Is it true that Macs don't get viruses???

Question

I will be purchasing a lap top some time soon, and I heard that Macs don't viruses. I thought that would be a good plus. Thanks for your response.

Answer 1

It's largely true, mainly due to the Mac having such a small market share that few viruses are written specifically to attack it. If you use word or excel on mac, though, many viruses that attack those applications are cross platform, so I'd advise you to run an antivirus program, or a security suite written for Mac. The best one I've tried is from Intego.

http://www.intego.com/isb/

Answer 2

No One Would Bother Making A Virus For A Mac Since 10% of The World Has A Mac.
All My Friends Say Macs Are Crap.
Just Stickm With Windows And Install AV Programs.

Answer 3

Yes, that is true to a large degree, although mainly for technical reasons. There actually are only a handful of viruses in the wild that could infect a Mac. Mac OSX's underlying technology is UNIX, (very akin to the design of Linux) which is designed from the ground up as a secure multi-user operating system. Viruses have a very hard time surviving in a UNIX or Linux environment, due to very specific separations of user and administrator permissions. The above mentioned statement from someone that there are few viruses on the Mac because it isn't as common as Windows is only partially right. The other reasons are in the underlying design. If you are curious about Mac's seemly virus resistance, check out this page:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/06/linux_vs_windows_viruses/

Answer 4

No it is not true there are just fewer just the same as more popular cars are stolen than limited production cars. Most PCs run Windows so most virus writers aim there viruses the same place. There is and always will be viruses for most any operating system. There are quite a few unix viruses out there.

You can get AV software for free so why risk it?

Most MAC viruses seem to use other software than the OS the Word Macro viruses seem to work OK

See this article for a well thought out argument and decide for yourself. If you have no MS products and stick to Safari keep your MAC updateded you will probably be OK

Answer 5

No all computers are suceptible to malicious attacks. The rule of thumb is that if man has done it then man can undo it. What happens is that Macs at least the new ones OSX are based on unix system. BDS if I believe correctly. Unix is a more stable more secure platform because it was build with this in mind. It hasmany security systems in place to prevent this kind of thing. NEver the less they have security flaws. Windows on the other hand was not build with security in mind. Windows was built to make average people be able to use a computer where as unix is usually used by engineers. This is of use by windows also creates many problems. Another issue is the spread of windows. WIndows system make about 90% or more of all computer systems. MAcs make up about 5% and linux and others take another 5% or so. Give or take right. So, it is more likely and more profitable to attack a windows system because you will affect more people with it. Also, windows coverage is so wide that it has to support many different manufacturers. Macs for example usually only have one or two vendors for a particualr software. Windows have many versions of the same software some you pay for and some are free. Also, windows have to support many types of hardware where as macs do not vary as much. People can build their own windows base pc where not many if any build a mac. You just buy ti already made. Short story is fewer variants and more control over software and hardware for macs.

I have not used a mac so I cannot talk about how good they are. What I don'tike about them is how it locks you in into one propietary system. It really gives you fewer options. This may or may not affect you. FOr example there might be a photo editing software that you like on the mac and that is all you need so no problems there. But if you like a different one and is not offered on the mac then you are SOL. This is an important issue when going to college or using your MAc for work. You have to make sure the software that you are going to need is available for the mac or linux. At least linux is free.

Answer 6

Well, not 100%. The point is that since there are so few Macs compared to PC's, almost no one takes the time to write Mac virus or has the expertise to, so they're virtually virus free. In my 20+ years as a Mac users, I've seen about TWO that were of any significance-- and oddly enough, they were both BEFORE the the internet was big. I use no protection now and never have trouble.


*****EDIT***********
Steve B is incorrect in saying PCs are more for "work". In my profession, which does involve graphics, everyone uses Macs. Believe me-- we work hard.


******EDIT**********

Linux-Op also doesn't know what he's talking about. Macs are the Rolls Royce of computers. Anyone who would say what he said obviously doesn't know anything about them since most everyone who knows both agree the Mac is the best.

Answer 7

No, Mac viruses do exist. One problem is that if you get the virus it tends to be hard to remove.
The majority of virus writers target Microsoft Windows Operating Systems such as XP and Vista. Thats why people consider Macs as "safe".

Answer 8

i could ought to disagree with maximum factors of each answer so far. on an identical time because it fairly is real that domicile windows isn't the main look after platform by using default, there is not any "look after" platform. As a white hat hacker, i replace into experienced in viruses and exploits. it fairly is achievable to look after a device to a factor the place purely the main progressed hacker could desire to crack the protection, yet it fairly is after changing permissions, changing port interest, and ensuring documents encryption. as far as Mac particular viruses, there are literally tens of millions of them. some viruses are greater benign than others, yet a virulent disease is a virulent disease. A Mac with default settings has been not tougher to crack than a domicile windows device nor Linux (which continues to be a standard hack if the owner isn't attentive to protection.) previous those OS-particular viruses, there are multi-platform viruses floating around our online international. a number of which may be only particular to domicile windows/Mac, or Mac/Linux, or domicile windows Xp/crimson Hat Linux/sunlight Solaris, etc. Hackers do no longer waste their time destroying structures that advise no longer something (except an novice,) they're going to concentration on the greater time-honored structures used for storing mandatory documents, or the main utilized utility interior the marketplace to reason the main harm. interior the tip, the only quite secure computing device is one that doesn't function. (nonetheless some could dispute it fairly is secure if it has no community connectivity.) Mac or in any different case, be taught the protection valuable factors of your device and enforce them. make certain up thus far protection utility is put in and working miraculous. And in case you quite care approximately protection, ascertain you have a firewalled router keeping your device with set enable and deny permissions.

Answer 9

Hi, no don't get a Mac, it sucks! There are many new viruses for Mac's. Get a Windows Vista pc if u r into gaming as well. Vista has some security features of Linux/Unix. If u don't play games I recommend u get Linux, u will never have to worry about security with Linux.
Try OpenSuse:
http://en.opensuse.org
Good Luck!

Answer 10

Macs get viruses too all you need is just buy an antivirus for your Mac lap top.