Re: best antivirus solution for a Mac.

From: zodor (not_at_home.com)
Date: 12/30/04 

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 18:08:41 GMT

Coach, it doesn't bother me to have you jump in. After all, the
purpose of Usenet is to share ideas. I would hope that people can do
so in a rational, intelligent manner. Flames are not needed and
insults are for the small minded who have no other argument to
present.

I have experienced some problems with Windows. I did not in anyway
say that it is perfect, although I have to admit that I am far happier
with XP than any of the previous versions. It is much more stable and
does operate faster, especially on loading. For what it is worth, I
have also experienced problems with OS X as I stated in my previous
message.

As for security patches, Apple has had their fair share of patches and
updates for Panther in the last year too. As a matter of fact, The
laptops that I setup at a school last here have had 2 major service
packs and several security updates. If you aren't running Software
Update at least weekly, you are asking for problems.

Yes Windows has had some security problems in the past and more will
be found in the future. The same can be said for OS X and Linux/Unix.

The proliferation of viruses can be attributed in part to that, but
also to the mindset of the folks writting them. Most are Script
Kiddies who are only interested in causing as much havoc as they can,
in this vein they target the most popular OS. Add in a large number
of people who aren't careful in their networking and you have a
problem.

Most Antivirus programs can be setup to automate their update process
as well as scans. Both of my computers, as well as the computers in
the office, automatically launch a full system scan every night at
11:30. I am not using the computer then so it isn't a problem for me.
I get a report on the screen in the morning, but I haven't had a viral
infection in quite some time.

AdWare and SpyWare is a problem on both platforms. Some of it is
written in Java which goes both ways. Others are Cookies and they can
be turned off using the browser security settings.

I think that it is great that you are productive on a Mac. After all,
that is what computing is all about. I am also happy that a Mac has
helped your mother. I just find the people that look at either
platform with rose colored glasses to be tiresome. I once had a
teacher tell me that I was out of touch with reality and a moron
because I didn't see her Mac as the greatest invention of all time.
That kind of worship of a tool, I don't understand.

I will say this. If Steve Jobs and Apple had allowed clone
manufacturers in 1984 when they released the first Mac, I believe that
they would have buried Mircrosoft. But hindsight is 20-20.

Relevant Pages

  • RE: New Update for #70-299
    ... > Segment A contains a single server named TestKing1. ... > Segment B contains all other computers, ... > TestKing?s written security policy states that Segment B ... > Updates on all computers in Segment B to use ...
    (microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse)
  • Re: best antivirus solution for a Mac.
    ... there isn't any complaints what so ever with any MAC OS ... > updates for Panther in the last year too. ... > packs and several security updates. ... Both of my computers, as well as the computers in ...
    (microsoft.public.macintosh.general)
  • Re: best antivirus solution for a Mac.
    ... DVD driver doesn't play nice with the printer driver for some reason. ... > updates for Panther in the last year too. ... > packs and several security updates. ... > I think that it is great that you are productive on a Mac. ...
    (microsoft.public.macintosh.general)
  • Experts: Malicious program targets Macs
    ... It seems that as sleek Mac computers become more popular, they're also more sought-after targets for the authors of harmful programs. ... "The bad guys generally go toward the biggest target, what will get them the biggest bang for their buck," said Kevin Haley, a director of security response at Symantec. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.apps)
  • Security analysts: Mac attacks rare but may rise
    ... But as more people use Apple products, experts say the company is increasingly becoming a target for cyber pranksters and criminals writing viruses and other forms of malware. ... The threat was highlighted earlier this week after a handful of the company's iPods were shipped with the RavMonE.exe virus, which targeted iPods used with Microsoft Windows-based computers. ... Oliver Friedrichs, director of security response at Symantec, a leading anti-virus software vendor, said 72 vulnerabilities were discovered in the Mac's OS X operating system in 2006, up from 19 in 2004. ... And Symantec identified six threats of malicious code written for the Mac OS X operating system in the first half of 2006, versus zero in the second half of 2005 and two the year before that. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)