Anti-Virus for MacPro ...

[vja4Him]

Anti-Virus for MacPro ...

Somebody has hacked our Internet connection and downloaded illegal files. I'm looking for Anti-Virus software to use with my MacPro.

I've already called our ISP (Charter). They told me there is nothing they can do, since I use my own router. I called D-Links, and they helped to set up a secure connection. I asked them about setting up a second level of security (recommended by Charter), but they told me I didn't need that, and refused to help me with the MAC ID Filtering (recommended by Charter).

I called Apple Tech Support and they helped me to adjust some other settings (Firewall on, Sharing Files off).

I just want to have the maximum security to hopefully stop whoever is hacking and downloading illegal files ...

 

[JediMeister]

If the initial exploit was with your internet connection, I'm not sure why you feel you need to protect the Mac. Once you've closed that loophole, and unless you have file or internet sharing enabled on the Mac, you have nothing to worry about...

 

[goMac]

If you're running OS X, don't bother. There are no known viruses for OS X.

As long as you are running WPA2, your wireless should be fine.

How do you know illegal files were downloaded? You do realize that commonly those illegal download notifications go to the wrong person.

 

[munkery]

Take a look at the following: Mac Security Suggestions

 

[ctyhntr]

If Apple recommended making changes to your firewall settings and change permissions for file sharing, and you're implementing MAC address filtering at the router level, then it doesn't sound like a virus infection.

What you may need is a firewall software, and check your list of running processes, which programs are running, such as VNC, a remote viewing software with file downloading ability.

Check out Little Snitch, this will allow you to monitor your programs internet activity.
http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html

 

[munkery]

Given your initial post, it sounds like only your wireless network is being compromised and not your machine.

Anti-Virus software, firewalls, and etc will not make a difference.

Make sure your wireless uses WPA2, has a secure password for the wireless network, and that the admin password for the router is secure (do not use the routers default password).

 

[vja4Him]

If you're running OS X, don't bother. There are no known viruses for OS X.

As long as you are running WPA2, your wireless should be fine.

How do you know illegal files were downloaded? You do realize that commonly those illegal download notifications go to the wrong person.

I have received numerous post cards in the mail informing me that somebody has been downloading illegal files! They are threatening to take me to court, and pay a fine and possible jail or prison sentencing ... !!!!!

I wonder why D-Links refused to help me set up our router with an extra level of security (as recommended by Charter). The Charter Tech Support told me that I need a second level of security having something to do with MAC ID Filtering ...

 

[ARF900]

I have received numerous post cards in the mail informing me that somebody has been downloading illegal files! They are threatening to take me to court, and pay a fine and possible jail or prison sentencing ... !!!!!

From who?

 

[goMac]

I have received numerous post cards in the mail informing me that somebody has been downloading illegal files! They are threatening to take me to court, and pay a fine and possible jail or prison sentencing ... !!!!!

Enable WPA2 on your router. You need a password on your router. Your machine is ok, but if you didn't password your wireless, someone is probably using it.

Postcards? Something doesn't sound right about that. They should be formal letters from a legal department. Are you sure those notices are accurate?

Regardless, they can't legally do anything to you in since you aren't doing the downloads.

 

[vja4Him]

From who?

Post cards are from Charter.

 

[munkery]

I have received numerous post cards in the mail informing me that somebody has been downloading illegal files! They are threatening to take me to court, and pay a fine and possible jail or prison sentencing ... !!!!!

If someone is using your wireless to dl the files then the activity would be traced back to your IP. Make sure to secure your wireless network.

 

[MacHamster68]

I have received numerous post cards in the mail informing me that somebody has been downloading illegal files! They are threatening to take me to court, and pay a fine and possible jail or prison sentencing ... !!!!!

i bet they said on the postcard how you can avoid that ...maybe by sending some money to someones bank account
never thought they now send postcards to warn you , usually if they suspect you have illegally downloaded stuff they bring you straight to court if they have evidence

 

[goMac]

never thought they now send postcards to warn you , usually if they suspect you have downloaded illegal stuff they bring you straight to court

They usually send you a letter first from a legal department, but this is the first I've heard of a postcard.

 

[vja4Him]

Enable WPA2 on your router. You need a password on your router. Your machine is ok, but if you didn't password your wireless, someone is probably using it.

Postcards? Something doesn't sound right about that. They should be formal letters from a legal department. Are you sure those notices are accurate?

