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7 Replies Last post: Jul 8, 2003 10:28 AM by Yossi  
Click to view cheoks's profile New Member 1 posts since
Jun 20, 2003
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Jun 20, 2003 12:30 AM

Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?

Need some advice please...

Just bought a PowerBook G4 and want to find out whether is it necessary to protect my investment by getting an anti virus software. I have been getting mixed answers - some laughed and said its not necessary, while other say it would be good idea.

So what's the verdict ? Are Macs less prone to virus attacks ? Would an anti virus program affect performance ? And if you do need the anti virus software, what brand should you buy ?

What does the board say ? And what do the pros say ?

Need help please ! Thanks much !

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Click to view fizgig777's profile Member 377 posts since
Dec 20, 2002
1. Jun 20, 2003 10:28 AM in response to: cheoks
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
I've recommended Norton AntiVirus and/or Virex to my clients. Both seem to work pretty well. While Macs. aren't as prone to viruses, the ones that do get them seem to be pretty bad...

Just my two pennies...
Click to view bracken's profile New Member 100 posts since
Jun 18, 2003
2. Jun 20, 2003 8:02 PM in response to: cheoks
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
Ahhh...viruses, how 90s!

In reply to:<hr />
So what's the verdict ? Are Macs less prone to virus attacks ?

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There's about 50 Mac classic viruses. There aren't any reported OS X viruses. Windows on the other hand...

In reply to:<hr />
Would an anti virus program affect performance ?

<hr />


Depends on what settings you use. Most default settings I've seen do degrade performance.

In reply to:<hr />
And if you do need the anti virus software, what brand should you buy ?

<hr />


If anything, McAfee Virex X. (I heard Norton AntiVirus doesn't scan for Windows viruses but I could be wrong.) If you exchange files with Windows users alot you could scan them to not pass the viruses along. Consider it a public service.

I've had Virex 7 for two years. It's never found anything. Matterafact, I'm going to delete it. It's a waste of hard drive space.

Spend your dough on an external storage device to make backups of your User folder, etc. Backups are always good to have. A virus scanner for an operating system with no viruses is not.

Here are some more comments about virus scanning on OS X.
Click to view BHeth's profile Member 294 posts since
Jun 19, 2003
3. Jun 23, 2003 11:11 AM in response to: bracken
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
The newest Norton 9.0 checks for Windows viruses.
Click to view rdurham's profile New Member 82 posts since
Jan 19, 2001
4. Jul 2, 2003 6:08 PM in response to: cheoks
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
I agree that Norton Anti-Virus and Virex are both very good. Yes, Mac's do get viruses from time to time and we are not exempt from viruses. It is just that there are so many more Win. machines out there, so most of the viruses are for Window's. Beleive me, if Apple had 90% market share, we would have many more problems with viruses. I have anti-virus protection on all of my machines. One other thing, since new viruses are being written every day, when you do buy an anti-virus program, remember to check every month for updates, or set your auto-update feature to once a month.
Click to view fletch's profile New Member 106 posts since
Apr 14, 2002
5. Jul 6, 2003 8:41 AM in response to: rdurham
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
Virus protection is like that slogan from the NRA about firearms. "It is better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it." I alternate between virex and sophos. I get both for free, but neither offer always on protection. I hear the new norton does, and I may buy the new systemworks next month.
Click to view schokid02's profile Enthusiast 1,321 posts since
Jun 28, 2002
6. Jul 7, 2003 8:14 AM in response to: fletch
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
I've had Norton Antivirus and Utilities for many years now and not once have I had a virus show up. Now, I have used the Utilities numerous times, such as Disk Repair and Optimizer. Both have worked okay. Recently though I have had disk problems at work. Norton was useless. I just purchased the much-raved-about Disk Warrior. I have read in many places though that Norton is nothing compared to Disk Warrior. I'll find out soon. So you might want to look into Disk Warrior options before spending money on Norton. I agree with fletch though, better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Click to view Yossi's profile Member 681 posts since
Apr 30, 2002
7. Jul 8, 2003 10:28 AM in response to: schokid02
Re: Anti Virus software for Mac G4 ?
It's a waste of time and money, OSX is virus-less, the only virus it can accept is macros for **M$** Office.

I'm just laughing away when i see my friends sleepless because of viruses, they should buy a Mac. Good luck to them.