac.
- I don't try to get 'free' copies of licensed software from Torrent streams [a common vector for trojans].
- I follow the OS X blogosphere religiously so I would know if a serious virus or trojan outbreak were to occur
Your mileage may vary. If you're on the fence, there's a free anti-virus package:
- ClamXav 2.0.3, clamxav.com (http://www.clamxav.com/)
- ClamXav 2.0.3, macupdate.com/info.php/id/15850/clamxav (http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15850/clamxav)
But for a new Mac user I'd recommend, as a higher priority, things such as a backup strategy, be it an external drive, dvd's, timecapsule, or a cloud backup service... And addressing basic system security, a subject about which pbridges has offered several suggestions.
Well I certainly appreciate the thoughtful advice from both Ben and pbridges. Thank you for taking the time to be so thorough and explicit. You've given me much to think about, and I'll keep your advice handy when I finally take the Mac plunge. (I'm excited by the reports of a new, less expensive, and perhaps more robustly-configured, Mini, as well a new mouse and keyboard, both of which my research tells me could stand improving.)
My daughter is already a Mac user (new MacBook Pro) and she has Time Capsule back-up, so that's convenient for my use as well.
Again, many thanks!
Jack
Quote from: Jack on October 03, 2009, 05:47:39 PM
when I finally take the Mac plunge. (I'm excited by the reports of a new, less expensive, and perhaps more robustly-configured, Mini, as well a new mouse and keyboard, both of which my research tells me could stand improving.)
Apple is famous for
not pre-announcing new models, and there are various rumour sites which collect clues like reduced stock and longer-backorder-delays to speculate as to when Apple might be clearing the channel for new models. If you don't already have this link, here's a site that tries to predict when new models are likely
based on the historical time between model updates:
- Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone, buyersguide.macrumors.com (http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/)
You may also want to inquire as to the return policy at the new Apple store at the Rideau Centre, in the case of new model releases after you purchase.
Thanks for the tip, Ben. Should prove most useful.