Re: Mac Spyware?

John Slade wrote:

"nospamatall" <nospamatall@xxxxxx> wrote in message
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John Slade wrote:

"kordek" <simonzzz3@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:88313b2d-2b95-4a05-8573-6b723382822f@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm looking for a Spyware Protection / Removal program for my Mac OS
but the only one I find (MacScan) just downloads in binary and locks
up the computer.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I don't think its wise to run ANY computer without adequate
protection.

I recommend using a router and/or software based firewall. That's
the best protection because malware is not the only threat. Macs are
known to have numerous security holes that would allow for remote
control of your system. I don't know much about Mac virus protection
software but there is some out there. You should ask on a Mac forum
rather than in here because this newsgroup is full of people who will
call you a troll just for asking about Mac spyware.

If any Mac user tells you that there is no spyware on Macs, do not
listen to them. The most common form of spyware is the tracking cookie
and it exists on every system than can accept cookies. That means the
Mac too.

John

In the context of the OP, looking for spyware protection/removal
software, the replies are appropriate. You don't need spyware protection
software to manage/block cookies.

But spyware can be put on a machine using those security holes. It
happens all the time. So in the context of the OP, spyware protection is
needed even if the user isn't accepting cookies. Also in the context of
the thread, there are fools out there that think there is no reason to
protect OS X from any thing. Well that's taunting disaster. Even people
who use Linux and Unix guard against exploits and other malware and that
includes spyware. People should also guard against someone actually
physically putting malware on OS X box. It might be a small risk but it
is happening.

http://mackeyloggerprotection.com/

John


Agreed. Though I think a little time spent understanding the nature of
threats and security is better than installing stuff because it sounds
good. For example I use Little snitch and keep everything locked down in
other ways. This is mainly to avoid ads and other crap I don't want to
waste bandwidth on, but it would also help to keep out any nasties that
might turn up.

As for keylogger detectors, they can be a useful tool, but unless you
installed the keylogger yourself by accident (something that could be
avoided in the first place by understanding and vigilance) then your
machine itself has been compromised by someone with physical access, or
full access to your network, in which case you have much more than
keyloggers to worry about. And whoever intalled it can with the same
access, overcome your keylogger detector. It can be better to know you
don't know than to think you do.

No amount of tools can help you if you don't know what they are for and
what their limitations are. There is no easy fix for security,
understanding is crucial. There's a lot of FUD out there and the
'security' vendors are among the most prolific in that department. They
are not a good source of info unless you have checked out their info
thoroughly and understand what they are talking about, that way you can
tell quickly if they are talking ***.

Andy
.

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