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Although there are fewer viruses targeted at Apple Macs, you still need to ensure your computer is protected
Q I have recently taken the plunge and bought an Apple Macintosh after many years of using Windows on different computers. I have always used security software recommended by Computeractive. I now feel slightly exposed because I don’t have any security software on my Mac, and I am not sure I believe people who say it is unnecessary.
Is it true that Apple Macintoshes do not need anti-virus software, and if not should I consider installing security software?
John Vowles
A This is a big question in computer security right now, since more people than ever before are opting for an Apple Macintosh rather than a Windows PC. One reason people make the switch is because fewer viruses exist for the Apple Macintosh than for Windows.
This creates the impression that a Macintosh is more secure than a PC, but this is not the biggest factor when malware writers decide which type of computers to target.
The majority of modern malware and viruses exist to make money for those who wrote them and one way they do this is by attempting to steal the login details for your PC, shopping websites or your bank. In order to make the virus as effective as possible, authors will usually target Windows, because there are more Windows computers around the world than on Apple Macintoshes.
However, viruses do exist on the Macintosh, and there have been some examples of malicious software affecting Apple computers. We have reviewed one piece of Mac anti-virus software, PC Tools iAntivirus but other security companies are also planning to release anti-virus software for the Mac.
Do not be lulled into a false sense of security just because there are fewer Macintosh viruses around. Much of the same advice for PC security, such as being careful which sites you visit, installing the official security updates and not installing third-party software unless you know it has come from a reputable source, are as true for the Macintosh as for the PC.
While it is improbable that your Macintosh will become infected with a virus any time soon, it’s not impossible. Don’t forget that many scams these days depend on fooling people into giving away their personal details.
Baffle by jargon? See our free online Jargon Buster.
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How about Leap-A?
I remember back in the Mac OS OS 7, 8, and 9 days one would have to be very careful because there were about a dozen or so common viruses that caused much stress if infected. On OS X there has been Leap-A http://www.macworld.com/article/49459/2006/02/leapafaq.html
Posted by Nick Vellios, 16 Mar 2010
Which Viruses Specifically?
"However, viruses do exist on the Macintosh, and there have been some examples of malicious software affecting Apple computers." Really? Can you name some examples? People keep saying this but never seem to point to an actual virus that damaged an OS X machine - other than in professional hacking contests.
Posted by CVB, 15 Mar 2010
malware affecting MACs
Examples of malware affecting MACs? Haven't you seen any non-fanboy news within the past 2 years? How about the botnets that utilize trojans in the iWork 2009 suite? While the word "virus" is over used and not accurate for most examples of malware on Macs, the truth is that there are examples of malware in the wild.
Posted by JS, 15 Mar 2010