Chris,
The levels of threat for Windows and Mac are totally different, so
its not useful to compare yourself against your friend's experience.
There are very few viruses for Mac - the ones that are identified are
so rare they get individual attention, and are often proof of concept
rather than real. So you really don't need to worry.
That said, its prudent to take basic precautions like having your
firewall on, and turning unnecessary services off.
So go to System Preferences, Sharing and turn off Personal File
Sharing and Windows File Sharing if you aren't using them. Click the
Firewall tab and turn the firewall on.
Running anti virus software like Clam AV (www.clamxav.com/) isn't
necessary for OS X (due to lack of viruses), but is useful for your
friend because it will stop you inadvertently receiving and then
sending on files infected with Windows viruses (even though they
don't affect Mac).
If you want an external reference point, have a read of the Princeton
University OS X security guidelines:
www.princeton.edu/~psg/unix/osx/osxsecurity.html
They include the following:
"There is still, at this writing, no virus that infects OS X. But
virus-infected documents and e-mail attachments can be transmitted
through OS X to Windows computers. Prevent that by using anti-virus
software on your Mac.
This is quite different to the virus situation on Windows, I think
you'll agree. 114,000 viruses to ... effectively none.
Viruses are different to spyware/keyloggers etc, however they aren't
a problem either. The program you found - MacScan - is fine. It is
reviewed by MacWorld: www.macworld.com/2006/07/reviews/macscan21/
index.php
But once more:
But the biggest problem with the program is that neither of its two
core functions—scanning for spyware and cleaning up after your Web
browser—is particularly necessary. There simply aren’t many actual
examples of Mac OS X spyware to worry about. Of the 40-plus threats
listed on the MacScan Web site, for example, many apply only to OS 9.
And you can already configure most Web browsers not to collect
cookies, caches, and other traces of past activity or to erase such
information after it’s been collected. .... While Windows users might
need a dedicated spyware-catcher, I’m not convinced there’s a real
need for such specific Mac software.
You could sum this up by saying ... 'trust in OS X but tie your
camel first". A few easy precautions to be on the safe side, and
then relax.
Glenn.
On 27/11/2006, at 10:22 PM, Chris Burton wrote:
Hi WA muggians
Does anyone know if there are good reputable programs for OSX that
can check and remove spyware/malware type programs, if there are any?
Im just a bit worried after talking with a friend of mine about it
(he has a PC).
I had a look on google and also version tracker. There was one that
appeared on both called Macscan. Its weird that now I dont trust
anything, as I dont know if they are one of these spyware programs
themselves!!
Or is Mac OSX just not worried about these bits of software. Im in
the dark here about all the above!
Kind regards to all
Chris
