Security Software advice? Intego VirusBarrier X5 VS Norton Internet Security

[bluetooth]

Hi, I am planning on purchasing a MacMini 2.66Ghz, 4GB Memory, 320GB HD and am looking into security software.

Now I know a lot of people will say not to bother with it as it is not necessary with Macs, but for my own peace of mind and due to the fact that I receive and send out a lot of second hand, external files (for occasional design work), I want to be protected and also be sure that I am not carrying and sending/passing off any viruses/corrupt files to future clients.

I realize that either will likely slow the OS down a bit, but I am wondering if anyone has experience or knows if one is more effecient than the other? They are both the same in cost, similar specs, so I am more interested in whether or not one is less taxing on the OS or performance of the CPU?

Intego VirusBarrier X5 & NetBarrier X5 Bundle $79.95

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/TU462LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mw&mco=MTA4NTE3NDE

Norton Internet Security Dual Protection for Mac $79.95

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/TV634VC/A?n=security&fnode=MTY1NDA1Mw&mco=MTU3NDYxNzU&s=topSellers

*I would opt for Norton dual because I have PC's in the house as well so would be killing 2 birds with one stone, but I don't mind paying for them separate if the Intego is in fact less taxing on the Mac OS.

Cheers,

 

[LynnW]

ClamXav is all you need and it is free.

 

[dbwie]

Here is a nice series of articles related to Mac security (some general tips for all computer users, and some Mac specific precautions):

http://www.macworld.com/article/145438/2010/01/macsecurityreality.html?lsrc=top_2

You may want to consider ClamAV antivirus software for Mac. It's donation-ware (free to use but asks for donations). It recognized a file attachment that was a PC virus which I suppose I could have passed on to others, but it was harmless to my Mac. Check out ClamAV at:

http://www.clamxav.com/

I'm running version 2.0.5. It works fine.

 

[iAlexG]

I got VirusBarrier X5 in the free nanoBundle last year from MacHeist and its great, doesnt slow down my Mac at all but I would not have purchased this because the threat is low and ClamXav gets the job done.

 

[thermodynamic]

Intego X6 blocks iTunes and Apple.com downloads, despite having ContentBarrier disabled for my account so I could have, in theory, full internet access. Some things are prevented for no rhyme nor reason. Even adding in itunes.apple.com and others as suggested by Apple support had no effect.

Intego's support department is stumped as I haven't heard anything back yet, but now having read others are having similar problems, I'm increasingly tempted to purchase Trend. Symantec for Windows is garbage and has been for YEARS, so why would they be any better for the Mac?