[Ken Gracey]

Look out there is a new Mac AntiVirus program on the market, thats actually a Virus.

No I am not getting tongue tied, It's a Free app masquerading as something that will rid you Mac of Malware and nasty Viruses, But in actual fact, its Doing The Reverse

Full story here at Intego

[Tim Grey]

Pretty nasty. Looks like the time of Mac viruses is finally upon us...

[Jim]

Top find Ken. just rang the wife to update the definitions on the AV software. Intego Scored 70 bucks off me this year for software, a bit of peace of mind I suppose for now considering the issues with Sony at the moment,least it gives me half a chance to thwart their efforts.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JZ]

Hmmm.... Yeah read about that this morning. Might have start ti consider antivirus.

[Stubzee]

thanks Ken, one can never be to careful.
I have been using Trend Micro ( previously reviewed on MacWorld), while i haven't had a problem at this stage the peace of mind it gives was worth the installation.
Gordon

[Dylstra]

Um, isn't that malware or Trojan software as opposed to a virus?

[Islandhead]

I'd say it doesn't really matter what you call it, virus, malware, whatever. What is intriguing is that this is targeted at macs specifically and we'll be seeing more and more of this kind of thing in my opinion.

[BrianB]

Well, if anyone wants to buy Anti Virus software, i have mentioned this in another post, but there is a Spring Software bundle happening at the moment, and one of the Apps is Integos Virus Barrier 6. You also get an additional 9 other Apps all for $49.99 US.

On it's own Virus barrier 6 costs $49.95 US.

So this could be a good deal.

Check it out Here

[Dylstra]

Malware and Trojans targeting Macs are nothing new. When iWork 09 came out a bit torrent version had a Trojan also inside.

[Ken Gracey]

The difference with iWorks 09, was the Trojan was only found in the pirated version.

[media-sorcerer]

thanx for the heads up,

[Dylstra]

Ken Gracey, on 03 May 2011 - 05:37 PM, said:

The difference with iWorks 09, was the Trojan was only found in the pirated version.

That's true, but the point remains the same: Only download software from a trusted source.

The thing for me that makes anti-virus a non-option is that there aren't any Mac viruses in the wild. The biggest threats to Mac security are the users. Malware, Trojans, phishing, et al are different from viruses in that they all require the user to be duped in order to be effective. Additionally, most anti-virus programs have limited effectiveness against those sorts of threats, though some changes are occurring, I believe.

Secondly, Malware, etc. are a user problem, viruses are a community problem. By this I mean, a malware infected Mac doesn't pose much of a threat to others (assuming they avoid the same pitfalls) but a virus is a community problem in that it can spread virtually by itself. Every article I've ever read on the topic "Should you run anti-virus on your Mac?" includes the point that by running anti-virus on a Mac can help stop the spread of Windows viruses. I don't find that a compelling argument. In fact, the saving on a yearly anti-virus subscription was part of the equation when I was first thinking about getting a Mac. The argument went something like, "Yes, dear, a Mac is a bit more expensive but you have to add the cost of AV software to the price of a PC..."

The point is, if you are sensible online (and why wouldn't you all be, you're all part of the AMW forum ) then you can do without AV software.

[Ken Gracey]

I never had much concern for viruses myself, until the wife starting playing with the mac ( and thank god she doesn't know the admin password) she is a sucker for pressing those flashing links, that pop up saying you computer has a Virus, press here to scan, or some sort of garbage like that.

To me, these sort of pop up messages, mixed with peoples lack of understanding, of how easy they can mess up your mac are a major concern.

[arcanedevice]

Ken Gracey, on 04 May 2011 - 09:43 AM, said:

a sucker for pressing those flashing links, that pop up saying you computer has a Virus, press here to scan, or some sort of garbage like that.

these sort of pop up messages, mixed with peoples lack of understanding, of how easy they can mess up your mac are a major concern.

and therein lies the problem as the use of Macs increases. The target becomes larger and much more viable for those inclined to corrupt.

I have noticed that Apple have changed their 'no viruses' stance over the last year or so to a more accurate 'no windows viruses' but the big thing is that they can still be used to spread windows viruses wherever cross-platform environments exist.

Whenever these things come out from anti-virus vendors though, I'm always a little dubious about claims that it is 'in the wild'...

[Tim Grey]

Dylstra, on 03 May 2011 - 11:30 PM, said:

That's true, but the point remains the same: Only download software from a trusted source.

The thing for me that makes anti-virus a non-option is that there aren't any Mac viruses in the wild. The biggest threats to Mac security are the users. Malware, Trojans, phishing, et al are different from viruses in that they all require the user to be duped in order to be effective. Additionally, most anti-virus programs have limited effectiveness against those sorts of threats, though some changes are occurring, I believe.

Secondly, Malware, etc. are a user problem, viruses are a community problem. By this I mean, a malware infected Mac doesn't pose much of a threat to others (assuming they avoid the same pitfalls) but a virus is a community problem in that it can spread virtually by itself. Every article I've ever read on the topic "Should you run anti-virus on your Mac?" includes the point that by running anti-virus on a Mac can help stop the spread of Windows viruses. I don't find that a compelling argument. In fact, the saving on a yearly anti-virus subscription was part of the equation when I was first thinking about getting a Mac. The argument went something like, "Yes, dear, a Mac is a bit more expensive but you have to add the cost of AV software to the price of a PC..."

The point is, if you are sensible online (and why wouldn't you all be, you're all part of the AMW forum ) then you can do without AV software.

Very fair point, Dylstra...

[Dylstra]

Here is an article titled, "Why malware for Macs is on its way."

There's lots of facts and figures and details, but the gist is the "security through obscurity" argument. Which I just don't buy, but maybe I'm thinking crooks are a bit more enterprising than they are really.

[Dylstra]

This is an interesting twist that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere. In all the reports I read, initial contact with the malware was made through a poisoned Google image search. This article says that they are now trying to lure victims through Facebook.

[Ken Gracey]

Well I am not a fan of Facebook, so I guess I am a little safer than most.