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Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?

Posted by kdawson on from the whistling-past-the-malware dept.

adamengst sends in an article from TidBITS in which Macintosh security expert Rich Mogull explains why he doesn't use antivirus software on the Mac, and why most Mac users shouldn't bother with it either. The article also touches on the question of when an increasing Mac market share might tip it over an inflection point into more active attention from malware writers. (Last month Apple had 14% of PC sales, but 25% of dollar value.)

14 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. Nay! by ak3ldama · · Score: 5, Funny

    Last month Apple had 14% of PC sales, but 25% of dollar value.

    Say it isn't so. Everyone knows macs are just as cheap as PCs!

    --
    "but money is the God of Algiers & Mahomet their prophet." - Rich. O'Bryen June 8th 1786
    1. Re:Nay! by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1, Funny

      >I'm glad my Mac isn't as "cheap" as a lot of the PCs I see.

      Good for you rich guy. This is like listening to my boss talk about his Porsche. I honestly cant afford a mac, unless its a 4 year old beater, but I can afford a budget PC that's pretty powerful and can last until the new budget models are almost twice as fast.

      Anything else you want to add? Your favorite caviar perhaps or what style of ascot is in? Im really sick of this 'money makes right' attitude so many people have, especially mac owners.

  2. Re:It's called a "Disk Image" by speroni · · Score: 1, Funny

    Macs: Can't even get negative attention.

    --
    Eschew Obfuscation
  3. Re:Yes by The+End+Of+Days · · Score: 5, Funny

    But computing feels so much better without antivirus.

  4. Re:I already *don't* run AV on a PC by street+struttin' · · Score: 3, Funny

    To date, I've never been bitten by any viruses.

    Don't taunt the IT gods. Their wrath is mighty and swift...

  5. Re:False Sense of Security Trumps Logic by Brian+Gordon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of course nobody on slashdot needs any antivirus at all. We generally stay well-patched and aren't idiotic enough to run untrusted code.. thus your machine is impervious to viruses. Doesn't protect you from hacking attempts, but that's nothing that AV would fix anyway.

  6. Re:No by serviscope_minor · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't use AV for Windows ... 15 years of no viruses, no malware, etc.


    And you presumable know this because you've never had a virus detected. Wait a minute... :-)
    --
    SJW n. One who posts facts.
  7. Re:Yes by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2, Funny

    If your Mac runs MS-Office software or other cross-platform software that has infectable data files, you are vulnerable to some Macro viruses. HA! Shows what you know! Thanks to the benevolence of Microsoft, I don't have to worry about macro viruses any more - Office 2008 doesn't come with Visual Basic!

    Thanks, Microsoft, you're always looking after the little guy!!

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  8. Re:It's called a "Disk Image" by clang_jangle · · Score: 2, Funny

    It is a fact which has proven to my satisfaction. Oh sure, the NSA might have us all trojaned, but I have strong faith in their incompetence. :)

    --
    Caveat Utilitor
  9. Simpler Method than AV by raftpeople · · Score: 2, Funny

    How hard is it really for someone to send an e-mail back to their friend or family member and ask them if they created the file they sent
    Let's see how that might play out:

    To: friend@xmail, From: t-maxx cowboy
    Subject: Re: e-mail you sent me recently
    Just wanted to verify you created the file in that e-mail you just sent me

    To: t-maxx cowboy, From: friend@xmail
    Subject: Re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    Which one, the list of my favorite tequilas?

    To: friend@xmail, From: t-maxx cowboy
    Subject: Re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    No, not the tequila list, the softball schedule

    To: t-maxx cowboy, From: friend@xmail
    Subject: Re: re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    Did I create it? Do you mean did I make up the schedule? No that's the league that does that

    To: friend@xmail, From: t-maxx cowboy
    Subject: Re: re: re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    I didn't mean did you make up the schedule, I meant did you create that file yourself

    To: t-maxx cowboy, From: friend@xmail
    Subject: Re: re: re: re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    I'm not sure I know what you are getting at. I merged the league schedule with our availability xls, why?

    To: friend@xmail, From: t-maxx cowboy
    Subject: Re: re: re: re: re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    I'm trying to figure out if I should open that file or not

    To: t-maxx cowboy, From: friend@xmail
    Subject: Re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: e-mail you sent me recently
    Well, if you want to play on our F*CKING softball team you better open it and quick bugging me with these D*MN questions!

  10. pshaw by nuzak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't even run AV software on my PC, and I've yet to encounter any problems. I really don't see what the fuss is about.

    --
    Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
  11. Re:It's called a "Disk Image" by clang_jangle · · Score: 4, Funny

    My sainted grandmother swears by garlic and a crucifix, you insensitive clod!

    --
    Caveat Utilitor
  12. Re:It's called a "Disk Image" by bruce_the_loon · · Score: 4, Funny

    My cursed great-great-great-great grandfather still swears at garlic and a crucifix, you insensitive clod!

    And at the sun.

    --
    Trying to become famous by taking photos. Visit my homepage please.
  13. Re:It's called a "Disk Image" by clang_jangle · · Score: 3, Funny

    We must introduce them.

    --
    Caveat Utilitor