Ask HN: Do you use antivirus software on your Mac, which one?

2 pointscsmeder3 comments

I recently switched from using only linux to also owning a Mac. When I visit torrent sites or security/hacker sites I often wonder should I have an antivirus installed?

I don't download random DMG files, and I use Chrome to browse so I figure I'm pretty safe, but this is just a guess. I would like to hear your thoughts.

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Most anti-virus software is the worst of both worlds: 1) it fails to block virus, trojans and rootkits, 2) it messes up your operating system (infecting file system hooks). Firewall software can be useful- but less so anti-virus (though you do need to turn off some auto-run/auto-open facilities even on a Mac).

If you don't pirate software then there is zero reason to run anti-virus software on your Mac.

"visit torrent sites or security/hacker sites" + "I don't download random DMG files" don't go well together though.

I rarely visit either, and I don't download DMG from them. The only DMG files I install are from tusted sites: Apple, Adobe, Sourceforge, etc..

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