Is antivirus software necessary on a Mac?

Answer 1

Need it - No ... should one have it - Yes. In the present day and age, some people's only interest in the computer is hacking into your system and making your PC (or MAC or whatever) go bonkers. Having an anti-virus application running in the background constantly helps to prevent the intrustions.

There are many a/v software brands - can't say any one works better than the others, but some will find incompatibility issues with a particular PC and just plain won't work right. If you are using a PC There is a free security system for Windows. If you are using a mac- then you'll probably have to buy a security system if you want a good one.

">

Answer 2:

Without an antivirus software your computer is at high risk to be infected during you chat with friends, download files from the internet, open email attachments, launch various applications and games, visit websites, etc.

Virus infections can cause the system to freeze, applications to close unexpectedly, display unwanted popups, redirect home and search page, block the Internet, delete and modify system and user files and many more unwanted malicious behavior.

Answer 2

After my experience: No. But you should not work in an Admin account, what is unfortunately the standard setting. But every Mac needs an admin account, therefore you will create a new account, only for installations and so on. Example and procedure: Your mac has one user account, called "Bob". Go to System Prefs > Accounts and create a new account (unlock the lock before), call it eg. "Master" with a nice password. Check the checkbox "Allow user to administer this computer". Log out user "Bob" and log in as "Master". Go to SysPrefs again and select the user "Bob" and UNCHECK the checkbox "Allow user...". Log out "Master" and log in as "Bob". What has changed: Bob is not allowed to install or remove any software anymore, so if you ("Bob") want to install something, the Mac will ask you to identify as admin, and you guess it, you just have to enter "Master" and his password. That protects you and anything you click in the net from installing accidentally. The only thing: Think before you enter "Master"s password.

Answer 3

Yes you do need anti virus software if you are a mac user. There aren't as many threats that threaten Mac but there are plenty that do. The unfortuanately thing is a lot of schools use macs and have a network made up of mac computers. Which means if you don't have protections your computers will probably become infected. Many schools use macs because of the low maintenence and the lower cost but many schools don't have protection. If you are a mac user I recommend Mcafee for protection Or conversely - No you do not need anti virus software if you are a Mac user. There are no extant viruses that will affect Mac OS X. If you are running Windows on your Mac then you will need to protect yourself from the plethora of Windows viruses.

Answer 4

Do you need it, no, not really, should you have it probably yes.

There are a few Malware infections that are out there but no virus's as yet but most of the Malware/Virus programs do cover any that are out now. There are a few that are free so there is no reason not to be safe if you don't know a lot about the internet.

I own 2 iMacs and have never installed any anti-virus software on either in the 5 years I have been running OSx. Never had a single infection on either. IMO, you do not need to install any anti-virus software on your iMac that will slow it down. You do however need to be careful what you download and install on your iMac. Unlike Windows, you must approve the installation of any software with your password. I do recommend you install a Safari extension called WOT (Web Of Trust). It will warn you of a malicious web site. Your Mac is perfectly fine with the built in security.

Answer 5

Absolutely! Apple's are no more secure than Windows. It's just that the virus writers concentrate more on Windows than Apples because of the payoff. Virus writers do it for the money now, so they go after the bigger target.

Answer 6

As an owner of an Apple iMac for almost 5 years my answer is no, you do not need any anti-virus software installed on your Mac. There has not been one real world virus to ever infect Mac OSx. Saying that, you must use common sense or you can become infected with spyware. By default your Mac will only let you install software from Apple or from an Apple approved vendor. Change that setting at your own risk. Also by default you must insert your password in order to install software. Mac will also warn you of malicious web sites. I would however recommend you install a Safari browser extension called Web Of Trust (WOT). You can just add it as an extension onto the Safari Browser. Click Safari > Safari Extensions. It will warn you of a malicious web site.

Answer 7

It is not necessary. but it is recommended. Some people that do not have antivirus software say that they have absolutely no problems. Norton is a very popular brand, if you plan on getting it.

Answer 8

SEX