yossicl Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/12...r_mac_os_x.html By Aidan Malley Published: 08:15 PM EST After years of jabbing Microsoft for the seeming need to run antivirus software on Windows, Apple has quietly posted its own recommendation for similar security with its own operating system. The knowledge base article, posted roughly a week and a half ago, doesn't go so far as to say the software is necessary but still advocates "widespread use" of more than one antivirus package to minimize security risks. By using more than one piece of security software, virus writers can't assume that there will be a particular security suite to bypass, Apple says. In Windows, more advanced viruses already know to look for certain defense suites and will mask themselves or even disable the protection to make their tasks easier. Apple currently recommends Intego's VirusBarrier X5, McAfee's VirusScan for Mac, and Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus 11. The posting isn't necessarily a reversal of opinions for Apple, though it does reflect an overall softening of its opinions. While one of the first "Get a Mac" TV spots in 2006 made fun of Windows' susceptibility to viruses and portrayed the Mac as near-immune, the current campaign doesn't mention this point. The company's current FAQ for curious switchers also simply says that Mac OS X "resists most viruses" and doesn't make any blanket statements. At present, there isn't any immediate cause for a change in Apple strategy. Outside of proofs of concept, few instances exist of widely propagated viruses or other malicious code for the Mac. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
hecker Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Bla, bla. Show me a virus for OS X, first. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-984998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embio Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 you could argue that Windows viruses are spread by Macs as well via e-mail Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrupted Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 ^^Hence why you should still run an antivirus, to keep your Windows friends safe. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hecker Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 ^^Hence why you should still run an antivirus, to keep your Windows friends safe. I think that it is the Windows user's responsability to have an antivirus program on their PC, not ours. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
geiman Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Bla, bla. Show me a virus for OS X, first. Unfortunately for us, there are viruses for unix-based systems, it's just that they're not nearly as popular as windows machines so no one has bothered to target them. As Mac's gain popularity, that trend is probably going to turn around, I'll dread the day when I need to worry about virus protection again. But I don't think we need to worry; even when I used a windows machine I never had virus protection, you just have to watch what you do online, and not click on every link that pops up or open every email. It just takes common sense. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8edgepunker Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Honestly, I don't see the point. To date, there hasn't been a virus or spyware threat for Mac OS X that wasn't a proof of concept. Until such a point that there is a tangible and significant threat for the Mac, I will never install AV software on it. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmcnano Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 As geiman said, I had never used an antivirus even in Windows, you just need to be smart while exploring........And also I do think that OSX doesnt have virus just because the % of people that uses OSX is minimal, but I do believe that with the price drops of the Apple computer and the hakint0sh scene, MacOSX is gaining a significant % on the matter, so I do expect to see OSX virus in a near future. Its just common sense imo, why make a virus for MacOSX if i can make a virus for windows and affect the 90% (or w/e %) of the computers! ^^ Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985400 Share on other sites More sharing options...
geiman Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 As geiman said, I had never used an antivirus even in Windows, you just need to be smart while exploring........And also I do think that OSX doesnt have virus just because the % of people that uses OSX is minimal, but I do believe that with the price drops of the Apple computer and the hakint0sh scene, MacOSX is gaining a significant % on the matter, so I do expect to see OSX virus in a near future. Its just common sense imo, why make a virus for MacOSX if i can make a virus for windows and affect the 90% (or w/e %) of the computers! ^^ Yeah exactly, it's not that there are no flaws in the unix subsystem; if that were the case we wouldn't get security updates every so often, when we get those patches they are fixing what a virus could exploit. Just like this: http://www.symantec.com/security_response/...-110217-1331-99 No it's not a deadly virus, but it just goes to show that no OS is invincible; as long as humans create our computing environments they will be laced with flaws. I guess Mac gaining popularity is both a good and a bad thing. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielmramos Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 It may be that they want people to be protected from trojans. Some people just like to click through. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985483 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGJulius Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Yeah but if you're going to make a virus, would you create one for ~9% (OS X) or ~90% (Windows) of the computer market? This article goes to show that its not really the OS that makes apple's "No virus" ideals true... its just that they have such a low % of the computer market it would be impractical to make a virus for os x I'm not saying that OS X isn't safe, but if the percentages were to flip I wouldn't think it would be any better than vista in keeping out viruses Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985578 Share on other sites More sharing options...
