what is a good mac antivirus program?

August 18, 2005 4:54 AM

What is a good Mac antivirus program?

I work at a corporation. We currently use Norton AntiVirus for mac and I don't like it. (1. it had issues with the 10.3.9 upgrade and any install of Tiger. 2. it sends a false positive for the 1 mac virus out there and won't clean it up. 3. we're all mixed up with some corporate versions and some retail versions and figuring out who has what would be too time consuming.) I don't have the time to manage the backend, so I'd like one that updates via the internet. It would also be helpful if it was easy to install. Any suggestions?

posted by k8t to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Most Mac users don't even bother with virus scanners, as there's essentially zilch for Mac viruses (as you seem to have noted). Because of that, at least in my experience, there aren't any 'good' virus scanners, at least if by 'good' you mean 'highly recommended by the community'.

Are you are being forced to have virus protection running by your IT department? Do you regularly host Windows files or otherwise share lots of stuff with Windows clients (e.g. are you a possible transmission vector)?

If the answer to both of those is no, then I would recommend not installing a new virus scanner. Not only are they really not necessary, but (as in Windows) their intrusiveness in the operating system means they are prime candidates for instability.

Just the other day I had to remove Sophos Anti-virus from my PowerBook because I found it was constantly causing my machine to hang whenever I used it (the PB) offline.

Anyway, if you (or your IT department) do have a burning need for virus protection, all I can say is to avoid Sophos as per above, and that my alma mater's OIT recommended Virex, but I never used it so cannot comment on its effectiveness.
posted by cyrusdogstar at 5:14 AM on August 18, 2005

Response by poster: Yes, we have to have antivirus - we are a primarily Windows environment, with about 10% macs. PS, I am in the IT department.

We used Virex at my alma mater as well, but as I understand the company went under or somehow isn't being used anymore?
posted by k8t at 5:27 AM on August 18, 2005

Best answer: The last version of Virex got some pretty rubbish reviews from what I recall - I think it was something about some kernel extensions causing problems with Tiger.

ClamAV might be a good option with a front end available here.
posted by edd at 5:34 AM on August 18, 2005

I'll also add that Apple include ClamAV with OS X Server and dropped Virex from .Mac.
posted by edd at 5:41 AM on August 18, 2005

i personally like, and have installed Virus Barrier, by a company called Intego. they have a really nice suite that has that, a network monitor, a really nice back up program, and a anti-spam filter.

and i really did not mean for that to come out like a sales pitch.

/pepsi blue
posted by ShawnString at 7:07 AM on August 18, 2005

Best answer: I'll third ClamAV and ClamXav (although that interface is pretty clunky for Mac software, but it does the job).

I'll also add that antivirus is almost useless on a Mac. I have ClamAV mainly to make sure I don't infect the Windows laptop on accident. Thus free is the only price I'm willing to pay.
posted by teece at 8:02 AM on August 18, 2005