Regardless, they can't legally do anything to you in since you aren't doing the downloads.

Charter wasn't certain, but they did tell me that the area code for the phone number on the post card is their area code. The post cards have Charter's logo.

They usually send you a letter first from a legal department, but this is the first I've heard of a postcard.

I'm wondering if this is a scam ... Just trying to get me to pay for something I don't even have ...

i bet they said on the postcard how you can avoid that ...maybe by sending some money to someones bank account
never thought they now send postcards to warn you , usually if they suspect you have illegally downloaded stuff they bring you straight to court if they have evidence

Yeah, they have the amount that I need to send in to avoid legal fees and possible jail/prison sentence!

 

[MacHamster68]

They usually send you a letter first from a legal department, but this is the first I've heard of a postcard.

yes thats true usually you get for example a letter from the legal department because you infringed their copyright or such thing but they give you exact evidence where when and what you have downloaded in this letter as prove
they do not just threaten you without producing any precise evidence , something that does not fit on a standard postcard

but there are people out there who do wardriving , and use other peoples wireless for such things ,then know exact the name and address and then try to make some bugs as they know everyone is scared to have to face a huge fine at court, so they might send a postcard and a settlement offer of a couple hundred bugs

and as the op stated he got hacked it makes sense or?

 

[munkery]

yeah, they have the amount that i need to send in to avoid legal fees and possible jail/prison sentence!

scam

 

[MacHamster68]

there is now a very easy way to find out take the postcards to the police
even if these postacards would be legitimate , what i pretty much doubt
you got nothing to lose , if its legit the legal department of whatever company who did send the card would not mind ,
but if its a scam the police has a chance to get these guys before they become millionaires and disappear on the cayman islands

 

[Dr McKay]

If you want anti-virus on your Mac, Sophos for Mac is supposed to be good. Even though there are people saying "There are no known viruses for Mac". I feel this attitude is a poor one and it cant hurt to be careful.

Aside from Viruses, there are still methods for an outside attacker to gain access to OS X, no system is impenetrable.

Sophos for Mac

 

[fswmacguy]

This is not caused by a virus. This is caused by not having your network secure. D-Link isn't an uncommon router and has the usual security settings. Make sure your wifi network is password-protected, or change the password.

yes thats true usually you get for example a letter from the legal department because you infringed their copyright or such thing but they give you exact evidence where when and what you have downloaded in this letter as prove
they do not just threaten you without producing any precise evidence , something that does not fit on a standard postcard?

ISPs will usually send out cease and desist notices. I have a friend who, after a night of seeding a torrent of 'questionable' content, received a notice from his ISP to cut it out. He said they listed both the file and the tracker. What was surprising was that it came through email as opposed to physical mail (the email was legit for those wondering).

But I highly doubt they would send you a freakin' postcard. It's like sending someone a college admittance letter on the back of a milk carton.

 

[ActionableMango]

The post card is a scam.

You can find examples of real cease and desist letters from ISPs on the Internet. Typically, they post your IP, time/date of infraction, offending filename, a reminder that illegal use constitutes a violation of the terms of service you agree to, a warning not to do it any more, and a threat to cut off service if you do.

The ISP never asks for money in these letters.

The only time I've ever head of money being asked for is the copyright holder of the offending file, typically music or a movie, demanding a settlement fee in order to waive a civil copyright lawsuit for a much larger amount.

If you can, post an image of the postcard (remove personal information) so we can look at it and be sure.

 

[goMac]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Scam scam scam.

Report it to the police.

ISPs can't collect money for this. That's the giveaway.

 

[vja4Him]

Got the WPA2 set up, with MAC addresses for our three computers. Changed name of network to nonsense, with a 15-character pre-shared key.

Also turned off File Sharing, and set Firewall to maximum.

Have Admin password for Router set up (would only allow 15 characters max).

Will also unplug router when not using computer(s).

 

[vja4Him]

How can I hide the SSID, and still be able to get online with my Archos 70 Internet Tablet?

 

[goMac]

How can I hide the SSID, and still be able to get online with my Archos 70 Internet Tablet?

You don't need to. WPA2 is good enough.

Pretty sure it's a scam anyway.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

How can I hide the SSID, and still be able to get online with my Archos 70 Internet Tablet?

Debunking Myths: Is Hiding Your Wireless SSID Really More Secure?

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