Mac Advisory - AV software

[Faolan]

Apple is now advising owners to install AV software (albeit a fairly low-key afair) which goes against the prevalent view that Macs are secure.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2550

This may seem like Mac bashing, but we all know the PC faults now Mac owners start to face yours. The real concern unlike PCs which have free alternatives there isn't any being recommended for a Mac...

I can only assume that Apple is now realising that there is some serious vulnerabilities in it's various apps (notably Safari) that could lead to problems on the OS.

If you run a Mac for a business it's maybe time to consider your InfoSec procedures to ensure your data is safe and your system stays secure.

[neil_g]

ooh ooh ooh...

I TOLD YOU SO!

:p

[Pete]

You might be well served to read this article.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/52722-the-mac-os-x-malware-myth-continues

As a Mac user myself, I will continue to run my system without bloating it with an AV/anti-malware suite of programs that I used to when I had a Vista laptop.

[Faolan]

Note I didn't target OS X per se, I mentioned apps. It was Safari that allowed the HackCon Pwn2own to crack the OS X platform in 2 days. OS X was the first platform not Vista, Ubuntu was the only platform to survive unhacked. It's apps that's now become Vista's biggest vulnerability this is from their own statistics from crash dumps being generated and also the monthly Malicious Software Removal Tool reports.

Apples reputation in the InfoSec community is a joke, and they've ignored flaws for months (and in some cases years). At least M$ is now being proactive with it's flaws whilst Apple are still trying to hold on to the 'image' of being invulnerable. If Apple is serious about taking on M$ they have to face up to reality.

If you don't believe me look at 2007...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758

I'm not starting a PC Vs Mac debate what I am saying is that you better start paying attention to security. If Mac still manages to claw more user base in America I can assure you the criminal community will be interested in that market share...

[OdiN1701]

Well if you practice common sense practices in browsing and computing, you really don't NEED an AV program. I don't run anything on Vista.

Anyone with only basic computer knowledge should isntall AV on PC or Mac. But more advanced users should have no issue.

[MaxxuM]

Apple is now advising owners to install AV software (albeit a fairly low-key afair) which goes against the prevalent view that Macs are secure.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2550

This may seem like Mac bashing, but we all know the PC faults now Mac owners start to face yours. The real concern unlike PCs which have free alternatives there isn't any being recommended for a Mac...

I can only assume that Apple is now realising that there is some serious vulnerabilities in it's various apps (notably Safari) that could lead to problems on the OS.

If you run a Mac for a business it's maybe time to consider your InfoSec procedures to ensure your data is safe and your system stays secure.

The way I read it is they are saying that Mac's may be spreading viruses and that installing an anti-virus program will aid in the prevention of viruses as a whole. I do not see any thing admitting that viruses are becoming a worry for Mac users.

[MaxxuM]

Well if you practice common sense practices in browsing and computing, you really don't NEED an AV program. I don't run anything on Vista.

Anyone with only basic computer knowledge should isntall AV on PC or Mac. But more advanced users should have no issue.

Do you use Defender, MS Firewall or a router firewall? Do you use a script monitor/disabler on firefox and do you have Java enabled by default?

[OdiN1701]

Do you use Defender, MS Firewall or a router firewall? Do you use a script monitor/disabler on firefox and do you have Java enabled by default?

I disabled defender and don't use MS firewall. I do have a router.

I don't have anything disabled in firefox other than popups.

Java is enabled, but I don't have Java so it doesn't really matter. I refuse to install Java.

[neil_g]

funny, the apple support link no longer works... good old apple.

[Tony-S]

funny, the apple support link no longer works... good old apple.

Yeah, sounds like the post was an error (http://www.macworld.com/article/137267/2008/12/antivirusremoved.html?) in the first place. Good old Apple.

[neil_g]

The Web page seemed to go against Apple’s newest ad campaigns that suggested only the PC needs antivirus software. Even though the page has been removed, Apple did not tell customers to absolutely not protect themselves.

“Since no system can be 100% immune from every threat, running anti-virus software may offer additional protection," said Evans.

spot the contradiction?

[Tony-S]

It's not a black and white issue. It's about probabilities. Unix (OS X's underpinnings) has had security as part of its OS since its inception. After all, it was designed as a multiuser system.