inimicus Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 ^^Hence why you should still run an antivirus, to keep your Windows friends safe. Windows friends? What Windows friends? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985633 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Nonny Moose Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Its just common sense imo, why make a virus for MacOSX if i can make a virus for windows and affect the 90% (or w/e %) of the computers! I seriously need to do this as a most frequent WRONG comment..."security through obscurity" Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-985924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Yeah, looks like it's over - Apple has removed said Antivirus page. http://www.macworld.com/article/137267/200...rusremoved.html Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-986217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrix Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Yeah, looks like it's over - Apple has removed said Antivirus page.http://www.macworld.com/article/137267/200...rusremoved.html Not only that but from what I've read, it was a page UPDATE of an old old page, not a new recommendation to run anti-virus... Just as usual bloggers and "journalists" blowing things out of proportion. I don't even know why I quoted journalists. Real ones blow things out of proportion too. Patrix. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-986750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielmramos Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Ha, I wonder who the goober was that posted that old Kb note? What a mess. I am sure that tech support got a chewing out. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-986771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxintosh Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 Hence why you should still run an antivirus, to keep your Windows friends safe. I'd have to strongly disagree with this. In the first place friends don't let friends use windows in the first place. If someone is ignorant enough to buy and use a windows system, then it's NOT the Mac communities responsibility to protect them, that's not our job. Windows users already know that viruses are part of the windows experience. There is no way that I'm going to pay good money for software that will only bloat up my Mac, just to protect some windows fanboy. If and when they get tired of viruses then they already know that Macs are a good alternative. As far as the article is concerned I agree with Hecker, there is no need for Mac anti-virus software. Show me a REAL need and then I'll consider it. One of the reasons why I switched to a Mac was because I was sick and tired of the whole daily windows 'maintenance' routine. I have enjoyed my Mac 10 times more than any windows computer, which is probably why I went out and bought a new Macbook Pro just the other day, and I'll probably buy another one in Q1 2009 when Apple comes out with other new models. BTW - anyone see the new issue of Maclife? Some interesting new products are being talked about. Click here to see them, and click here to read more about them This article goes to show that its not really the OS that makes apple's "No virus" ideals true... its just that they have such a low % of the computer market That is the most ignorant things I've ever read on this forum. I know there are 'parrots' on other forums that just repeat what they've heard on the internet, but one would hope that someone from here would actually do a little bit of research before making such a false statement Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-988170 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGJulius Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 That is the most ignorant things I've ever read on this forum. I know there are 'parrots' on other forums that just repeat what they've heard on the internet, but one would hope that someone from here would actually do a little bit of research before making such a false statement LMAO trust me I'm not a Meno I got my info from a very trusted tech who uses Macs and PC's daily after I brought up the question to him. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-988200 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxintosh Posted December 4, 2008 Share Posted December 4, 2008 I got my info from a very trusted tech Well then tell your "very trusted tech" to do some research. Spreading misinformation helps no one. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-988205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Yeah, looks like it's over - Apple has removed said Antivirus page.http://www.macworld.com/article/137267/200...rusremoved.html Wow... this has got to be the dumbest thing I have seen Apple do in a long time... (no, not removing the Antivirus page, that was smart.) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-989428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxintosh Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Meh.... Bill Gates was probably visiting and did it as a practical joke Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-989438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluprint101 Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Honestly i Agree with "Hecker" and "Maxintosh" but What would really be useful besides the misinformation and the spreading of rumors would be a Detailed Article on how Mac's Are not susceptible to viruses or immune to viruses or other known little threats.... It should be well informed giving factual reasons why. the kind written by a very well knowledgeable and credible person by the community i think that would put this question to rest. I love the Mac OSX too much to have to deal with viruses later in Time i hope not Plus........ If we have to make windows friends let it be based on video gaming and other very productive softwares suits (not Supported, but widely used) that will clearing level the playing Field on why Mac's are better than Pc's I'm Sure There are iMac's at Heavens Gate..... we don't want Windows friends Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-989737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxintosh Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 Honestly i Agree with "Hecker" and "Maxintosh"but What would really be useful besides the misinformation and the spreading of rumors would be a Detailed Article on how Mac's Are not susceptible to viruses or immune to viruses or other known little threats.... Hi Bluprint101 If you search this site you'll find one or two post which explains this. In the event that the search engine on this site doesn't work very well (hey it's been known to happen) just let me know and I'll try to post several links to articles which cover this topic in more depth as time permits. It basically comes down to the differences in OS framework. Also, this is not just about windows VS. OS X. The 'market share' myth has been tried with other companies as well and it doesn't work with them either, because it is just that - an ill thought out half-baked myth. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-989909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ankiel Posted December 7, 2008 Share Posted December 7, 2008 I know why Mac users don't get all these security problems. No one that uses a Mac is dumb enough to actually click all the links you see about free iPods, viagra, and other nonsense. All those morons have eMachines and dells Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-991285 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hecker Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 I know why Mac users don't get all these security problems. No one that uses a Mac is dumb enough to actually click all the links you see about free iPods, viagra, and other nonsense. All those morons have eMachines and dells Erm, no not really. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/139142-apple-now-encourages-antivirus-use-for-mac-os-x/#findComment-991507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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