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Thread: Anti-Virus programs for Mac

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    Default Anti-Virus programs for Mac

    Hey guys,

    I have a MacBook Pro and I think it would be a good idea to install some Anti-Virus software.

    Any good suggestions? Preferably something that's free.

    Thanks.
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    There is a system cleaner called Onyx, it allows you to clean out temporarily files, etc, and verify your hard disk. In my experience it does a better job than Clean My Mac (or whatever it's called). For the most part I do not believe you need anti-virus software, and whenever I took my old Pro in for maintenance, the tech guys always said that the anti-virus programs would slow my computer's performance (which they did), and were unnecessary.

    Using a web browser that has an ad blocker is very important as well. I used Firefox (involved downloading the Ad Blocker add-on) but I believe Chrome has a great ad blocker as well. Then you can add websites that you want pop-ups from (say for yahoo mock drafts). A little message will appear in the top right hand corner of your Firefox window and you can choose to add that site (Yahoo fantasy mock draft, etc) as safe to allow the pop-up. This is very important for streaming shows or games because you do not see those pesky side advertisements, no banner advertisements and do not get any pop-ups. Makes a huge difference. I did not see a single advertisement on my computer until my Pro broke down after 5 years. Now I see them frequently on my iPad and it is very annoying.


    Hope that helps!

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    Last edited by Ross The Boss Palmer; November 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM.

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    Hey Mac,

    Are you looking for an anti-virus program for yourself? Or for your computer? Sorry, I had to!

    I've been a Mac user (the computer, not you ) for about 6 years. I've yet to install an anti-virus program. I've managed to avoid them and have done some reading and am not convinced that I need to install them myself.

    Here is an interesting, albeit dated, article from MacWorld.

    http://www.macworld.com/article/1137...antivirus.html

    Hope this helps!
    Last edited by arctic_rogue; November 23, 2012 at 4:44 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by eyemissgilmour View Post
    What?! Apple users always brag that they don't get viruses. So this thread must not really exist. #tongueincheek
    Please see my previous post!
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    Quote Originally Posted by arctic_rogue View Post
    Please see my previous post!
    I read your previous post and noticed you forgot the article link.


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    Just taking precaution really, I haven't had any issues with my MacBook yet.

    Thanks for the suggestions!

    Yes, I know its funny, Mac owns a Mac.
    "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."

    "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

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    Quote Originally Posted by ericdaoust View Post
    I read your previous post and noticed you forgot the article link.
    Sorry Eric. Got all excited about owning Mac... err.. I mean a Mac.


    Link is posted. Here it is:

    http://www.macworld.com/article/1137...antivirus.html
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    Quote Originally Posted by dmvincent View Post
    Just taking precaution really, I haven't had any issues with my MacBook yet.

    Thanks for the suggestions!

    Yes, I know its funny, Mac owns a Mac.
    If you do give one or others a try, drop me a PM and let me know how it worked. I just put a new Crucial M4 SSD into my '10 MBP, so I'd hate to lower my speed gains with anti-virus software.
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    Sophos anti-virus for Mac is free. It was the one UBC provided. I installed it on my computer, and didn't notice it slowing down too much. But times when I've had it uninstalled didn't really have virus/ malware problems either. Sophos picked up malware/trojan once.

    http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products...e-edition.aspx

    Quote Originally Posted by arctic_rogue View Post
    If you do give one or others a try, drop me a PM and let me know how it worked. I just put a new Crucial M4 SSD into my '10 MBP, so I'd hate to lower my speed gains with anti-virus software.
    Did you replace the optical drive? I did it on mine with a Samsung 470 SSD using a optibay case/tray off eBay ($10-15 vs $100 MCE optibay caddy), and put the SuperDrive into an enclosure. Used Ifixit guide and other online ones.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-2nd-S...5cb82ed&_uhb=1

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SATA-Supe...3a89fa8&_uhb=1

    http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+...acement/3074/1

    This one probably best overview.
    http://notebooks.com/2011/07/27/mce-...s-seat-review/

    there was a few anxious moments when my computer wouldn't boot up afterwards. I think it was mainly because I had trouble reconnecting the keyboard cable back so the power button didn't work. Have had to use the Superdrive only twice since then.

    Works much faster now, though battery might be slightly less, and fan runs more.
    Last edited by cdubb; November 24, 2012 at 7:41 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by cdubb View Post
    Did you replace the optical drive? I did it on mine with a Samsung 470 SSD using a optibay case/tray off eBay ($10-15 vs $100 MCE optibay caddy), and put the SuperDrive into an enclosure. Used Ifixit guide and other online ones.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-2nd-S...5cb82ed&_uhb=1

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SATA-Supe...3a89fa8&_uhb=1

    http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+...acement/3074/1

    This one probably best overview.
    http://notebooks.com/2011/07/27/mce-...s-seat-review/

    there was a few anxious moments when my computer wouldn't boot up afterwards. I think it was mainly because I had trouble reconnecting the keyboard cable back so the power button didn't work. Have had to use the Superdrive only twice since then.

    Works much faster now, though battery might be slightly less, and fan runs more.
    Nope, still have my optical drive - no that I use it for much. I had a Seagate Momentus Hybrid drive that I took out for the Crucial. I've noticed a big difference in somethings: opening documents, programs (PS CS6, Lightroom, etc.). My boot times aren't much better because before they'd run on the SSD section of the Momentus that was there before.

    I have read about the optical drive area replacement kits, just never went that route. I may consider it... I have to use an external for all my photos as they take up some serious space.. but a 256 GB SSD and a 320 GB Regular Drive would be okay for a while.
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    Quote Originally Posted by arctic_rogue View Post
    Nope, still have my optical drive - no that I use it for much. I had a Seagate Momentus Hybrid drive that I took out for the Crucial. I've noticed a big difference in somethings: opening documents, programs (PS CS6, Lightroom, etc.). My boot times aren't much better because before they'd run on the SSD section of the Momentus that was there before.

    I have read about the optical drive area replacement kits, just never went that route. I may consider it... I have to use an external for all my photos as they take up some serious space.. but a 256 GB SSD and a 320 GB Regular Drive would be okay for a while.
    Yah I previously had interest in the Seagate Hybrid drives, but heard some problems on Macs.

    The reason why I opted for the SSD/HD optibay solution was because I couldn't afford a 500gb SSD and 256gb was not large enough for all my files. Yah, I think it's the photos for me as well.
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    Quote Originally Posted by cdubb View Post
    Yah I previously had interest in the Seagate Hybrid drives, but heard some problems on Macs.

    The reason why I opted for the SSD/HD optibay solution was because I couldn't afford a 500gb SSD and 256gb was not large enough for all my files. Yah, I think it's the photos for me as well.
    I didn't want to dish out for a 500GB SSD either. I've actually moved to an external drive to hold all my photos. I still process them the same way under lightroom, just that the folder is external. Hmmm.. I'm going to check out that optical drive enclosure...
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    Quote Originally Posted by arctic_rogue View Post
    Hmmm.. I'm going to check out that optical drive enclosure...
    the only thing is that it was a little more of a process to install. Replacing regular HD and RAM is 10 times easier.

    Anyway just ran Sophos overnight and it quarantined 3 Trojans in my junk mail (windows Trojans though)
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    So Sophos doesn't have to run continuously? That sounds much more appealing!
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    Don't get one. You don't need one and it just wastes battery.

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