I just got a new ibook last week but forgot about antivirus and firewall software. Today I was at the Apple store in Tysons Corner, VA and the sales rep said most (like 95%) of home mac users don’t use any antivirus or firewall protection…because its not needed? This sounds strange to me but I’m use to PC’s and Windows.
So do any of you with Mac’s use antivirus/firewall protection?
Dave in VA
I think there are a lot of mac users out there not using anti virus/spyware apps.
At this point the mac is pretty impervious to that crap. I’ve had an ibook for about 2 years. no problems (knock on wood)
the mac os is inherently resistant to virus attacks - it’s by no means impervious. however, this combined with its small share of the computer market means that basically nobody really bothers to write viruses for macs. there are viruses out there, and there is virus software out there as well, though. and the mac os has a firewall built in that you can enable, just like windows xp.
Two things.
(1) MacOS X is based on UNIX, which is generally regarded as inherently FAR more secure than Windows.
(2) From a hacker’s perspective, almost NOBODY uses Macs. So there’s very little incentive to go hacking on it. (Note: Increasing popularity of Macs may shift this balance)
So, from the start you’re WAY more secure than you would be on a Windows box, right out of the box.
That being said, there is no such thing as a totally secure system, and UNIX has its holes as well.
Personally, I just have things on my iMac set up with the default setings. It did seem that i had to go in and “loosen up” a bit to get my networking to work. So that bodes well. I also use a router with a pretty dumb, secure firewall, so I’ve got that layer of security as well.
There’s probably some stuff you could do or buy to enhance the security of your box, but simply by buying a Mac you’ve probably doubled or tripled your security level.
Hey,
I suspect since it’s a new ibook that you are probably running the latest version of OS X, which is 10.4 (Tiger?) so it may be a little different (I’m running 10.3). If you look in your system preferences on the line “Internet & Network” you should see a “Sharing” icon, select it. There will be a tab called firewall. You can see/change your settings in here. By default it should be locked down. OSX is based on BSD, which has a great reputation for security. There is also a shareware application called Brickhouse that is an OS X firewall, I would say it is for a more advanced/paranoid user.
As for virus protection, I have heard that there are viruses written for macs but there are very few of them. I personally have never had a problem in 3 years and can confidently say it is nothing like the world of windows.
Hope this helps.
OS 10.4 (Tiger – RRRROWWWR!!) supposedly makes Macs more suseptible to viruses due to widgets.
I don’t know the whole story.
I guess anybody interested could google that.
By the way… MACS RULE!
I’ve been a Mac man since 1991 and own 5 of them (for our business). If you access the net through a router, you have your firewall covered. As others have mentioned, Macs are inherently alot less susceptible to viruses. I haven’t seen one in my 14 years on a Mac. Knock on wood!
Wow, I’m just about to update my orange OS9 clam shell ibook for the new and improved latest ibook and I’m glad to hear others have had trouble free years with their macs.
Yeah, my current computer is the Titanium Powerbook. I’m waiting for the Intel chip Macs that are coming in 2006 before I upgrade again. My wife and I had clamshells before and sold them on eBay for decent money. Those are collectors’ items!
I wish I could wait but OS9 is failing me a lot now and I can’t or I’m afraid to put OSX on this machine. I think I might be ordering the new iBook tomorrow.
I never realized that I was working on a collector’s item. It is real cute though I must admit and I love that it’s ORANGE!
not really…basic Norton Anti-Virus which I don’t even think is configured properly…so that statement is quite accurate I would say…you may however activate a firewall…this is from the Mac help:
Mac OS X includes firewall software you can use to block unwanted network communication with your computer. You can use a firewall to protect all of the services available in Mac OS X, such as Personal File Sharing, Windows Sharing, and Remote Login.
Using a firewall protects the services on your computer from users on other networks or the Internet.
When you select a service in the Services pane of Sharing preferences, it is automatically selected in the Firewall pane. To prevent that service while the firewall is on, turn off the service in the Services pane.
To enable firewall protection for a service on your computer:
Open System Preferences and click Sharing.
Select the service you want to share. Firewall protection is automatically turned on for that service. Click Firewall to make sure the corresponding firewall is enabled.
To turn off firewall protection for any service while your firewall software is turned on, turn off the service by deselecting it in the Services pane.
You can’t edit the firewall ports used by built-in services. They are enabled and disabled automatically when you turn the corresponding service on or off in the Services pane.
Thanks guys, I’m so glad I decided to go with a Mac, I just wonder why there not as popular?
Dave in VA
…dunno about over there but you get loads more for your money with pc’s rather than macs over here in Europe…apart from that web sites are geared for pc’s rather than macs…take this site for instance…you cant post pictures with a Mac (unless you have Virtual PC)…then there’s sites with media file in them you can’t view with macs…stuff like that…plus the whole world mainly uses pc’s so…
I have a Mac cos I’m a designer and it’s an industry standard…or it was at least…
“I’m waiting for the Intel chip Macs that are coming in 2006 before I upgrade again.”
You’re going to be waiting longer than that… Try 2008.
Ummm…they are scheduled to start shipping some models at the end of 2006. The complete changeover will probably be in 2008. And since this is an Apple, not a Microsoft, timeline, I have more confidence in it!
I have a 12 inch PowerBook G4 and run the Norton Personal Firewall. It’s a double dose of added security and personal peace of mind. To be sure, always back-up your data.
Thanks guys, I’m so glad I decided to go with a Mac, I just wonder why there not as popular?
Dave in VA
Dave,
It’s generally because, due to lack of competition (Apple is the only company to make computers that work on the Mac OS), prices aren’t as competitive at PC’s, and there are alot more software options for PC’s. That doesn’t really matter though if you’re just doing basic things (word processing, email, internet, etc.).
You’ll find that most graphic designers use Mac because the Adobe programs for Mac are superior than comparable PC programs.
I’m a huge Mac fan from way back.
If you join .MAC, it includes anti-virus software which autoupdates each time you go online. It also includes a “virtual disc drive” in cyberspace, personal webpage, etc. Not a bad deal. While Mac’s are much more secure than PC’s, better safe than sorry.
I have heard that many of the software vendors will not be ready in 2006 - specifically one of the major providers of illustration/graphics software.
You may be able to buy the box (which I doubt), but you will certainly not be able to run all the apps on it.