The Mac Lawyer Using Macs in Law Firms | Attorney Ben Stevens

Do Macs Need Antivirus Software?

By J. Benjamin Stevens on Posted in Security

Secure_mac
As noted here, one of the topics discussed during my presentations at the ABA TechShow was whether or not Macs need to run antivirus software.  I created somewhat of a stir when I adamantly defended my belief that Macs are so secure that antivirus software is not necessary.  Apple touts the Mac’s security as one of it’s main features, as shown here.

Security expert Rich Mogull seems to agree with me in his article, "Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?" published at TidBITS.  He writes that the average Mac user does not need desktop antivirus software. He does recommend additional protection for those users who engage in risky online behavior, such as visiting questionable websites, installing strange software, failing to filter for spam, etc.

I’m interested in your opinions on this subject.  Do you use anti-virus software on your Mac?  Why or why not?  Please submit your comments on this subject, and I look forward to seeing what my readers think.

  • http://bizop.ca michael webster

    As long as you are not running in administrative or root mode, it is pretty hard to accidentally download a nasty program using Tiger or Leopard.
    Of course, you could be a dummy and do it deliberately by “accident”.

  • http://www.pelleylawgroup.com Aaron A. Pelley

    Although I agree with you, I am always amazed at what hackers can do. Apparently, the Mac fell first in the Zero day challenge.
    http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/pwn-2-own-over-macbook-air-gets-seized-in-2-minutes-flat/
    However, I have a theory that there is a lot more press and glory for hacking a Mac in these challenges.

  • http://texascriminaldefenselawyer.blogspot.com/ Stephen Gustitis

    I don’t use anti-virus software. I consider myself an average user. I shop on the internet, visit blogs, news stuff, and research. I don’t open attachments that come in email unless I know exactly what it is and who sent it. I’ve always wanted to know what was a “questionable” website. If you could provide information about that, the average Mac user would much appreciate the help.
    sg

  • Jared Harrison

    I don’t use it, and like you said, as long as you watch what you are doing and don’t engage in risky behavior, then you should be fine.
    Also, along with Aaron’s theory, I would guess that the fact that the person that took the computer down first got to take it home had some effect on the Mac going down first since it was a Macbook Air. The other two were just normal old computers. Again though, just a theory.

  • http://southcarolinalaw.net Stanley Feldman

    I use relatively inexpensive Intego,because of the following logic:
    In the movie Casino, they were discussing whether they had to “whack” someone whom they admitted and acknowledged they could trust. They ended up whacking him anyway because, “Why take a chance?”
    I am also running the Intego BitDefender for the Windows side of my Fusionware Windows.
    Is this the right setup? I don’t have a clue, but it is my setup.

  • http://www.macsupport.com Paul Meyerson

    Been following your blog stealthily for some time–excellent job overall.
    I think that Mac users at home generally don’t need anti-virus protection, but I recommend it to my corporate clients with decent size LANs. At many of these clients, I’ve had outbreaks of Word viruses. There are several variants and they did not disappear with the demise of OS 9. They spread like wildfire via a server of via email and only virus protection can clean the machines and keep them clean.
    Get one of these nasty little macro viruses and send an email to a friend (or worse, client) with a PC and watch their virus software nail you as a threat.
    I have no stake in them, but I highly recommend Sophos for the Macs in corporate environments. Too expensive for a home user, but their system is very unobtrusive and yet very efficient at catching and stopping viruses.

  • Joey Heape

    Ben, I have AV on my Mac laptop. I have run scans maybe three times over the past two years only to find nothing. We don’t use any AV on the Macs on the network at SC Bar. We scan all inbound and outbound e-mail from the Exchange server using Scanmail by Trend Micro as well as statefully inspecting packets at the firewall.
    Joey Heape
    SC Bar

  • http://www.lawyers.com/ware Ware

    I do not use anti-viral software nor do I believe it is necessary. On the other hand try running a PC without updating regularly and see how long you last.

  • ChristopherM

    I run Norton Anti-Virus on my MacBook because my law school’s IT department provides it free and because it doesn’t impede my system in any way. Maybe years of PC use made me a Nervous Nell, but I figure why chance it?
    I’m curious if folks are utilizing the firewall protection built into OS X, and significantly improved in Leopard?

  • http://www.viperfusion.com Cliff

    I’m not running any firewall or antivirus. I’m online 20 hours a day. Have been doing so since 2004. iMac G5 up to core 2 duo.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/musicrowlawyer/ Steve Weaver

    Hi Ben. I own 4 Macs — which are all used daily — ibook G3, ibook G4, MacBook Pro and iMac. My MacBook Pro is used a minimum of 12-14 hours a day. None have AV software installed. I have been using Macs for 5 years or so — now exclusively. None have ever been infected with a virus.
    Steve

  • Eric

    I’ve been using Macs for over 13 years (currently finishing my 2L year now), and I’ve never used anti-virus, and I’ve never seen or had a Mac infected with a virus.
    However, I wouldn’t blame a corporate environment for doing it, if only just to “make sure” that everything is fine.

  • Richard Mellor

    I have a number of names an addresses in Excel and just today the wrong names are with the wrong addresses and even the location of the individual is wrong.
    What would cause this if I don’t get viruses?
    Thanks for any help you can be.

  • Mike Southern

    I recently took delivery of a 20″ iMac, lovely machine, elegant and stylish. I’m no computer expert so rely on my ‘computer gurue’ to do the technical side. He installed Boot Camp to enable the use of Windows XP this to allow some of my PC software to be available. He felt iMac didn’t need anti-virus, HOWEVER I had a very vulgar notice on-screen when I endeavoured to access a well known website telling me I’d been hacked, very concerning so from now on I’m going to ensure my iMac has shielding, seems like there’s always devious folk out there with criminal intent, Imac it seems isn’t invulnerable afterall, Mike Southern

  • jennifer carpio

    Macs are great!!I bought a 20″ imac,and so far no viruses. Macs are not like PC`s,you need antivirus every year.