Mac questions

Hiho everyone!

Not sure if this goes in in MB or not but it's not a glitch thing so I thought I'd try it out here first.

I need some help - I just got a MacBook Pro, and I have a few questions about this whole Mac thing.

Do I need to install anti-virus software? And if I do, do you recommend one? I'm afraid to use it without any on there even tho it says I can.

Also, is there an easy way to wake it up after it falls asleep? It's almost as hard to wake up as I am in the morning!

I appreciate any advice!

Looney, I have a MBP and I use no anti virus stuff at all. Mac's are immune to viruses, spyware, etc. b/c the OS X (Leopard/Snow Leopard) operating system is based on Unix and ARAIK, hardly any bad people target this OS when they write malware to see how many systems they can ruin. Putting a MBP to sleep/waking it is simple - to put it to sleep (unlike a PC) simply lower the lid (LCD screen part to touch the keyboard); to wake it up, raise the lid and tap the space bar (unlike a PC).

There is no such thing as a safe Mac or PC. Contrary to what cruise says, Macs are ABSOLUTELY NOT immune to viruses, trojans and other malware. The bad guys are targeting Macs more and more often. Granted the risks are much less compared to a PC, but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. Assuming that just because you have a Mac you are immune to malware is a complete fallacy.

This is one of the most balanced articles I've read on the issue.

Macs - Antivirus Tools and Do We Need Them

Whether you're running a Mac or a PC, the USER is the first defense against malware. If you download every thing that sounds good, try to purchase rare $250 games for $.99 and click on questionable links in emails, you will get infected. Practice safe computing and you will drastically reduce your exposure to malware.

That looks like a very nice article Drac! Thanks.

I really would feel better if I had some kind of antivirus on it, I'm pretty careful as a rule but you just never know these days!

Off to research some more - it takes alot of work to keep up with the bad guys doens't it?

I know Macs not waking from sleep mode was a problem a couple of years ago, but I thought they had addressed the issue. My younger son is a Mac user and has the same problem with his 2 year-old iMac.

It's been awhile since I read the entire article, but I think they recommend some anti-virus options for Macs. I can't remember what my son uses, but he's the one who sent me the link to that article.

Let's just say that I haven't gotten any malware on my mac yet, so far. (crossing fingers).

Good for you! I remember all too well all the problems you had before.

Listen to Draclvr -

No system is immune to virus or spyware - that includes MAC and Linux!!! I have seen many a MAC freeze up or I have to rebuild because the OS corrupted due to virus and spyware.

Norton has an MAC antivirus also there are free ones that Linux and MAC computers use - i.e. CLAMAV which actually ships with most Linux installs.

The more MACs being used the greater target that the virus guys look for - it now becomes worth their time to write the bad stuff.

I thought her problems were from trying to use PC apps on her Mac. Did she have malware problems too?

Jenny100 Draclvr is away for the weekend but she might check in. This problem was from a little over two years ago and was not on the new Mac cruise02 purchased but on one of her previous machines. The tech forum went through a lot trying to help her clean it up, not sure if she still has that one or not. It is kind of hard to keep track, but yes the PC apps on her Mac did cause an issue and it had to be taken in to be fixed.

Thanks for letting me know, Hawk.

Hi, yes I'm up in NW Iowa this weekend. Cruise came to us a couple of years ago with a massively (and I don't use that word as an exageration) infected PC. She has learned a lot since then about safer internet practices.

Hi Drac,
Hope you're having a good trip.