New Mac users forum: Does a Mac really need Anti Virus Software

Right now there are no active viruses out there that attack the Mac.

There are a number of Trojans than can cause minor problems but nothing on the scale of Windows.

AV software will NOT protect your from any attempt to steal card numbers.

Best defense for that is to be absolutely sure of where you are giving your card numbers out.

There are a number of AV apps for OSX, ClamXAV is one of them. This is free.

I would not recommend anything from Symantec (Norton) or Mcaffee.

The majority of Mac users do not run any AV software at all.


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It concerns the BootCamp as well. One must have AV software if running Windows, unless the Internet is never accessed from Windows.

how can one get a virus?

any computer connected to your ISP is "on the internet"

There are literally thousands of ports on a computer that can communicate with the outside world and, in turn, can be communicated with.

There are a considerable number of virus applications that just sit there running through all the available ports, looking for an open one.
Once it finds one, it inserts its payload and moves on. This is an automated process and it can scan huge numbers of machines at a time.

Please do not make the mistake of thinking that if you don't launch a browser, or check email, that you are NOT on the internet. If the wireless is on or the ethernet cable is connected, then that machine is ON the internet.

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that comes from Norton or Mcaffee.

However, in this case, take advantage of the offer from Comcast and install the Symantec (Norton) AV on the Windows side of your Mac, even though it has a reputation of being a resource hog.

AVG has a decent reputation, it's also free.

On another note, I notice that Comcast are also offering the Mac version of the Symantec AV application. I have ignored it. One wonders just what it is protecting against!

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Not sure about the lawsuits statement though.

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"All the techs tell me a MAC does not need Anti Virus Software. If not what is the best way to protect yourself online. Card numbers etc."

Anti-Virus software does not protect your credit card info given out online.