Since about 90% of computers aren't Macs, the bad guys focus on PCs. However, there are viruses that affect Macs, and, while using a Mac is a safer way to go online, the salesman's statement is a bit of a stretch. I don't care what brand of computer or operating system you are using, you should still have virus protection.

I agree with Kudzu. In fact, I recently read an article that Apple now advises using AV protection for their machines. That is a switch, and the salespeople need to be brought up to date.

indeed Apple put out an advisory recently for the use of antivirus and antimalware for their computers since there have been more nasties hitting that affect Apple.

Not near the number that are out there for Windows but still there are some. Just do a google search for topics having to do with Apple and antivirus etc.

My iMac is up, running, and on-line 24/7/365 and has been for three years. I browse anywhere/everywhere I want any time I want. I even go to known-nasty sites. Zero bugs of any kind since I plugged it in three years ago. Seems to me if somebody was going to get something, it would be me.

Maybe my world's about to change....but I haven't seen any evidence of it yet other than increasing hearsay.

Asolo--How do you know you don't have an infection of some sort? Years ago, most infections were of the sort to do some sort of damage to the local PC. Lately, many infections try to remain hidden from the user so that they can be used to set up botnets and be used for criminal purposes. Since they're designed to be stealthy, many users are infected without even realizing it.

Hi, bpgreen

Well, I'm no techie, but I can tell you when my PC's had trouble I knew it. All I can tell you is there is zero evidence of any such thing having occurred. Like zero. Machine and OS operate like they did first day out of the box and I have received no response from any source at any time indicating zombie-like behavior.

Maybe I've got the southeast Amazonian creeping gat, too, but I feel fine.

You can bet if it changes, I'll be back here howling. Not today.

Keep in mind I'm not insisting there's no trouble or potential trouble out there. Only saying it's not happening to me and that given my browsing behavior it would have if it was going to.

"Maybe I've got the southeast Amazonian creeping gat, too, but I feel fine."

A better analogy would be that maybe you've got high blood pressure, but you feel fine. You can have high blood pressure and not realize it, but it can still kill you.

In the same way, your computer can have a stealth infection (keystroke logger, botnet software, etc) and you wouldn't know it. That's what is meant by stealth infections. A stealth infection relies on remaining hidden to do its dirty work.

I've seen people who had infections and they never knew they had a problem.

I was on a project once where the corporate network started having performance problems. One guy would get so fed up he'd go back to the hotel and work from his room. We finally figured out that the guy who kept going to the hotel to work was the one who was infected. He never saw any problems on his computer and never caused any problems anywhere but on the corporate network (not when he was home, not when he was at the hotel, not at other client sites, etc).

I'm not saying that you are infected. I'm just saying that not seeing any evidence of it doesn't mean that you aren't infected. Macs are definitely less likely to be infected. They're built on top of BSD and are more secure to start, and they're also a smaller percentage of the machines so they aren't targeted as much.

fwiw, my tech guy (he services the PC's where I work, but answers questions not work-related) sez Avast has antivirus for Macs. I'm definitely going to look into that. Better safe than sorry, I think.

Thanks for all your input.
Jann

Here ya go.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Avast! for Mac

Someone told me if you have used a PC, you will not like a Mac. I took them at their word.

Hoo boy, I strongly disagree with that! Do believe all of my Mac friends (all long-time PC users formerly) would concur.

After more than a decade with PC's and no previous Mac experience (except playing in the store) I had mine out of the box, up, running, and on-line in under an hour. I was comfortable in a couple of days. Transferring files was a breeze. Everything worked right from minute one.

I was so paranoid that I had intended to keep the old PC side-by-side for a number of months until I got used to the new Mac. After day two I never turned it on again. After two weeks I packed it up and sold it.

I don't think I've ever met somebody who switched from PC to Mac and didn't like it. I stick with Windows for work related reasons, but everybody I know who uses Macs loves them (even or maybe especially former PC users).

FYI...out of curiosity engendered here, I downloaded and ran Avast! for Mac.

It is not yet ready for prime time. Interface is slightly obtuse but, more to the point, it is bug-ridden and troublesome. Finding this hard to accept, I blew it out and re-downloaded and re-installed. Hangs up every time. Don't know why. I had always been impressed with Avast! on my PC's. This version's not ready for market.

Or....maybe it's just me. Who knows? Anyway, I blew all away and I'm going back to my previous oblivious -- but happy -- computer-life.

Still curious. Downloaded and ran ClamXav recommended from macforums FAQ site. Scanned all applications and download folders and couple of other random folders.

Found nothing. That would be NOTHING after my three years of 24/7/365 always-on browsing with the iMac.

Maybe bugs are coming for Macs but if they were here, I'd have 'em, and I don't.

OK, I'm done. Back to oblivious and happy.

