Comments on: Apple recommends an Antivirus. So what? http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/ Sun, 25 Mar 2012 05:12:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Benjamin http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2306 Benjamin Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:10:32 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2306 This is the only site I've seen that has sensibly carried the antivirus page issue. Way to go smoking apples. And until a virus installs all on its own on my mac, I won't be bothering with an antivirus. This is the only site I’ve seen that has sensibly carried the antivirus page issue. Way to go smoking apples.

And until a virus installs all on its own on my mac, I won’t be bothering with an antivirus.

]]> By: brotherStefan http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2275 brotherStefan Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:26:13 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2275 I just love it when I'm reminded that Macs aren't immune to virus infection. Now, I'm unaware of any anti-virus app that is able to protect me from a virus that hasn't yet been written. The apps than I can buy (make that, subscribe to) will protect my Mac from 140,000 existing virus variations (variations that affect PCs, not Macs). Even with that protection, it won't protect me if I am unlucky enough to be among the first targets of that OOTB (Out of the Blue) virus that everybody "knows" is coming. I mean, the virus has to be detected before an anti-virus definition can be written, doesn't it? In order for it to be detected, it has to infect some hapless target, and those initial targets would be just as hapless whether or not they had the protection of the previous 10 year's worth of virus definitions. Malware writers don't write malware to be detected by existing anti-virus software. I just love it when I’m reminded that Macs aren’t immune to virus infection. Now, I’m unaware of any anti-virus app that is able to protect me from a virus that hasn’t yet been written. The apps than I can buy (make that, subscribe to) will protect my Mac from 140,000 existing virus variations (variations that affect PCs, not Macs). Even with that protection, it won’t protect me if I am unlucky enough to be among the first targets of that OOTB (Out of the Blue) virus that everybody “knows” is coming. I mean, the virus has to be detected before an anti-virus definition can be written, doesn’t it? In order for it to be detected, it has to infect some hapless target, and those initial targets would be just as hapless whether or not they had the protection of the previous 10 year’s worth of virus definitions. Malware writers don’t write malware to be detected by existing anti-virus software.

]]> By: Liam http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2270 Liam Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:35:50 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2270 My head has been spinning looking at nut job sites (even big ones like AI) making a huge deal out of this. That page is obviously kept for legal reasons and everyone assumes it is Apple forcing antivirus software on users. I mean, haven't you seen a KB article before? They always have a 'use this advice if you like' kind of atmosphere about them. I have an "Apple" search going on in TweetDeck. Oh my. 50% of the tweets were about this crap. My head has been spinning looking at nut job sites (even big ones like AI) making a huge deal out of this. That page is obviously kept for legal reasons and everyone assumes it is Apple forcing antivirus software on users. I mean, haven’t you seen a KB article before? They always have a ‘use this advice if you like’ kind of atmosphere about them. I have an “Apple” search going on in TweetDeck. Oh my. 50% of the tweets were about this crap.

]]> By: Milind Alvares http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2269 Milind Alvares Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:26:08 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2269 "Tech sites like this should know better." I hope you read the post, cause we're pretty much with you on this :) “Tech sites like this should know better.”

I hope you read the post, cause we’re pretty much with you on this :)

]]> By: JohnO http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2268 JohnO Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:03:35 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2268 I am both an ISP and a reseller and the ONLY AV we have on any machines is on our mail servers as that it the only contact we have with Windows. Not any of the numerous other Macs in our organization have it as AV is a conflict from moment one. I will remind those who say Macs aren't immune that the challenge has been out there for a number of years and the only alleged virus reports we get is from those selling AV, like the Gawd-awful "the sky is falling" Intego, and Symantec, none of whose products aren't allowed near our Macs. Might it happen? Certainly. But AV wouldn't stop it as AV is always AFTER the fact. It is always behind AV writers and never anticipates. It can only fix or protect from already KNOWN virusses. So you might as well wait until a virus shows up. So far, that is a very good approach. Apple is just covering its legal butt. Tech sites like this should know better. I am both an ISP and a reseller and the ONLY AV we have on any machines is on our mail servers as that it the only contact we have with Windows. Not any of the numerous other Macs in our organization have it as AV is a conflict from moment one.

I will remind those who say Macs aren’t immune that the challenge has been out there for a number of years and the only alleged virus reports we get is from those selling AV, like the Gawd-awful “the sky is falling” Intego, and Symantec, none of whose products aren’t allowed near our Macs.

Might it happen? Certainly. But AV wouldn’t stop it as AV is always AFTER the fact. It is always behind AV writers and never anticipates. It can only fix or protect from already KNOWN virusses.

So you might as well wait until a virus shows up. So far, that is a very good approach.

Apple is just covering its legal butt.
Tech sites like this should know better.

]]> By: Neilio http://smokingapples.com/news/apple-recommends-an-antivirus-so-what/#comment-2266 Neilio Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:46:21 +0000 http://smokingapples.com/?p=3634#comment-2266 Is would be stupid to think that just because you use OS X you won't have a virus. Yes, the current virus require Admin access, but this doesn't mean a back-door won't be found (or opened) in the future. Windows is affected by the number of virus based on it's install based. Yes it's easier, but that debated to exactly how it's easier; more documentation on system or lazy programmer. But with the recent news on the web usage of OS X and also Safari (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/01/safari-tops-7-of-browser-market-share-mac-os-x-on-the-rise/), they may start running in to groups who are willing to start compromising Mac (those running Warez or Cracked software may already be at risk due to the nature of those programs). Also, orignally the users of OS X knew a bit about the system to suffice without worry and there wasn't a worry. But my recent trip to an Apple store showed me that as that user base expands, there is more ignorant people purchasing Macs who may well have the view that they are safe from virus and can open anything without worry. So for those not so tech savvy users (or "Pirates"), a virus scanner is useful. I don't use one personally on my Mac as I consider myself "tech savvy", and I wouldn't at work either if it wasn't for a case of Sods Law if I didn't. So yes, it's a little overblown, but don't blow it down. Chances of getting a virus are slim on a mac, but no way you are safe. Is would be stupid to think that just because you use OS X you won’t have a virus. Yes, the current virus require Admin access, but this doesn’t mean a back-door won’t be found (or opened) in the future.

Windows is affected by the number of virus based on it’s install based. Yes it’s easier, but that debated to exactly how it’s easier; more documentation on system or lazy programmer. But with the recent news on the web usage of OS X and also Safari (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/01/safari-tops-7-of-browser-market-share-mac-os-x-on-the-rise/), they may start running in to groups who are willing to start compromising Mac (those running Warez or Cracked software may already be at risk due to the nature of those programs).

Also, orignally the users of OS X knew a bit about the system to suffice without worry and there wasn’t a worry. But my recent trip to an Apple store showed me that as that user base expands, there is more ignorant people purchasing Macs who may well have the view that they are safe from virus and can open anything without worry. So for those not so tech savvy users (or “Pirates”), a virus scanner is useful.

I don’t use one personally on my Mac as I consider myself “tech savvy”, and I wouldn’t at work either if it wasn’t for a case of Sods Law if I didn’t.

So yes, it’s a little overblown, but don’t blow it down. Chances of getting a virus are slim on a mac, but no way you are safe.

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