Apple now "encourages" antivirus use for Mac OS X

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue Dec 2, 2008 1:34 AM EST

Article Source: Apple Insider

technology, apple, security, windows, it, os

After years of jabbing Microsoft for the seeming need to run antivirus software on Windows, Apple has quietly posted its own recommendation for similar security with its own operating system.

The knowledge base article, posted roughly a week and a half ago, doesn't go so far as to say the software is necessary but still advocates "widespread use" of more than one antivirus package to minimize security risks.

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8.4

{"commentId":4255294,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

At present, there isn't any immediate cause for a change in Apple strategy. Outside of proofs of concept, few instances exist of widely propagated viruses or other malicious code for the Mac.

{"commentId":4255294,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

2 votes

#1 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 1:36 AM EST

{"commentId":4258009,"authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

Kirk Lennon

My vote is that this is just some CYA from their lawyers. Buried on their site, Apple is telling you to install AV software *wink*. That doesn't mean anybody (aside from AV vendors) thinks you actually should. And, more importantly, this certainly doesn't indicate even the slightest change in the actual status of Mac security, which is still a virus-free world.

{"commentId":4258009,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

2 votes

#2 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 10:56 AM EST

{"commentId":4261020,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

It is not entirely virus-free, or there wouldn't be anti-virus products.

{"commentId":4261020,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 2:13 PM EST

{"commentId":4267251,"authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

Kirk Lennon

No, it's pretty much entirely virus free, at least as far as Mac viruses go. There's some proof-of-concept lab stuff, but not a single OS X virus that's actually out there in the real world as a threat. The only semi-compelling argument I've heard for AV software on a Mac is to identify Windows viruses in your email, lest you accidentally forward one.

{"commentId":4267251,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

1 vote

#2.2 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 9:14 PM EST

{"commentId":4268684,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

So why have anti-virus companies produced products for the Mac? AV requires virsuses to look for, it can't be generic, so what are these products based on?

{"commentId":4268684,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

2 votes

#2.3 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 11:30 PM EST

{"commentId":4268834,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

Here are some that a very brief search turned up. Some are wild, all are real. And yes, they are rare, I don't dispute that.

{"commentId":4268834,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

2 votes

#2.4 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 11:46 PM EST

{"commentId":4271287,"authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

Kirk Lennon

The handful of viruses listed represent no threat or cause for anti-virus software. The last time there were real, malicious viruses in the wild on the Mac was back in the Classic (OS 9 and prior) days. The number of real virus threats to OS X users is, literally, zero.

Mac AV software exists to identify known Windows viruses so that Mac users don't unwittingly spread them. I suppose it may also give some people peace-of-mind, but I still think it's a poor computing habit.

You're basically free from all Mac malware as long as you don't download "codecs" from porn sites, and then actively install them.

{"commentId":4271287,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"kirklennon"}

2 votes

#2.5 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 9:27 AM EST

{"commentId":4272753,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Mac AV software exists to identify known Windows viruses so that Mac users don't unwittingly spread them.

Exactly right. Mac users may download a "cute" file that's infected with a Windows virus, then send it to all their friends...Windows users included. So, Mac AV software can identify that virus and alert you to the problem before you send it to everyone you know.

As Kirk also said, viruses were a real problem back in the pre-OS X days. There were literally hundreds of actual viruses doing actual harm to actual people on the Mac platform. Back then darn near every Mac user used AV software. Symantec (Norton) Anti-VIrus was one of the best selling software applications on the Mac. What's interesting to note is that, back then, Mac OS had a MUCH smaller percentage of an overall much smaller market. So, the "Macs will get viruses once their market share increases" is a completely bunk argument...yet we hear it over and over. THe BBC article even spouted it in a roundabout way.

{"commentId":4272753,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

1 vote

#2.6 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:08 AM EST

{"commentId":4278069,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

Mac AV software exists to identify known Windows viruses so that Mac users don't unwittingly spread them.

That makes sense to me, thanks.

{"commentId":4278069,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

2 votes

#2.7 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 4:05 PM EST

{"commentId":4259793,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Are there any free anti-virus apps for Mac?

{"commentId":4259793,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

2 votes

#3 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 12:56 PM EST

{"commentId":4260435,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Yes. ClamX AV is free and based on the well known Clam Anti-Virus.

{"commentId":4260435,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

2 votes

#3.1 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 1:35 PM EST

{"commentId":4261196,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Thanks!

{"commentId":4261196,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

1 vote

#3.2 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 2:26 PM EST

{"commentId":4265207,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

Looks like most, including the BBC failed to actually read what was posted, instead believing what bloggers were writing. Here's a good breakdown of what was actually posted on Apple's website.

{"commentId":4265207,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

2 votes

#4 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 6:17 PM EST

{"commentId":4268806,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

dungbeetlemania

Thanks for that, well found. I guess your seed is more accurate than mine.

{"commentId":4268806,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}

#4.1 - Tue Dec 2, 2008 11:43 PM EST

{"commentId":4272774,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

gecko85

No worries. Seems the entire blogosphere got caught up in this...it was reported on dozens of site, including main stream media...

{"commentId":4272774,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"tcervo"}

2 votes

#4.2 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:10 AM EST

{"commentId":4271982,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

Apple pulls support note recommending antivirus software.

Nothing to see here, all is well. Please move on.

{"commentId":4271982,"threadId":"432293","contentId":"2167857","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

3 votes

#5 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 10:18 AM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"432293","isPrivate":false}

Apple recommends security software for Mac owners - What?	pcpro.co.uk	Tue Dec 2	2
Apple deletes Mac antivirus suggestion	CNET.com	Tue Dec 2	0
Apple: Our Ads Don't Lie, But You're a Fool if You Believe Them	Wired News	Tue Dec 2	1
Apple quietly recommends using antivirus software \| Macworld	Macworld	Tue Dec 2	0
Apple pushes anti-virus for Macs	BBC News	Tue Dec 2	13

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Apple now "encourages" antivirus use for Mac OS X

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