Can Macs have virus/spyware problems?

[Scotty]

Today I tried to use the translator on the Google Language Tools (http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en) page and after I entered the text and hit the 'Translate' button I got this message:

We're sorry...

... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.

We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, if you suspect that your computer or network has been infected, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your systems are free of viruses and other spurious software.

From everything that I ever understood Macs are not affected by viruses. However, I have noticed that my computer has been somewhat slow recently with just a few different programs are running at the same time (Safari and iTunes, for example).

And a few months ago I tried to transfer a file to a friends computer (a PC) with a USB pen and his security program showed that the pen was full of infected files.

So I would like to know if it is possible that my Mac is being affected by viruses/spyward. I would like to get rid of the problems; not just for myself, but also to make sure I don't pass anything on to any PC users I come into contact with.

Are there any programs for Mac out there that I could use to run a sweep and eliminate any problems?

Thank in advance...

[Motterman]

I actually just heard about ClamAV's new free product and will be installing this on my Mac tonight. Yes, Macs are susceptible to virus infections, but they've traditionally been smaller target for hackers.

Here's the link:

http://www.clamxav.com/

[JeremyEritrea]

Q: Can Macs have virus/spyware problems?
A: Of course they can.

Bottom line, the only reason you see more viruses for PCs is that virus creators target the machines that are the most popular. If Macs had more market share, there would be a whole lot more Mac viruses out there.

There's absolutely nothing inherently more "safe" about Macs with regard to malware.

[Samarkand]

There is in one respect. It is impossible to surreptitiously install an application or a program (Trojan horse) on a Mac, as every download must be actively installed. It is very easy to set up malware to work around this on a PC and install crap unbeknownst to the owner.

[JeremyEritrea]

There is in one respect. It is impossible to surreptitiously install an application or a program (Trojan horse) on a Mac, as every download must be actively installed. It is very easy to set up malware to work around this on a PC and install crap unbeknownst to the owner.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9073398

http://www.net-security.org/malware_news.php?id=928

Just like viruses, Mac trojan horses are rare but not impossible.

[Motterman]

I actually just heard about ClamAV's new free product and will be installing this on my Mac tonight. Yes, Macs are susceptible to virus infections, but they've traditionally been smaller target for hackers.

Here's the link:

http://www.clamxav.com/

So far, the program seems pretty tight. :)

[Motterman]

DELETED

Strange, as the machines that I've seen with Vista installed, it's hard to tell if the sluggishness and problems are the result of outside infections or just the crapness of the O/S itself.

Of course, I dualboot my other laptop with XP Pro and CentOS and they both run okay. Stupid Microsoft retiring XP in the Fall...

[Neuwerld]

Strange, as the machines that I've seen with Vista installed, it's hard to tell if the sluggishness and problems are the result of outside infections or just the crapness of the O/S itself.

Of course, I dualboot my other laptop with XP Pro and CentOS and they both run okay. Stupid Microsoft retiring XP in the Fall...

I find that Vista slows any computer at least a bit in comparison to XP considering its graphic nature.

XP > Vista.

For now at least.

[what a goal!]

All computers have virus and spyware problems.

Just don't go opening dodgey emails. Or downloading other things that are unusual. It could be a bug.

Make sure that you have a good anti virus software program on your computer.

[Samarkand]

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9073398

http://www.net-security.org/malware_news.php?id=928

Just like viruses, Mac trojan horses are rare but not impossible.Again, those articles are talking about when users are fooled into actively installing malware. On a PC, malware can be installed unbeknownst to the user whereas that is just not possible on a Mac.

If you want to talk about users being fooled, about the behavior of the user, then no computer is safe and this conversation is not worth having; but if you're talking about operating systems, then it is possible for malware to be installed surreptitiously on a PC, unlike a Mac.

[Scotty]

So far, the program seems pretty tight. :)

So how did the ClamAV program work for you overall?

What exactly did it do to your computer?

[JeremyEritrea]

Again, those articles are talking about when users are fooled into actively installing malware. On a PC, malware can be installed unbeknownst to the user whereas that is just not possible on a Mac.

If you want to talk about users being fooled, about the behavior of the user, then no computer is safe and this conversation is not worth having; but if you're talking about operating systems, then it is possible for malware to be installed surreptitiously on a PC, unlike a Mac.

It is most certainly possible to install malware on a Mac surreptitiously. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? No.

There is nothing inherently more secure about OS-X versus any other operating system. There are holes in all of them, and the fact that Macs haven't been exploited as often as PCs has more to do with market share than it does with a non-existent enahnced security.

http://www.palluxo.com/2008/03/09/macintosh-malware-mac-os-x-security-flaws/

http://www.macforensicslab.com/Malware_on_Mac_OS_X.pdf

[Windows Vista]

Mac is virus-free!!! :D

[Foosinho]

Due to the nature of Windows, I do think it's easier for Windows machines to become infected. Mostly because 99% of all users are logged in with Administrative privleges.

Anyway, all computers should have some kind of anti-virus application. I run ClamAV on my Linux server, primarily to scan all incoming email. It's pretty good at picking off phishing emails too, which is good since I get a lot more of those than I do infected emails.

[Motterman]

So how did the ClamAV program work for you overall?

What exactly did it do to your computer?

I just downloaded it, installed it, updated the virus defs and ran a full scan.

I'll probably just leave it installed and update the virus defs every few weeks, as I'm not overly concerned about it, but it's nice to have peace of mind anyways.

I haven't noticed any reduction in performance, if that's what you're asking.

[Kryptonite]

Stupid Microsoft retiring XP in the Fall...

I read this quote and interpreted this as "no more XP this fall."


From XP's Wikipedia page:

Support for Windows XP without a service pack (RTM) ended on September 30, 2004[45] and support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and 1a ended on October 10, 2006.[46][47]

Mainstream support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 will end on April 14, 2009, four years after its general availability.[48] As per Microsoft's posted timetable, the company will stop general licensing of Windows XP to OEMs and terminate retail sales of the operating system on June 30, 2008, 17 months after the release of Windows Vista.[49][50] However, an exception was announced on April 3, 2008, for OEMs installing to subnotebooks or UMPCs either until June 30, 2010, or one year after the availability of the next client version of Windows, code-named Windows 7 — whichever date comes later.[51][52][53]

On April 14, 2009, Windows XP will begin its "Extended Support" period that will last for 5 years until April 8, 2014.[54]


I'd hardly call that "in the fall."

XP and XPSP1 ended a long time ago. XPSP2 will end in about one year, on 4/14/2009.

Sales of XP will end on June 30, 2008, outside of the exceptions above.


FWIW, here's information on XP SP3:

April 21, 2008: Released to Original Equipment Manufacturers and Enterprise customers.[42]
April 29, 2008: Manual Update (Microsoft Update, Windows Update, Download Center) [confirmed by Microsoft][43]
June 10, 2008: Automatic Update (Windows Update)[44]

[Motterman]

Sales of XP will end on June 30, 2008, outside of the exceptions above.

I'd hardly call that "in the fall."



Yep, should have said "mid-to-late Summer". :p

But seriously, I didn't mean to make you freakout that Microsoft would quit supporting XP later this year, just that if you want to buy a computer with XP on it, you only have until June 30 when you'll be forced to get Vista.