Switcher needs help...

[Danrose1977]

Hi,

I'm a long time windows user (Network admin for a UK based ISP and hosting company) who ordered a 12' iBook over the weekend.

Thank you, thank you.... you can stop the aplause now...

What I am wondering is, when I take reciept of Windows based laptops for corporate use my first action is to pop an antivirus program on them. For my personal use I use AVG free edition (from www.grisoft.com). Are there any free virus software programs for mac that any of you can suggest?

Its not that I am cheap or anything but.... oh wait, no.. I am cheap !

Dan

 

[Dippo]

I would like to be the first to say that you probably don't need antivirus software on a Mac....

But I guess it's a good idea just in case, but I don't know of any free Mac Antivirius software off the top of my head...

Anyone else help him?

 

[Applespider]

If you're considering getting .Mac, then you'll get Virex included in that. Depends on whether you'll use the other features of .Mac enough to consider it free?

I decided that the ability to share pics/movies with people when I didn't want to build a webpage specifically for those pics/movies made it worthwhile. Also ability to share some files easily

 

[Danrose1977]

I had heard that virus "infestations" were less common on Mac that Windows, simply due to the lower numbers of mac viruses (Virii?). I think I will give it a miss and just be more fastidious with my mail filtering and downloads.

Cheers for the pointers!

 

[stoid]

I had heard that virus "infestations" were less common on Mac that Windows, simply due to the lower numbers of mac viruses (Virii?). I think I will give it a miss and just be more fastidious with my mail filtering and downloads.

Cheers for the pointers!

I have been using a new PowerBook all school year, and while all the Windows boxes on campus are continually being infested and scourged, I have not been able to participate in all the 'fun'. I have used the Mac OS since the Macintosh Classic both at home and at a high school using all Macs, and the only virus I ever encountered was one Microsoft Word marcos virus back in OS 8 on a Performa 6320CD. Without turning this into a discussion of why Macs don't get as many viruses,I'd say that you don't have to worry ever that your new pearly white has caught the flu.

 

[Torajima]

You don't need antivirus software on the Mac. And you don't really need Firewall software either, as a Firewall is included with Mac os x (you'll need to turn it on though).

One of the reason's I'm trying to switch our company over to Macs is I'm sick and tired of dealing with viruses and Anti-Virus software on PCs.

 

[dukemeiser]

I had heard that virus "infestations" were less common on Mac that Windows, simply due to the lower numbers of mac viruses (Virii?). I think I will give it a miss and just be more fastidious with my mail filtering and downloads.

Actually, they are non-existant. Mac OS X is 100% virus free. The major reason being that any installations require a password. So not only would you have to execute the program on a Mac, but you'd have to authorize it too. I have several Macs (actually a 12" iBook as my primary), and I don't have virus software for any of them. That's part of the lower total cost of ownership.

 

[rt_brained]

I don't want to be overly critical of the comments made in this (Macrumors) arena, but as proud as we are about the infrequency of virus/worm attacks on the Mac, it's one of those issues we're beter off not boasting about or celebrating openly.

While OS X is a formidable defender, it's not infallable. The people who write computer viruses are by nature, problem solvers, so the more you boast about this issue in a public forum such as this, the more you become a beacon to those who'd like to figure out how to prove you wrong.

A number of corporations and gov't. organizations are switching platforms, but refuse to publicize it openly for the same reason.

 

[stoid]

I don't want to be overly critical of the comments made in this (Macrumors) arena, but as proud as we are about the infrequency of virus/worm attacks on the Mac, it's one of those issues we're beter off not boasting about or celebrating openly.

I know this is probably going to come off as being a Mac bigot or zealot, and chances are I'll get flamed for saying this, but:

BRING IT HACKER VIRUS WRITING BIIIAAAAAAATCHESSS!!!!

YOUR MOTHER WAS A HAMSTER, AND YOUR FATHER SMELLED OF ELDERBERRIES!!!
I WAVE MY PRIVATE PARTS AT YOUR AUNTIES SONS OF A SILLY PERSON!!
COME ONLY IF YE BE MEN OF VALOR, FOR DEATH AWAITS THEE WITH BIG POINTY TEETH!!!

NI!

I'm sorry if this actually incurs the wrath of the underworld, but I'm tired of people telling me not to be HAPPY that my OS doesn't get infected by the drove of viruses that plague the Windows world. I will NOT hide my uniqueness! I will proclaim it from the mountaintop, shining as a beacon of light in a dark time!

[/ZEALOT LIKE TALKING]