[dzp111]

I've never, ever had any type of anti-virus (virus, worms, spyware) programs on my Macs, and I've been using Mac since 1988. (The fact that I've never caught a virus is something I often brag about to my Windows friends about)

Questions:

1. Have I just been lucky so far?

2. Now that Mac is gaining a little popularity, should I consider taking more precautions?

3. Which application for this type of security should I use. Any recommendations?

[Cold Warrior]

1. No
2. No, not yet
3. Don't worry about it

[Big Mac]

If and when there is a true virus threat on the platform, it will make for very substantial news across the tech world.

[Too Artificial]

At this point, the only benefit of having AV software on your Mac is to prevent yourself from passing along an email or something that's infected with a Windows virus/spyware to any of your friends using Windows.

[frdmfghtr]

If you need AV software (university/work requirement, or for some peace of mind) you can use ClamXav. It's a free AV scanner that provides some limited real-time scanning, but is more useful for doing periodic drive scans.

Some use Symantec Antivirus (like me, free from my university) with mixed results. Some claim significant system performance hits and other problems, while others (like me) don't see any noticeable performance hit.

[voicebox]

Originally Posted by dzp111 

I've never, ever had any type of anti-virus (virus, worms, spyware) programs on my Macs, and I've been using Mac since 1988. (The fact that I've never caught a virus is something I often brag about to my Windows friends about)

Questions:

1. Have I just been lucky so far?

2. Now that Mac is gaining a little popularity, should I consider taking more precautions?

3. Which application for this type of security should I use. Any recommendations?

If you are feeling a little tense, then visit:Intego Products
On the other hand, if the price of the Intego Anti-Virus product makes you feel even more tense - then do as frdmfghtr suggests and get ClamXav - it's cheaper!
But remember this simple formula: OS X Tiger+Symantec = Disaster+Headache!
So give Noton a wide berth.

PS: Intego AntiSpam is rather good though!

[ghporter]

You should practice "safe surfing" no matter what platform you're using. But a Mac is very unlikely to be affected by even the subtle and devious crapware that hides out in the vast reaches of Internetland.

You will find that I am a strong advocate of using antivirus software where and when appropriate, and I use a commercial product on my own Macs as well as on my PCs. But right now, you are fairly safe if you are simply careful and don't mess around with emails that offer free stuff or ask you for your personal information.

I expect that there eventually will be a real need for Mac users to use antivirus on a regular basis, but it will not be anywhere near the level of problem that Windows users have because of the different structure and philosophy of OS X.

[frdmfghtr]

Originally Posted by voicebox 

If you are feeling a little tense, then visit:Intego Products
On the other hand, if the price of the Intego Anti-Virus product makes you feel even more tense - then do as frdmfghtr suggests and get ClamXav - it's cheaper!
But remember this simple formula: OS X Tiger+Symantec = Disaster+Headache!
So give Noton a wide berth.

PS: Intego AntiSpam is rather good though!

Here is a review of Intego's Anti-Virus: It's an old review, but still gives insight into teh usefulness of the product: Macworld: Review: Intego VirusBarrier X4

I wish I knew why Symantec caused some real usability/performance problems with some machines and none with others; the only issue I have ever had with it is that Auto-Protect would occasionally get corrupted and require a reinstall; there was a problem with Live Update once, but that was more widespread.

Anyway, I think I'll try out Intego and see what happens.

[voicebox]

Hi frdmfghtr,
Thanks for the Macworld review link, it makes interesting reading! I have a confession to make - I happen to have Intego VirusBarrier installed on my G4 15" PowerBook along with Intego AntiSpam. VirusBarrier is there for the sole purpose of picking up any nasty email worms/bugs I may receive from Windows users - so therefore I wont pass anything nasty on to other Windows users - and I have to say, it does its job extremely well, plus it scans pretty quickly.
I also have ClamXav installed on my G4 iMac for the same reasons as above and it really does the job - if in a more basic way. It did alert me to a couple of nasty Windows worms I was sent via email the other day and I was able to delete the offending emails before they were inadvertently passed on!
Also, Symantec stopped developing any antivirus for Apple Mac about two years ago - certainly 18 months ago.