Questions for Mac Owners - Page 2

By the way, I am a certified Apple tech and have been for years and I do not use any anti-virus software on any of my Macs, nor do I recommend any of my customers use it. You really don't need it. Keep your software up to date (which is hard running 10.4.11 because there are no more security updates), and don't install every random application you find.

Interesting standpoint. I'm about to take my ACMT exam in addition to Snow Leopard & Lion integration and support certs, and I suppose I stand on the other side of the fence with regard to anti-virus. My philosophy when it comes to computer security and safety is to take a pro-active approach. Telling someone they don't need anti-virus because all they need do is avoid malicious websites and avoid downloading random stuff is like telling someone they needn't back up their data because all they need do is simply avoid deleting the files they want to keep. Accidents happen, including ones outside the most careful of user's control: Visiting a compromised, but otherwise legitimate website; or in the case of backing up your data, hard drive failure.

I guess what I'm saying is: Why risk your data on the naive assumption that things will remain the status quo?

er, just to chime in.. on the AV issue.. I don't have an AV on my Intel Mac, why? I don't think it needs it.. but even foregoing that, you'd have to be pretty unlucky to get anything nasty on a PowerMac.. :/
anything at all!! :O

it's not that such viruses don't exist.. heck, there are one or two out there for even Linux, but how likely are you in bumping in to them?? no way.
these viruses are old and no longer developed, there are whole huge corporations out there cleaning the internet, no corp wants viruses as it's bad for business.

now Intel Mac is another matter.. if you (Apple) tick off the wrong hacker then ..i guess, they might do something about it.
but on the whole, i think I heard OSX has something like 0.03% of all viruses world wide (i think i rem it from bbc click) and Linux has 0.01%.
if the all servers caught viruses the internet would go teletubbie 'UH OH!' lololol @linux.

peace

Dava

Because taking the risk of "catching something" and not being annoyed (mind you I don't have much experience with anything other than Norton and McAfee on Mac) with the constant warning signs and auto-scans every time I want to do something is better than spending $50 for the annoyance to be "protected". The likely-hood of being attacked before you had updates definitions is also very high because they don't get updated instantly.

Also, the recent outbreak of MacProtector (also with other names but the same malware) actually required to install software which _made you put your password in_ and if you are that stupid to just install this random program that appeared on your computer because the download started as soon as the page/ad loaded and some browsers, including Safari had set to auto-open downloads by default, than AV software is not going to help you. Having AV software would not have stopped this method of attack.

I've been using Apple OS's for years and not once, on a single one of my machines, nor on any family members Macs have ever been infected with anything. The majority of my customers also have never been infected with anything. The risk is very low and the benefits of not wasting money on software that gets in your way sounds like a risk I'd be willing to take.

Also, if you are taking the ACMT to get a job working on Macs, do yourself a favor and never ever work for an Apple store because it's the worst job in the world and will make you hate your entire life. I worked there for one year as a specialist and two as a genius before quitting because it was so bad. I now work for a service provider and it's pretty decent.
Edited by Xylene - 4/20/12 at 4:57pm

Not to be stepping on feet but i was just reading the other day the website MacWorld posted about a year ago how they believe by the end of the year that Mac would be hit with some kind of virus/malware due to its growing popularity. I mean, i doubt people who create viruses sit there and say "Well, windows upsets me more than mac so ill give them a virus today". Its more logical for them to say "There are A LOT more computers running windows than there are Mac so i'll create the virus with the bigger impact". And it kind of holds true with their logic. They said the virus was going to come because of the increasing popularity in Macs and I agree with MacWorld when they say as popularity increases itll only get worse.

I'm sorry to say this but 10.4. is dead lol Well for everyday use. No one makes software that supports it anymore (especially if it's running on PowerPC) The only thing you can do on it is just learn how OSX works.

That's like telling people not to wear a seat belt.... all you gotta do is avoid an accident.

Yes, Malware. Which you have to be a complete moron to install on your computer, since it goes through a whole installation process where it asks for your admin password.

Those 600,000 people need to never own a computer again.

Those 600,000 people know nothing about computers and they are either hipsters copying what Skrillex does or they just want a Mac because everyone else has one.

erm... guys c'mon! Mac is a good platform, just 'cause we're builders doesn't mean we gotta hate.. those people are inept yeah, but also innocent. I honestly find Mac's easy to use. I think, just an opinion, OS X is a very slick OS, ..but I ask you this..

Honestly, ..What would you rather do?

1. Put Windows or Ubuntu on a self built comp for a relative
OR
2. buy them a Mac and not have to troubleshoot over the phone?

point and click. simple. de-stressing.

bad points are : expensive and closed. but expensive is a big one.

if I had the ability I would put Ubuntu on 'Luna'* and not care, but my friend had lots of trouble with it, and you still need IT savvy for Linux . Windows is a good OS and getting better but OSX provides a whole experience IMO, like going to a tailor to get a suit, might be a trendy suit, but a suit none the less.

peace


*can't just now as the Eth driver is faulty with the kernel.