Mac users: Do you have anti virus stuff?

[poet]

OSX is basically a unice with the root account turned off by default. It's difficult to imagine a non-embedded system with less potential for vulnerability, especially considering the quality of patches coming from apple. As long as you've got a strong admin password and are careful about using it, you keep up with the security updates, you backup and you don't do anything really stupid you'll be fine, a virus scanner is a waste of money and computing resources. That might change at some point in the future, but for the moment it's not worth bothering.

 

[rocketman]

OSX is basically a unice with the root account turned off by default. It's difficult to imagine a non-embedded system with less potential for vulnerability, especially considering the quality of patches coming from apple. As long as you've got a strong admin password and are careful about using it, you keep up with the security updates, you backup and you don't do anything really stupid you'll be fine, a virus scanner is a waste of money and computing resources. That might change at some point in the future, but for the moment it's not worth bothering.

I completely agree, but I have some resources to waste, and have a reason (because I do a lot using email) to choose to virus-check, and recommend others in the same position to do the same.
But I'll admit that's a change to my original position, so thanks for that.

 

[jæd]

jaed, you probably read what I write about this. Macs are my main business. My beliefs are just considered opinion. I'm no troll, and I agree viruses are rare. As I said in this thread, I use Virex to protect the Windows users I communicate with, at this stage. I also recommend being prepared when using IT.

Well I suppose I should get some AV just in case but I see it as waste in cycles... The usual problem I find with Windows is that all the AntiVirues stuff usually slows the machine down and causes more problems then anything else.

 

[rocketman]

Well I suppose I should get some AV just in case but I see it as waste in cycles... The usual problem I find with Windows is that all the AntiVirues stuff usually slows the machine down and causes more problems then anything else.

Trouble with Windows is you is damned if you do and damned if you don't. It's a great system. It's clear why business leaders trust it.

 

[jæd]

Trouble with Windows is you is damned if you do and damned if you don't. It's a great system. It's clear why business leaders trust it.

Had an interesting discussion over the weekend with a banker. They've moved several systems from Linux servers to Windows servers. Management are happy but the actual users are frustrated as they have to deal with more down time...

 

[j26]

I just checked and my pb Firewall is off.

Presumably it should be on.

 

[reallyoldhippy]

It's clear why business leaders trust it.

'cos it and the hardware it runs on is cheap. And they know no better. I've worked for too many people who have to have the latest kit on their desk, even if they never use it, to trust their opinion on anything IT.

 

[rocketman]

'cos it and the hardware it runs on is cheap. And they know no better. I've worked for too many people who have to have the latest kit on their desk, even if they never use it, to trust their opinion on anything IT.

I don't get your latter point, but on the first point, surely downtime, extra investments in maintenance, and security problems eat up that initial hardware saving fairly fast? Plus the need to hire more WIndows tech support people per seat than with alternative platforms. It's a paper saving on a tax-deductible expense that makes no real medium or long term sense.

Having said that, it does make sense if a company has bespoke or already acquired software the business relies on that it needs to keep using. Trapped by history, as it were.