As a former software developer, Mac geek, Linux geek and so on, I'd urge that you do install something like Sophos (only suggesting as I use it and know it). This was the first piece of malware I had discovered in over 10 years of using macs- and I would have been ignorant too it had I not installed a form of anti-virus. Sophos quarantined it and removed it and I was good to go. Fast forward to August this year, Eilat completing a Regular scan, Sophos detected Genio- a particularly annoying piece of malware I wasn't comfortable having on my system.
I had a trial from a Macworld disk containing Sophos and installed it on a whim knowing that Mac malware was increasing (bearing in mind Id used macs for about 7 years at this point and had never encounter any malware. I have been using macs since the days of 10.4, and in 2011 got a new MacBook Pro.
I'd recommend you download and use Sophos as its free, and although prevention isn't great, the quarantine and removal after a scan does the job nicely. I'm going against the trend here and saying yes, I'd recommend that you do need antivirus. although they probably do get some degree of casual surfing). (but they're also mainly used for "business-use". We have approximately 15 Macs in a corporate environment and I've never seen any of them infected in 5years. and lower the security settings to "Allow Apps from anywhere". and the Security options in System Preferences are set to "Only allow Apps from the App Store".Īssuming you keep those things TRUE. then your risk is going to be higher.īy default OSX DOES NOT come with Java or Flash (2 of the biggest targets on the Internet). If you're the type of person constantly surfing risky websites and downloading cracked-software from torrents and other "dirty" sources. the level of risk you're exposed to is going to depend a lot on your own behavior. If you are seriously concerned about privacy on the Internet then use NetShade proxy service for anonymous browsing with proxy chains and VPN capability If you are concerned about DNS spying, spoofing or man-in-the-middle attack use DNSCrypt Use FileVault2 to encrypt your data on your computer Use WPA2 encryption for Wi-Fi rather than WEP If you are concerned about privacy on the Internet use tracker blockers (AdBlock, Ghostery, Safari's Do Not Track option, Do Not Track Safari extension)ĭeactivate the Safari setting "Open safes files after downloading"Īctivate "warn me when visiting fraudulent websites" in Safari (Web of Trust provides a third party option as a Safari extension)ĭisable or remove Adobe Acrobat Reader (if installed)ĭisable Adobe Flash or use a Flash block plugin (Click to Flash) (if installed)Ĭhange the default SSID in your Wi-Fi settings IceFloor is arguably the best firewall for any operating system with "basic" and "advanced" "versions" via a software switch. If you lose your Mac you can find your Mac by using iCloud.Īctivate the Firewall (You may use a third party application to configure such as IceFloor or Little Snitch). If you use your Mac in a public location (your worksite) ensure you lock your computer when stepping away from your computerĮnable "Find My Mac" on your Mac.
Use long (minimum of 8 characters), complex (combinations of caps, numbers and special characters), unique passwords for each application or website (1Password for password management)ĭo not use an Administrator account as your default account
Heuristic detection may identify new viruses or variants of existing viruses by behavioral profiling or looking for known malicious code, or executing the code in protected memory to discover executed processes since malware typically demonstrates specific behaviors which are atypical. Criminal elements are very aware of existing heuristic algorithms and design the latest exploits to avoid detection.Īll modern operating system offer such protection either by default or as an optional download. The best option, though, is to harden your system against malicious software.Įnsure you have your system set to automatically perform Software Updates However, signatures are not available for zero-day exploits. Signature-based detection involves searching for known patterns of data within executable code. Primarily two methods are employed to detect malware Signature-based detection and heuristic detection. The truth is that Anti-Virus programs mostly don't help because the sensitvity is very low.