[psycow]

Hey!

I"ve been searching high and low for a free anti virus, or virus scan program for my macintosh. I"m runing OSX. Does anyone know where i can find something that will do this?

[emoxley]

Not sure..........
Have you tried www.versiontracker.com
www.download.com
http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/zcu/virus/free.html
Good luck! Especially look at the last site...........

[psycow]

Hi, yes i have tried those 2 places.

[psycow]

I just tried the zoology link, and i think i'll find something there. thanks!

[bassboneman]

Hi Psycow,

You don't need to worry much about anti-virus software for you Mac.
There has never been a single virus released in the wild that effects Mac OS X so no anti-virus is really needed.

Of course, it is theoretically possible that a Mac could get a virus but I've been been using Macs for 20 years and have NEVER gotten a virus.

[MSM Hobbes]

first, welcome to this forum!

However, if desire some additional Apple-related info, there are a couple other forums and sites devoted just to this awesome OS, that just may offer supplemental advice:
http://forums.appleinsider.com/index.php?s=
http://www.macnn.com/
http://macreviewzone.com/index.php
http://macreviewzone.com/phpbb/index.php

When visiting any of the forums, try their search feature for key words; for example, searching for "virus" gave this interesting thread: http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...ighlight=virus

Best of luck, and again welcome ya'll!

ps: have you also tried asking Apple themselves for assistance/advice? just curious if so, what they themselves may have to say... [a search at apple.com didn't really offer any insight, at least not at a quick glance... ]

pps: just went here to see what about.com had to offer:
http://antivirus.about.com/od/macintoshresource/
and the following seem pertinent to your query:
http://antivirus.about.com/cs/allabout/tp/aamacvir.htm
http://antivirus.about.com/gi/dynami...cintosh-faq%2F
Sections 7 and 8 offer interesting bits of knowledge too...

[temetz]

CalmXav is free but I have not tryed it yet.

http://www.clamxav.com/

[JackAndCoke]

Originally Posted by bassboneman

Hi Psycow,

You don't need to worry much about anti-virus software for you Mac.
There has never been a single virus released in the wild that effects Mac OS X so no anti-virus is really needed.

Of course, it is theoretically possible that a Mac could get a virus but I've been been using Macs for 20 years and have NEVER gotten a virus.

There are a few viruses out for Mac though they are rare. I think the most noticible difference you'll find is the lack of Malware on the platform. If you have critical information on your computer then I suggest backing up [maybe with iDisk] and if it's sensitive information confidentially I'd buy Norton or McAffee. I have a mac and don't use either and don't really worry about it though.

[guitar]

classic first post love the attitude you hit the nail on the head surf with a cheap pc store data on external and save the g5 [or good pc] to create music or whatever computers can do which is a hell of a lot more than surfing

[chilkotardis]

Quote removed by Cookiegal.

You sir are foolish.
I will now shoot down and address your foolish arguments.
Number One. Ix-nay on the ofanity-pay
Number Two. A Mac is in no way whatsoever resembling a PC.
Number Three. Yes. In theory it is possible for Macs to get Malware, just like any software they have flaws. However, because Mac's are such a low target, and the fact that Mac OS X contains almost no code whatsoever of insecure mac os 9, and is based off rock solid Unix, which is open source and has been banged on for 30 years.
Number 4. No. There wasn't you may be referring to the concept virus that exploited a hole that has been patched. In fact said virus popped up a message.
Number Five. Uh. IE is not used on Macs. Yes, i can say Firefox. Can you say Safari, Camino, Opera, and Flock?
Number Six. Because Mac's are highly portable, extremely versatile, fast and nearly impervious to getting screwed up by your mother in law.
Number Seven. OS X has had a firewall since 2002. Window's firewall sucked and wasn't even turned on by default till 2003.
Number Eight. Leopard includes automated backup.
Number Nine. You won't need to of you don't get them.
Never post here again until you stop using profane language, and get your facts straight.
Regards.
Chilkotardis.

[Headrush]

Chilkotardis,

Actually Macs are very similar to PC in hardware. (Especially now without a TPM chip)
Apple is using off the shelf Intel parts for CPUs, chipsets, video chip, etc. (Hence why running Windows on Macs is so easy now)

Sure by default OS X is fairly secure and Mac viruses/spyware are so far little to worry about, but that doesn't mean Mac users shouldn't use anti-virus software. Although it may not affect Macs, Macs can relay Window viruses to Windows machines. Some might say who cares, but any attacks that can have a negative affect on the Internet, (which we have seen some viruses can), than it is a concern for all users.

[guitar]

there is a codec virus for macs available at porn sites so get a antivirus cause there'll be more coming

[Earl1983]

Originally Posted by psycow

Hey!

I"ve been searching high and low for a free anti virus, or virus scan program for my macintosh. I"m runing OSX. Does anyone know where i can find something that will do this?

Here u are!) try Avast!)

[ferrija1]

If you're safe about where you go and what you run, you don't need an anti-virus app. There is about one virus where you must go to certain types of sites and if you get it, you're getting what you deserve.

[techjeff]

Originally Posted by Earl1983

Here u are!) try Avast!)

Perhaps some of the more experienced users can help me here, but isn't Avast a Windows-only executable?

I have used ClamXav in Jaguar, Panther and Tiger and it just works.

I hope this helps, psycow!

Jeff