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To: Swordmaker

We have all been told that Macs don't get virus's. Then why in the world do they need anti-virus software?


7 posted on 02/22/2006 10:12:28 PM PST by Revel
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To: Revel
We have all been told that Macs don't get virus's. Then why in the world do they need anti-virus software?

Until this past week, the Mac Anti-virus ware has included definitions for the 134 OS9 and older Mac viruses, the MS Office Macro viruses, and all the Windows viruses... any Mac user that purchased and ran one of them did so as a courtesy to their Windows using friends to avoid passing on any virus that might appear in a file or email they forwarded to a Windows user.

They added a couple of proofs of concept in the last five years like Renepo.A

Now they can include the Leap.A, and this one... glorified Trojans.

9 posted on 02/22/2006 10:19:05 PM PST by Swordmaker (Beware of Geeks bearing GIFs.)
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To: Revel
We have all been told that Macs don't get virus's.

It's more accurate to say that a Mac OS X virus has not been found yet "in the wild". There is always a risk that a Mac virus could appear in the future. But so far, the Mac has a great track record - especially compared to Windows.

Then why in the world do they need anti-virus software?

Anti-virus software is available for Macs - but hardly anyone has it. Good OS security design has kept 25 million Mac users safe so far.

Apple distributes a free anti-virus system called "ClamAV" with Mac OS X Server. If a real virus threat does emerge, I hope Apple has ClamAV ready to download for all Macs.

10 posted on 02/22/2006 10:39:00 PM PST by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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