The appearance of Trojans and other malware that can possibly infect a Mac seems to be growing, but is a completely different issue to viruses.

TROJANS and RE-DIRECTION TO FAKE WEBSITES It is always a good idea to Block Pop-ups in your browser preferences. Malware spreads through search engines like Google via a method known as 'SEO poisoning.' The sites are designed to game search engine algorithms and show up when users search for certain topics. The company noted on its site it is not affiliated with the malware.) *(This malware is not to be confused with MacDefender, the maker of geocaching software including GCStatistic and DTmatrix. But users must also agree to install the software, leaving the potential threat limited. *Malicious software dubbed MACDefender takes aim at users of the Mac OS X operating system by automatically downloading a file through JavaScript. Also, beware of MacSweeper and MACDefender* (also goes under the name of MacProtector, MacGuard, MacSecurity or MacShield): These are malware that mislead users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer in an attempt to obtain payment for an application that does nothing that free utilities do not also offer, and in many cases will also mess up your system. Examples include MacKeeper and iAntivirus, but there are others. Once installed, the software may steal data or force people to make a payment to register the fake product. Norton Anti-Virus is not compatible with Apple OS X.ĭo not install MacKeeper or iAnti-Virus : See this User Tip: įAKE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE and associated MALWARE (To repeat: the expression ‘malware’ is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software.)ĭo not be tricked by 'scareware', such as pop-ups on your browser, that tempts computer users to download fake anti-virus software that may itself be malware. Our resident expert Thomas A Reed offers excellent guidance on this subject here: Do not install Norton Anti-Virus on a Mac as it can seriously damage your operating system. Many use the free ClamXav just to check incoming emails for this reason. Whilst viruses designed to attack the Microsoft Windows operating system cannot affect Apple OS X, it is possible to pass on a Windows virus, which you may have received but not noticed, to a Windows user, for example through an email attachment. So what other anti-virus software do I need (or if I am still running Tiger or Leopard) ? Later versions of OS X include further features to protect you, about which here: and Apple also recommend that you take simple steps to protect your Mac as detailed here: Since the introduction of Snow Leopard, Apple OS X has an anti-malware system built-in known as XProtect but officially called File Quarantine (see here: ), which may alert you to, and prevent installation of, certain forms of malware. Not all malware are viruses.) Whilst it is a fairly safe bet that your Mac will NOT be infected by a virus, it may have other security-related problem, but more likely a technical problem unrelated to any malware threat. ( The expression ‘malware’ is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software. The same is not true of other forms of malware, such as Trojans. in anything other than laboratory conditions. Using the strict definition of a computer virus, no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. There are many forms of ‘Malware’ that can affect a computer system, of which ‘a virus’ is but one type, ‘trojans’ another. If you have further questions please post in the forum appropriate to your particular hardware or operating system. The following seeks to offer some guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them. No computer system is completely immune from possible attack, but Apple’s OS X (being Unix-based) is less vulnerable than most, particularly the latest versions from Lion onwards.

DON’T PANIC! But be aware that the Internet is riddled with potential threats to the security and well-being of your Mac or iOS device.

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