Mac anti-virus/malware/spyware etc.

**ladym123** · 03-21-2011, 10:39

Ok so I have never bothered with any of this stuff for my Mac but as time goes by it could become an issue right? Should I consider this? I have Open Dns, does that protect you enough? Also my mum (bless her) has just got broadband and her first laptop (macbook) at the age of 64 lol. So I really want to make sure she is protected online too.

Does anyone know if I really need to consider this and if there are any good free/safe programs I could download?

**Ironhide400** · 03-21-2011, 11:27

Actually, I get asked this often. Yes, there are ALOT more viruses for windows than mac, but they are still out there. For security reasons, I always turn on the Mac firewall unless the mac is on a firewalled network. For antivirus, spyware, etc., there are a couple decent free ones out there. Here is a link to one of the more popular:

http://www.clamxav.com/

Sophos also makes a pretty decent one to, but I don't think it's free.

The one setback to antivirus on mac is that it does tend to slow the computer down slightly, more so than on windows. You won't notice it on newer macs, but older ones it can be a nuisance.

**squidfamily1** · 03-21-2011, 14:11

What's the hardest thing about buying a Mac?
Telling your dad you're gay

**MARDIGRA21** · 03-21-2011, 14:16

Originally Posted by squidfamily1

What's the hardest thing about buying a Mac?
Telling your dad you're gay

Lol that was hilarious

**ladym123** · 03-21-2011, 14:27

Thank you for the mature, helpful reply iron

Geez

**XxSilentxFartxX** · 03-21-2011, 20:51

I like Mardigras response the best lol..I hate Apple with a passion...Seriously though Iron did give you some standup advice. Macs are notoriusly secure.

**Ironhide400** · 03-21-2011, 21:10

Originally Posted by squidfamily1

What's the hardest thing about buying a Mac?
Telling your dad you're gay

Sorry Squid, but apparently my mac buying experience was MUCH different than yours!

I didn't have to tell him, he figured it out when he seen this, and me wearing my ass-less chaps!

_bz_so9_bmk___kgrhgookj4ejllmy_tibkot_lwdkw___12_thumb200.jpg

I do have to give you credit though, I freaking died laughing when I seen your response.

**CrzyChinook** · 03-22-2011, 08:55

Originally Posted by XxSILENTxFARTxX

I like Mardigras response the best lol..I hate Apple with a passion...Seriously though Iron did give you some standup advice. Macs are notoriusly secure.

i second that!! hate apple with a passion...and ive owned my fair share of almost every product the have and got rid of it!!

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 09:32

Usability is far easier for non-techy types ..e.g. my 9 year old and my mum

More plug and play than a pc

**Ironhide400** · 03-22-2011, 09:56

I do like my macs, as I can run full windows (not VM) or mac os X. That comes in very handy. As far as the iphones, ipods, ipads, WAY overrated. I mean come on the price of an ipad and it doesn't even have a full os on it, come one, WTF! Mac lover yes, Apple lover NO. Way overpriced they are.

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 10:15

Originally Posted by Ironhide400

I do like my macs, as I can run full windows (not VM) or mac os X. That comes in very handy. As far as the iphones, ipods, ipads, WAY overrated. I mean come on the price of an ipad and it doesn't even have a full os on it, come one, WTF! Mac lover yes, Apple lover NO. Way overpriced they are.

Keeping everyone happy iron? Sap! Lol

**Ironhide400** · 03-22-2011, 10:42

Originally Posted by ladym123

Keeping everyone happy iron? Sap! Lol

Jealous that you can't do it....BAM!

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 12:24

Originally Posted by Ironhide400

Jealous that you can't do it....BAM!

Can't say I feel the need to agree with everyone ...I like to mix it up a bit

Now tell me about your childhood....?

**Ironhide400** · 03-22-2011, 13:11

Originally Posted by ladym123

Can't say I feel the need to agree with everyone ...I like to mix it up a bit

Now tell me about your childhood....?

Agree with everyone? That's not what I was doing. I was simply stating the Apple is good and bad, no reason to be hating....GEESH!

**Crusty** · 03-22-2011, 13:46

See I'm kind of the opposite of Iron on this. I think the Mac is overpriced compared to what you can get (generally for less money) on a PC. Granted I'm not super techy, but you know.

I do love my iPhone though. But I think a big part of why I will always prefer it over other smart phones is simply based on iTunes, which I use for my multitudes of music.

