I have been using my Macbook Pro for nearly a year now. I have been using it as my main computer for a while as well. I was wondering what a good program for Virus protection and Malware or Spyware protection for the Mac platform would be. I realize that the Mac doesn't have too much of a problem with Virus, as compared to Windows. But I was wondering either way, do I need to have someone like Malware bites or Virus protection for the computer? I have never ran ( that I know of ) a virus protection software on it.
I've been using Mac all my life and have never encountered a virus of any kind. I know everyone keeps saying that the big Mac virus attack is right around the corner but they've been saying that for the last 5-6 years now. I wouldn't bother with any kind of virus protection if I was you :)
EDIT: Now is probably a good time to knock on wood.
@Vetterli: To be fair, frequency has been increasing. Just earlier this year there was a largely unnoticed virus that targeted OSX. It was pretty big in the news...
On a purely cost/benefit analysis basis, they're not worth it. There are almost no viral threats to Macs (and the few there are tend to target things like Flash, Java, browsers etc.) so provided you're relatively tech-savvy, you should be okay without. If you're really worried, Mountain Lion is round the corner and it's even more secure, particularly if you enable Gatekeeper protection.
I have been using my Macbook Pro for nearly a year now. I have been using it as my main computer for a while as well. I was wondering what a good program for Virus protection and Malware or Spyware protection for the Mac platform would be. I realize that the Mac doesn't have too much of a problem with Virus, as compared to Windows. But I was wondering either way, do I need to have someone like Malware bites or Virus protection for the computer? I have never ran ( that I know of ) a virus protection software on it.
I've been using Mac all my life and have never encountered a virus of any kind. I know everyone keeps saying that the big Mac virus attack is right around the corner but they've been saying that for the last 5-6 years now. I wouldn't bother with any kind of virus protection if I was you :)
EDIT: Now is probably a good time to knock on wood.
@Vetterli: Fair enough, but here is a link to a free antivirus as well as info on the current state of malware for macs.
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/security-news-trends/security-hubs/mac-security.aspx
Use Xprotect from Apple. Also, Sophos is good for Mac. You make the choice.
@Vetterli: To be fair, frequency has been increasing. Just earlier this year there was a largely unnoticed virus that targeted OSX. It was pretty big in the news...
Don't visit porn sites you don't trust. Problem solved!