I can't tell you how often I get this question. Matter of fact I just told someone last week that they didn't need to get any antivirus software for their new MacBook.

adamengst sends in an article from TidBITS in which Macintosh security expert Rich Mogull explains why he doesn't use antivirus software on the Mac, and why most Mac users shouldn't bother with it either. The article also touches on the question of when an increasing Mac market share might tip it over an inflection point into more active attention from malware writers. (Last month Apple had 14% of PC sales, but 25% of dollar value.)

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?

Most computer users are at greater risk of adware/spyware infections than viral infections anyway (many viral infections are trojans downloaders which are a huge problem). No matter what operating system you use or what browser you use the best defensive action you can take is to pay attention to what is actually going on. Many adware/spyware installers will trick you into installing them and then you'll be trying to get rid of them (sometimes successfully) for days.

 

At this point Mac users don't have to worry much about these adware installer but as the Mac OS increases marketshare and user base it will impossible for the bad guys to ignore.