**Ironhide400** · 03-22-2011, 14:03

Originally Posted by Crucifictorious2

See I'm kind of the opposite of Iron on this. I think the Mac is overpriced compared to what you can get (generally for less money) on a PC. Granted I'm not super techy, but you know.

I do love my iPhone though. But I think a big part of why I will always prefer it over other smart phones is simply based on iTunes, which I use for my multitudes of music.

I thought that mac's were overpriced at first, but longevity is unbelievable. I have seen 5+ year old macbooks that have been through hell, and work just as good as the day they were purchased. Also the OS pricing is cheap compared to windows. They make solid products that last.

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 14:26

Aw gee Iron I was only playing

Anyway, I have only ever bought second hand Macbooks as I could never afford a new one

It doesn't suit all my needs but I have a pc too...which is out of action due to some shitware the fam downloaded

I actually hate itunes thats the worst bit! I hate the way it syncs

I like the pc where you can just open your file and drag in whatever you want... no hassle. When I use itunes I have to tick this and that and untick this and that as my daughter has an ipod and her choice of stuff... then I have my iphone and my choice of stuff. I've lost loads of music in the process of sync'g back and forth our music files. Unless anyone knows an easier way?

**Crusty** · 03-22-2011, 15:08

Originally Posted by ladym123

Aw gee Iron I was only playing

Anyway, I have only ever bought second hand Macbooks as I could never afford a new one

It doesn't suit all my needs but I have a pc too...which is out of action due to some shitware the fam downloaded

I actually hate itunes thats the worst bit! I hate the way it syncs

I like the pc where you can just open your file and drag in whatever you want... no hassle. When I use itunes I have to tick this and that and untick this and that as my daughter has an ipod and her choice of stuff... then I have my iphone and my choice of stuff. I've lost loads of music in the process of sync'g back and forth our music files. Unless anyone knows an easier way?

Well I don't really have that problem. But I don't sync from the same computer as anyone else in the house. And when I sync to my iPhone I only put my playlists and my son's videos on there. Then I sync everything to my iPod (cos I have a 160 GB iPod). But I like using iTunes. I think it is very intuitive and easy to use, while also offering a lot of advanced settings for people who want to use them. And trust me, I have 13511 items in my iTunes music library alone; so I use it A LOT.

But I also like iTunes a lot for its podcasts and iTunesU, where you can get some really great free stuff ... speaking of which, I need to go subscribe to Backstory. Bye.

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 15:26

Originally Posted by Crucifictorious2

Well I don't really have that problem. But I don't sync from the same computer as anyone else in the house. And when I sync to my iPhone I only put my playlists and my son's videos on there. Then I sync everything to my iPod (cos I have a 160 GB iPod). But I like using iTunes. I think it is very intuitive and easy to use, while also offering a lot of advanced settings for people who want to use them. And trust me, I have 13511 items in my iTunes music library alone; so I use it A LOT.

But I also like iTunes a lot for its podcasts and iTunesU, where you can get some really great free stuff ... speaking of which, I need to go subscribe to Backstory. Bye.

Yeah it would be fine if it was just me sync'ing it's just a nuisance sharing. I don't really want an iphone full of Hannah Montana and the other Disney dollies... and I can't really allow her to have RATM or Eminem ...for instance

**Crusty** · 03-22-2011, 15:27

Originally Posted by ladym123

Yeah it would be fine if it was just me sync'ing it's just a nuisance sharing. I don't really want an iphone full of Hannah Montana and the other Disney dollies... and I can't really allow her to have RATM or Eminem ...for instance

I'm not very good at sharing. *shrug*

**ladym123** · 03-22-2011, 15:28

Originally Posted by Crucifictorious2

I'm not very good at sharing. *shrug*

No nor me...it's her macbook lol!

**MaximusR3** · 03-26-2011, 19:24

always set your ipod to manually manage music and you won't have to worry about it auto-syncing and deleting your music. it becomes click and drag style adding just like you said you preferred. my complaint with iTunes is, and i think apple does this intentionally out of spite, it runs terribly slow on a pc compared to on a mac. sometimes it will take 2 or 3 minutes just to open after i click the icon or connect an ipod to the computer.

**ladym123** · 03-26-2011, 19:28

Originally Posted by MaximusR3

always set your ipod to manually manage music and you won't have to worry about it auto-syncing and deleting your music. it becomes click and drag style adding just like you said you preferred. my complaint with iTunes is, and i think apple does this intentionally out of spite, it runs terribly slow on a pc compared to on a mac. sometimes it will take 2 or 3 minutes just to open after i click the icon or connect an ipod to the computer.

I'll look into that...I didn't realise you could do that