I received an email from Crossloop today saying they now have a program for Mac users. Might be useful for some Mac users to help family and friends or get help from another Mac user. This is a free program.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crossloop for Mac

This will probably rock the foundations in Redmond, but since there has been an increase in software availability for Mac even I have been kicking around the idea of buying one. Just to tinker with and use in conjunction with my desktop.

Jann,

Good luck with yours and enjoy it. If you can get a free or low cost AV, use it.

DA

It is just up to what you can and are willing to learn and take the time to learn, most pc users I know that go to mac and also to linux are very happy to have made the switch, those that don't want to take the time and effort to learn a new OS won't like it because of the learning effort. I took the plunge to linux a few years ago and have never looked back and today use linux pretty much full time, I do still have a couple of windows boxes here but only time they get used is to get the updates for them and run their scans.

so good luck with the mac, remember that you will be learning a new OS so just be prepared to take the time needed to do so and find some good mac related forums they will be a blessing just as the linux forums are for linux users. Installing a mac AV and malware program is just being a good user, you pay a lot for your machine you want to protect it, much like insurance on a new car. As a linux user I have clamAV on my linux machines mainly to not spread something to a windows machine I might send something to including my own, would not hurt my linux box but could hurt a windows recipient, so having an AV on a machine is not just for you but to help protect others as well.

Jan, I'm new to Mac too, but have many friends and colleagues who've used it for years. All of them, including the guys at the Apple store, say there's no need for virus protection. I've always erred on the side of caution when it comes to my online activity and that won't change with the Mac, but I'm not buying into the need for protection. That's one of the main reasons I gave up on PC's.

I did a quick google and found an abundance of the AV related posts.
Apple advises users to get anti-virus
Mac OS: Antivirus Utilities

as to why, this quote explains that
"It's more a recognition that Mac users are vulnerable to Web application exploits, which have replaced operating system vulnerabilities as the bigger threat to computer users."

Most of the really nasty malware recently have been of that type which can be cross platform depending on what is on the system and how it is configured.

and to help keep any windows based viruses from being passed on from a mac to a pc, just like why I use AV on my linux box.
Any use of security programs is for precautionary measures anyway.

Here is a link that might be useful: the google

Thank you all for the encouragement. I'm reading everything I can get my hands on to pre-learn the Mac. Since there's nothing urgent about learning it, I plan to take my time. That may be a while, because I still haven't learned all the ins and outs of my W/98, and I've been using it since 2001-ish.

Cheers,
Jann

Congrats! (: Mac is a really great and reliable computer. As for viruses - there are viruses for Mac OS, but in comparison to the ones for PCs there are really few of them. However, try not to download pirated software and that staff from unreliable sites and install a firewall - you should be fine then (: The only tool for protection I use is ProteMac NetMine, and that's really enough.

Hi, all. I have the new baby. It's up and running on a limited basis. I'm still looking for just the right antivirus and only visiting sites I know until I find it. Sure disappointed that Avast's program seems unreliable. But the laptop itself is a sweetheart. I can't wait to trade in my desk-top for another Mac--just so i can impress people. LOL
Jann in Mac land

yer gunna luv it! Surf anywhere you want. I suspect you'll stop worrying about the theoretical bug problem pretty quickly.

In a matter of minutes you can download and try Avast! for yourself. Simple enough to figure out and won't hurt anything. Maybe will work for you although didn't for me.

"Most of the "viruses" that have been released that target the Mac are software exploits, but they don't really get anywhere. The reason is that Mac OS/Darwin is a multi-user OS where the user does NOT have admin privileges. That means that malicious software cannot surreptitiously attack the main underlying system.

I'm not saying that Macs are foolproof, and I do believe that any computer user has to be vigilant."

Quite simply, UNIX is a more secure OS architecture than Windows.

Mac has iBotnet thing in the news alot lately.
Recently saw they have something worse than conflictor that servers are fighting with for the past few months that can take over mac too. Forget its name.

Most people say with mac you have to install the bad guy,, so be careful where you get stuff.

Thanks for the heads-up. I don't install much of anything, just read and maybe print an interesting article. I still want something "just in case", but not getting anything until I see others raving about it. Sure wish there was a terrific forum like this for Mac users. There are forums, but they're difficult to use and read through. This'n's a winner!!!

Jann

FYI....below is link to my favorite Mac place. Quite a bit of activity and some very knowledgeable people. They've set me straight on all kinds of issues over the years. Plenty of discussion about what's liked and not liked. You have to sign up but it is free. Highly recommended.

PS...among their forums is a "switcher hangout". In the beginning, I learned a lot there.

Here is a link that might be useful: my favorite Mac site

just saw this new article today
Apple security is 'struggling,' researcher says

I never see users complain about malware on macs.

Asolo - thank you. Someone (maybe you?) already sent me there and I've signed up mainly because of that switcher's hangout. Haven't had time to really study the postings like I need to.

Raven-thanks for another heads-up.

Jann in Mac Land