Do you invest in Antivirus protection?

[HALE101]

Hey guys , just wondering if you guys have bought an antivirus program ? Last year I used bitfinder and I just switched to Mcafee total protection. I know Macs don't get virus usually but I thought since I invested so much money for my 2017 model I thought id just buy one just to be 100 percent protected. Am I the only one who invested in a one of these programs ?

Thanks

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I haven't "invested" in one, but I do use one. I just use Avast free version. It's pretty non-intrusive, and I don't feel that I need the "pro" version.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Waste of money at this point in time. Better off using Malwarebytes and running it once a week.

 

[chscag]

You don't need an AV program as there are no viruses in the wild that can infect your Mac. Malware yes, viruses no. McAfee is a known resource hog and should be removed. All you need is to use a scanner app for malware. Download the free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware app and use it.

 

[oldhifi]

YEA what he said ^^^^^

 

[mattguy10]

What everyone else said. Keep in mind though, no matter how many “protection” programs you have on your device, no one is ever 100 % protected.

 

[Mr. Heckles]

I haven’t used one yet.

 

[prisstratton]

I came from a Windows world and started using a Mac in 2009. Some habits are very hard to get rid of and ever since I switched over I have scanned my systems once per week, every week. In all of that time I have NEVER found anything.

 

[sergeyz]

I started using Macs in 2009 as well and have never used antivirus applications here.

 

[Queen6]

No need for a paid solution with the Mac, Avast for active scanning and or Malwarebytes/Bitdefenderfor on demand scans are more than adequate.

Q-6

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Avast used here, its free works well and makes little to no impact on system speed.

 

[MacDawg]

I know some get all worked up and argue to the contrary
But in my opinion and experience, paid versions are a waste of money and resources
And free versions are just a waste of resources

If you feel the need to scan for Windows viruses, etc. in MS Office files and emails to protect your Windows friends, <shrug> go ahead
Otherwise, running Malwarebytes occasionally when you feel you might have a problem with malware or adware is sufficient

 

[robvas]

heck no

 

[millerj123]

Only on my Windows computers, and on those, always.

 

[Chundles]

Haven’t had a virus scanner on my Macs ever.

 

[diggy33]

I do, but only because I have a mixed OS environment in my household.

 

[robvas]

You're not going to get a Mac virus (if there was such a thing) from a windows PC anyway

 

[Fishrrman]

You don't need "antivirus" software on the Mac.

What you DO need is malware/adware detection software.
Use the FREE "MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Mac":
https://www.malwarebytes.com

Note:
The "free" version IS the "pay for" version.
It will ask if you want to "upgrade" to the paid version for 30 days.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS.
After 30 days, the software will stop asking to upgrade, and will become "completely free".

It has detected and REMOVED some adware I encountered in the past.
Good software.

 

[ProTruckDriver]

For Windows: Yes
For the Mac: Yes

 

[Mr. Dee]

I have to say, since I bought my Mac in 2015, I have not installed an Antivirus and its probably not a smart thing to do. The idea of Macs being inherently secure by design are bygone days. Its just as mainstream as Windows and is susceptible to phishing attacks just the same. I have exclusive access to get a full copy of ESET for free which has a Mac version. Seeing this thread reminded me of that.

Windows Defender has gotten exceptionally good since Windows 10, so, thats about all the AV I use on it. I also use Linux too, but I am very cautious when dealing with sensitive information on either platform. For instance, I use Firefox and Private mode when browsing financial data. Also, for things like Paypal and my bank, I prefer using the apps on my iPhone which ties into my biometrics and 2FA.

But thanks for reminding me about this though. Ultimately, common sense prevails though and email remains one of the the most obvious ways you can be easily fooled.

 

[bopajuice]

I have been using Macs since the 1990's. Never used protection and never had a virus or anything for that matter. Ever. Waste of money in my opinion. Now if you are talking about computers that's a different story...
[doublepost=1527656967][/doublepost]

I have to say, since I bought my Mac in 2015, I have not installed an Antivirus and its probably not a smart thing to do. The idea of Macs being inherently secure by design are bygone days. Its just as mainstream as Windows and is susceptible to phishing attacks just the same. I have exclusive access to get a full copy of ESET for free which has a Mac version. Seeing this thread reminded me of that.

Windows Defender has gotten exceptionally good since Windows 10, so, thats about all the AV I use on it. I also use Linux too, but I am very cautious when dealing with sensitive information on either platform. For instance, I use Firefox and Private mode when browsing financial data. Also, for things like Paypal and my bank, I prefer using the apps on my iPhone which ties into my biometrics and 2FA.

But thanks for reminding me about this though. Ultimately, common sense prevails though and email remains one of the the most obvious ways you can be easily fooled.

I thought a Phishing attack was looking for information. It does not attack you computer, plant a virus, log keystrokes, or steal data from your computer. It does as the name says. Phishes for your login credentials or private information, but you have to provide it. The OS is not affected. You don't need virus software to protect your from phishing, You need common sense.

It fools the user into providing information, it does not infect an Apple computer. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Schranke]

With my first Mac back in 2010 I had one for a year before deleting it and moving onto having Little Snitch (for network monitoring), Adblock and anti tracking for when I use the web. The scans I have done infrequently with anti maleware programs never showed anything.

Instead of using money on antivirus programs, I would recommend getting little snitch as it will give you more control of your incoming and outgoing communications, which would also give you a notification if anything new tries to connect out

 

[smallcoffee]

Hey guys , just wondering if you guys have bought an antivirus program ? Last year I used bitfinder and I just switched to Mcafee total protection. I know Macs don't get virus usually but I thought since I invested so much money for my 2017 model I thought id just buy one just to be 100 percent protected. Am I the only one who invested in a one of these programs ?

Thanks

Buying a computer is never an investment.

Buying anti-virus is also never an investment - it's an insurance product, and a very poor one at that.

 

[Schranke]

Buying a computer is never an investment.

In the common sense no, you will not be able to get a higher price for it down the road.
But an investment is also something which allows for higher productivity or quality of an output. If having a computer increases what you do or the quality in such degree that when the livetime of the computer is over you would have covered the cost + created extra value, it is an investment.

Buying anti-virus is also never an investment - it's an insurance product, and a very poor one at that.

That one is however correct

 

[smallcoffee]

In the common sense no, you will not be able to get a higher price for it down the road.
But an investment is also something which allows for higher productivity or quality of an output. If having a computer increases what you do or the quality in such degree that when the livetime of the computer is over you would have covered the cost + created extra value, it is an investment.

A reasonable argument and I would agree, but I think as a community we should refrain from calling a Mac an investment because, to be frank, I believe that most people aren't buying a new computer for "work" or producing more value than the cost of the machine.