Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
MacBook Online Security
I have just got a MacBook, and this is my first experience with Macs. I have only ever used PCs, so have a lot to learn...
Question- What do you all do for online security? I have a Virgin router with a firewall embedded. I spoke to one friend that they did nothing, not even virus protection. So, what do you guys all use and at what cost?
Tags for Forum Posts: macbook, macbook security, online security
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Nothing. Viruses are the reason I started ponying up for Macs. I'd recommend a ChromeBook if you want to spend 25% of that and get 75% of the functionality.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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Too late on the ChromeBook front John.. So, you currently have no specific security beyond what the MacBook may have in built?
Virgin do free PC security softwear but it seems to they do not do anything for Macs- I used the PC version a few years ago and it was sluggish I have to say. I use F-Secure for the PC now.
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Nothing, I don't even turn on the internal Mac firewall. They're beautiful machines and can be enjoyed "without protection".
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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John are you familiar with Steve Gibson Corporation's ShieldsUP! ?
ShieldsUP! simulates a (nefarious) probing of all your ports, if you'll forgive the description
(scroll two thirds the way down and click on link on left; click on 'Proceed').
I use this comprehensive test now and again to check the hardness of my defences. I imagine it could sometimes give "Windows" users a fright – and gives Mac users the reassurance they might feel even more comfortable with. It's nice to get the kind of FULL STEALTH report I did a few moments ago:
Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.
There's good internet security information at that site for all 'net users.
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Spot on Neil, thanks. I figured the router firewall would do, but this cannot harm either- especially if I am on an unsecured network.
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Permalink Reply by michaelw on
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The default firewall setting is I think to only allow access for signed software.
Also worth noting that there is also a setting which controls which software is allowed to open - only from Mac App Store, App Store plus developers registered with apple or open any software - the first two options are the best!
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I've been using Mac's since 1991 - in the early days there were a few moderately effective viruses (spread e.g. by infected floppies), so I used some free anti-virus software. I haven't used it for years though.
Basically, as long as you keep your Mac updated you don't need anti-virus software - it's worth noting that Apple already includes an anti-malware component in the operating system, & it is updated frequently.
The main risks are Flash & Java (which you probably won't have installed anyway) - one thing it is worth doing is to download the latest Flash update from adobe.com - it should then auto-update anyway.
This article gives you more info: http://tidbits.com/article/13476
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Permalink Reply by Marek on
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Mac OS X system is only 8% of computer market and it is not attractive for virus and malware creators. As you can see probability of stealing money and robbing your bank account is about 10 times smaller with Mac system than with Windows Operating System.
An up to day OS and a bit of common sense with an activated firewall will protect your machine very well. Remember than nobody invented anythings like an absolute protection against electronic infections.
Even the most expensive anti-virus will not make this different
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Permalink Reply by DrWhams on
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Unless you are very savvy about the nature of trojans and other malware then I strongly recommend the use of an antivirus package. A lot of people seem to think that macs are somehow immune from threats, which turns out to be great for malware writers because they think they won't get infected. There have been some very nasty ones in the last year or so such as MacDefender and Flashback. There is nothing about the architecture of the OS that makes it intrinsically more secure -- most of these attacks exploit bugs in the OS or other components (java, flash) and bypass the protections that you thought you had.
Generally I'd recommend enabling the firewall (though in those particular infections it won't have helped). However if you're at home then your router will keep most of the nasties out. If you're out and about using a public network using a firewall is absolutely essential.
As the market share of macs grow so does their attractiveness to malware authors, so the best advice is not to be complacent about security. Also, don't forget that security is about more than viruses -- look at the damage that can be done if your email account or online backups get hacked.
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I'd agree that Apple's anti-malware system was not as rapid in handling these as it should have been, though updates meant that the malware was pretty rapidly removed. However, there is little evidence of significant damage caused by them.
However, Apple have become more aggressive since - disabling old versions of flash, and disabling java web plug ins at least twice so far this year.
As the article I mentioned earlier (http://tidbits.com/article/13476) states:
"Considering the current state of Mac security and the malware environment today, I find it hard to recommend Mac antivirus tools for most consumers. OS X’s built-in security and basic malware protection currently stops most or even all existing Mac malware, and new malware variants don’t appear often enough for antivirus tools to provide a significant benefit by protecting personal Macs. Mac infections are so rare, and antivirus tools are so limited, that they simply don’t offer enough value for most Mac users — even the free ones."
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I think it's early days yet - new attack vectors are discovered all the time (though as I mentioned, malware isn't necessarily the greatest security risk). MacDefender and Flashback were relatively benign - the next one may not be. I would still say that as a general rule of thumb if you are savvy enough to know what you're doing and can recognise the typical attack vector of a trojan then you're probably ok with the machine as is. If not, then get Antivirus. Exactly the same rationale applies on a PC. The built-in system does a fine enough job.
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Thanks for your comments everyone.
I saw this tonight, wondered what you make of it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21510791
I am used to how updates work for PC, but how do they work for Macs? Do they download automatically, or do we have to actively seek and install them?
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