New iMAC owner's questions

[chuan]

Hi Aall,

I just purchased my new 27inch iMac basic model upgraded to 8gigs of rAM. While the computer is a beauty, this being my first MAC, i have a lot to learn ahead of me.

Here's my first of many questions. This morning, as I was on hotmail, I guess I accidentally clicked on one of their stupid advertisements and it automatically downloaded some some malware protector. Luckily, I didn't click on install. But it just automatically installed the file (MPKG?) to my DOWNLOAD folder.

My question is: how do I make the MAC warn me before downloading?

I know that MACs are generally free of virus and malware. But what happened this morning got me a little worried.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MythicFrost]

Fear not. To my knowledge, there isn't a thing -- malware, virus, trojan, etc. -- that can affect you by simply downloading it. As long as you don't run it or install it, you should be absolutely fine.

The answer to your question, would be Edit > Preferences > Select the first tab > Prompt before downloading.

 

[chuan]

thank you

Thanks so much for your reply.

I feel very stupid for asking this. But I didn't see any PREFERENCE setting in EDIT. There is a preference setting in SAFARI. But it simply asks you where to save downloaded files to. I don't see that option to prompt.

ANy additional detail would be useful. Thanks again!!

 

[MythicFrost]

Thanks so much for your reply.

I feel very stupid for asking this. But I didn't see any PREFERENCE setting in EDIT. There is a preference setting in SAFARI. But it simply asks you where to save downloaded files to. I don't see that option to prompt.

ANy additional detail would be useful. Thanks again!!

No worries

Oh sorry that's my fault. I'm using Safari in Windows right now.

It's under the Safari file menu. Safari > Preferences > etc.

The option to prompt you first should be a check box directly below the list box that allows you to set where the files are downloaded.

 

[chuan]

Thanks again for the fast response.

I am using Safari 5.0.5

I guess they did away with this option. I am in Safari - Preferences - General And right under "Save downloaded files to:" Is "Remove download list items."

The only option where they allow you to click is "Open SAFE files after downloading"

There is absolutely no option to let you click that prompt.

Weird right?

 

[Hellhammer]

The only option where they allow you to click is "Open SAFE files after downloading"

There is absolutely no option to let you click that prompt.

Uncheck that box. I guess that is what MythicFrost meant but it might be different in Windows, thus the slight confusion.

 

[chuan]

Uncheck that box. I guess that is what MythicFrost meant but it might be different in Windows, thus the slight confusion.

Hellhammer - thank you. I unchecked that box (just checked and it's still unchecked). Clicked on a pic to download and it didn't prompt and saved automatically to download folder.

Very odd. Do you have your files automatically go to download as well?

 

[CubeHacker]

Thanks again for the fast response.

I am using Safari 5.0.5

I guess they did away with this option. I am in Safari - Preferences - General And right under "Save downloaded files to:" Is "Remove download list items."

The only option where they allow you to click is "Open SAFE files after downloading"

There is absolutely no option to let you click that prompt.

Weird right?

Uncheck the box that reads "open safe files after downloading". That will prevent Safari from automatically opening things like zip files when downloaded.

 

[Hellhammer]

Hellhammer - thank you. I unchecked that box (just checked and it's still unchecked). Clicked on a pic to download and it didn't prompt and saved automatically to download folder.

Very odd. Do you have your files automatically go to download as well?

I don't think Safari offers something like that. What you just did prevents downloaded files from being opened automatically. This improves security as otherwise a malicious file could execute itself automatically.

Chrome and I think Firefox have a feature to let you select the location of each download, i.e. ask you before downloading.

 

[MythicFrost]

Thanks again for the fast response.

I am using Safari 5.0.5

I guess they did away with this option. I am in Safari - Preferences - General And right under "Save downloaded files to:" Is "Remove download list items."

The only option where they allow you to click is "Open SAFE files after downloading"

There is absolutely no option to let you click that prompt.

Weird right?

Mmm, I see. That's weird, I've got it here in Safari 5.0.x for Windows. It might not be an option in the Mac version, oops

 

[GGJstudios]

I know that MACs are generally free of virus and malware. But what happened this morning got me a little worried.

For complete details about this lame threat and to put your mind at ease, read this:

Mac Virus/Malware Info​

 

[chuan]

For complete details about this lame threat and to put your mind at ease, read this:

Mac Virus/Malware Info​

thank you all. I love my iMAC!

 

[Badger^2]

No viruses to effect OS X. Theres a new malware bit out there (maybe the first one in 10 years?) that wants you to download virus software -- see my first statement -- but it doesnt actually do anything to your mac.

They just want your money when you pay for the software that does nothing.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

http://www.lynda.com/home/ViewCourses.aspx?lpk0=67

I guess its too late to tell you to buy your ram somewhere else for 1/2 the cost. Takes 1 screw to install. My 7 year old could do it.

 

[50548]

Mmm, I see. That's weird, I've got it here in Safari 5.0.x for Windows. It might not be an option in the Mac version, oops

Simple: the Mac ALWAYS asks this question for newly-downloaded apps, system-wide. Not for docs, of course (which would be a pain in the ass).