Do Mac users now need Anti-Virus?

PCAuthority writes:

The new iAntivirus is being pitched at Mac users previously thought to be safe from the threat of viruses and Web nasties. The program's creator PC Tools says the idea Macs are safe is a myth.

[TrevorPhillips]

of course they do i mean mac wont be protective for long

[Fishy Fingers]

Better safe than sorry.

[hfaze]

Agreed. As Macs become more common, more viruses and trojan horses will come out for it.

The main reason for Macs being "safer" than Windows PC's was obscurity. Virus and trojan horse authors are going to go after the biggest target, which is currently Windows. But with Macs making a comeback, they won't stay obscure for long.

[Fototherapist]

that the market share for Macs has increased to about 8%, so yes, better safe than sorry. The market share for Windows based PC's is actually shrinking (albeit by a relatively small margin), so you know that means that some hacker is going to get a bee in his bonnet and write some malicious code.

[meepmoopmeep]

there are anti-virus programs already available on the Mac.
the threat just isn't as bad as on PC. but it's there and will grow as Mac popularity grows.

[TrevorPhillips]

yea i know man

[Scarfy]

... more than Linux users, but a lot less than Windows users.

Basically, Mac users probably don't need anti-virus software unless they leave lots of executable files lying around in their home directory and make a regular habit of running unknown scripts and programs with root privileges...

[Fishy Fingers]

Totally agree, but to find yourself in that situation what be sloppy practice and frankly, asking for trouble.

[Ps3Fanboy777]

Truthfully it just wasnt on the map; as soon as they kept bragging hackers or whatever you wanna call them quickly changed that. I imagine it will continue as well until its pretty much destroyed like XP was. Luckily any XP owner has learned how to deal with virus's. MAC users have very little to turn to because frankly there just wasnt many virus's out before know, not because it was real secure just because no one cared to code a virus for it.

[kevnb]

active x anyone?

[kevnb]

as a matter of fact, windows users don't need one either. The best thing to do is monitor you're behavior on the web, viruses don't appear from thin air after all. Moreover, no matter what virus scan you have running, you could always get a virus. Run a good hardware firewall and watch what you are doing, and you should almost never get a virus.

[TornRaptor]

True, but some people just can't help but surf porn.

[kevnb]

how true, but even that can be done safely. bitsoup will hook you up virus free.

[mc]

the fact they didnt prior to this i find quite astonishing

[braydon619]

I'm glad i use linux and it's not as popular.... i enjoy everything about linux. after using it i wish i never grew up on windows. hopefully mac users don't ever have to worry as much as windows.