Anti-virus for Mac

[DisasterRelief]

Whats the current opinions on a good anti-virus for macOS?

I have seen some good reviews about Bitdefender. Any thoughts?

 

[GreGorGy]

I use avira but not on all my machines - just my laptop where exposure to nefarious elements can happen on public networks.

 

[DisasterRelief]

I use avira but not on all my machines - just my laptop where exposure to nefarious elements can happen on public networks.

Any noticeable impact on the laptop's performance?

 

[neoprema]

I find BitDefender, although not my first choice in Brand - to be very lower on resources. It doesn't impact my CPU nor RAM as much as others.

 

[phly]

Is there a need for an antivirus on Mac for the general user though. I hoped onto Mac thinking i don't need one and have gone months without one. On windows it was a necessity but heard from the grapevine that on Mac this isn't so. How true is this?

 

[DisasterRelief]

Is there a need for an antivirus on Mac for the general user though. I hoped onto Mac thinking i don't need one and have gone months without one. On windows it was a necessity but heard from the grapevine that on Mac this isn't so. How true is this?

Although it may be true that there are less viruses on Macs (allegedly), the threat remains.

 

[GreGorGy]

Any noticeable impact on the laptop's performance?

Minor, but noticeable. But bear in mind core 2 duo, 4gb ram so on a newer, better spec model, maybe zero impact.

 

[GreGorGy]

Is there a need for an antivirus on Mac for the general user though. I hoped onto Mac thinking i don't need one and have gone months without one. On windows it was a necessity but heard from the grapevine that on Mac this isn't so. How true is this?

Somewhat but not completely. I have been running it on my laptop only in recent times because some of the work I have been doing in the last year has required data from all sorts of sources and my USB port has seen more action than Charlie Sheen at the height of his health. Most of that work is now out of the way or being handled in another manner so I will likely be reinstalling a more streamlined system soon, at which point I will not include the AV.

 

[SeaSickMama]

Eset nod 32 Afrihost has it for R19 per a month

 

[NiTeD]

I use Sophos, so far so good.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Definitely wouldn't pay for any of this.

Generally these are my options for Antivirus.

1. Don't be a retard.

2. If you absolutely must install one, Sophos Home Edition (Free).

 

[bigboy529]

I use Sophos, so far so good.

From reviews I read Sophos seam to be very good, I never got to installing it on my iMac yet, but guess when I get my Macbook I will have to install something on it. Is Sophos CPU hungry, does it just sit in the backround and do its thing, or are you reminded about it being there all the time?

 

[mastermamo]

The number of viruses for OS X are a handful. Its more the Malware thats becoming an issue of late.
Step 1: Use Adblock (its free)
Step 2: Get MacBooster (its not free). This has a really decent malware checker built in, together with tools to keep your OS nice and tidy
Step 3: If u insist on browsing sites that aren't savoury, once done run Macbooster and clear all cookies etc.
Step 4: DO NOT install any software u arent sure of. If u do and need to get rid of these, simply putting it in the trash can is doing nothing.
Step 5: Get Appdelete (not free). This will remove all preferences and traces of unwanted software properly

Been a Mac power user for years and all my Mac Pros and MacBooks Pros have been safe without any sort of Anti Virus software. No issues whatsoever