Do MACs need security software?

opps · 3 Nov 2010

Sorry but macs DO need security software!!!

Not having any is infact irresponsible.

At the risk of causing offence- the fact that you think that you don't need security software indicates that you really should be running some.

Even linux users should run scanning software from time to time.

Trojans exist on all platforms.

Not even Apple claim that their software is free from the risk of malware.

Sorry to be so blunt but the more that users deny the need for security the faster malware propagates throughout the internet.

powerfulp · 1 Dec 2010

At my Business we have seven Computers. Five PCs and two Macs.
Users are allowed to use their own and are paid extra for so doing.
Over years we seem to all the time have one PC 'down' for some reason but never with the Macs.

The PC users seen to be continually updating security systems of some sort or another but the Macs just keep going with never a fault.

I use a Mac and have never had any form of Malware protection installed as its just not needed. I don't, however, send anything such as emails to PC users as I realise the risk to them on receipt. That is done on the PCs which have so called protection.

There's no contest for me. Macs are miles better in every respect.

powerfulp · 11 Dec 2010

Bit too busy to help you at the moment. Will when there's time

daozen · 11 Dec 2010

Help with what talking rubbish and ignoring the facts? No thanks.

joinerjohn · 11 Dec 2010

Mac's do suffer from viruses. Some years ago Apple made a bold statement saying their computers didn't suffer from viruses. This was a red rag to a bull. Virus developers literally worked overtime to prove them wrong.
The only reason that Mac's suffer less than PC's is the fact that PC's outnumber the Mac's by hundreds of thousands.

Mac's can get viruses just as much as PC's. Any Mac owner who thinks their unprotected Mac is immune is either stupid or brainless.

joinerjohn · 11 Dec 2010

powerfulp said:
At my Business we have seven Computers. Five PCs and two Macs.
Users are allowed to use their own and are paid extra for so doing.

I use a Mac and have never had any form of Malware protection installed as its just not needed. I don't, however, send anything such as emails to PC users as I realise the risk to them on receipt.

1, Do you have any jobs going? I can bring my own computer?? Hmmm Any company worth working for would supply computers. not encourage employee's to bring their own. If an employee left and took their own computer with them, that computer will have sensitive data on it and that employee could use it to undermine your company (if so desired)

2 You have a Mac, but never send emails from it. I have to ask,,,,, is your Mac connected to the internet? Sounds like it isn't.
You sound like one of the Mac brigade who reckon they are safe from everything. The only computers that are safe from viruses/malaware/ hijack/ etc are the computers that are not connected to the internet/local area network etc. FACT

powerfulp · 12 Dec 2010

Joiner. If you are qualified to do accident investigation work yes we have a job going. Such people difficult to find. All of our cases are wiped when concluded.

Any info taken with them would have no value. Nobody leaves however as they earn a lot of money much of which is from Legal Aid. You pay for that.

Still don't need any protection on the Macs but forever it seems those with MS are updating protection.

joinerjohn · 12 Dec 2010

powerfulp said:
Any info taken with them would have no value. Nobody leaves however as they earn a lot of money much of which is from Legal Aid. You pay for that.

Ahh,, I assume your one of these ambulance chasing companies then. "Where there's blame,, there's a claim."

PS Apple do regular updates to their operating systems , the same as Microsoft do. Hmmmm
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1338

powerfulp · 12 Dec 2010

No. We do work for three major Solicitor Cos.
They already have their clients.

See the UK Register of Expert Witnesses.

powerfulp · 12 Dec 2010

joinerjohn said:
powerfulp said:

Any info taken with them would have no value. Nobody leaves however as they earn a lot of money much of which is from Legal Aid. You pay for that.

Click to expand...

Ahh,, I assume your one of these ambulance chasing companies then. "Where there's blame,, there's a claim."

PS Apple do regular updates to their operating systems , the same as Microsoft do. Hmmmm
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1338[/QUOTE]

The update is for SW. Nothing to do with Malware
However much you regret having to pay for protection you
are lumbered with it

daozen · 12 Dec 2010

Really I seem to recall this: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/security/358837/apple-slammed-for-stealth-security-update

So its for security as well. Read the the link below:

http://www.securemac.com/

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/201...000-active-users-and-plenty-of-malware-found/

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2010/11/24/apple-mac-malware-short-history/

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2009/08/12/reports-apple-mac-trojan-horse-wild/

Proof in real time of apple malware:

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2009/03/25/apple-mac-malware-caught-camera/

Apple fall short of microsoft in bug counts and have been for years: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/12/secunia_threat_report/

Also just for the record you dont have to pay for any protection on a windows PC if you dont want to.

Synapse · 12 Dec 2010

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

So explain why they have a list of security updates that have been applied to their software? According to you, they never have any malware so why would they need to apply security updates?

If you could also explain why they publish security guides on the Apple website:

http://www.apple.com/support/security/guides/

If you'd like to refer to Page 239 in the guide for Mac OSX v10.6 they specifically mention installing antivirus tools as part of security. Apple themselves recommend installing antivirus tools.

powerfulp · 12 Dec 2010

Yep Security guides are published. Bound to be Still don't change the fact that there has never been any Malware to have actually reached a Mac.
That's why they take a concern so that us customers don't have to buy protection.

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional

When i grew up I realised there was no point using a rubbish Ford when I could afford a Roller. Same attitude when I switched from crap to Mac.
Never a problem since.

Haven't got the time to read all the links posted. Thanks anyway. time is money to me.

I now rest my case.

Monkeh · 12 Dec 2010

So what you're saying is there's no malware for Macs because you don't have time to read about it?

Please go away.

daozen · 12 Dec 2010

powerfulp said:
Yep Security guides are published. Bound to be Still don't change the fact that there has never been any Malware to have actually reached a Mac.
That's why they take a concern so that us customers don't have to buy protection.

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional

When i grew up I realised there was no point using a rubbish Ford when I could afford a Roller. Same attitude when I switched from crap to Mac.
Never a problem since.

Haven't got the time to read all the links posted. Thanks anyway. time is money to me.

I now rest my case.

You wont read them because you know you are wrong. Macs need security as does windows, and you don't need to buy security for windows.

Anyway since you don't want to admit the truth heres a few quotes from the links:

You'll also see some Mac OS X-specific malware in there (OSX/Jahlav and DNS Changer). These are well known Mac Trojans

2010
The OSX/Pinhead Trojan (also known as HellRTS) emerged.

The backdoor Trojan horse can allow hackers to gain remote control over your treasured iMac or MacBook.

Once again, the malware was distributed disguised as a legitimate application - in this case, iPhoto, the photo application which ships on modern Macs.

More recently, the Boonana cross-platform worm appeared, using a Java applet to target not just Windows computers for infection, but Mac OS X and Linux too.

.. a Trojan horse for Mac OS X they have recently encountered disguised as MacCinema Installer.

This is all true. But I would stress to any non-believing Mac user that it's actually been true for a couple of years now. If you're a Mac user and not running anti-virus software, it's time to wake up and smell the cappuccino.

WAKE UP powerflop

Do MACs need security software?

joinerjohn

joinerjohn

joinerjohn

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