01/17, 6:09am
Security program manager challenges test results
Security Essentials, the anti-virus and anti-malware software supplied by Microsoft has failed in anti-virus certification tests. Out of 25 consumer antivirus programs tested by independent laboratory AV-Test in late 2012, only three failed to pass muster, with Microsoft Security Essentials 4.1 being joined by PC Tools Internet Security 2012 and AhnLab Internet Security 8.0.
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03/28, 6:00pm
Helps stop accidental passing of PC viruses
Windows anti-virus software maker Avira has released a free version of the software for Macs, called Avira Free Mac Security. It is available for consumers and businesses alike who may wish to guard against malware downloads and the accidental acquisition and passing on of Windows viruses. While Mac OS X is not affected by viruses and malware aimed at Windows, Mac users can inadvertently e-mail or otherwise share infected files.
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12/10, 4:40pm
First Look: iAntiVirus
Many Mac anti-virus programs waste their time scanning for Windows contaminants. While this may be fine if you need to share files with Windows users, you may not want a program that gobbles up excess memory and processing time just to protect against malware that can never even hurt your own hardware. If you’d rather have an anti-virus app that focuses solely on keeping Macs virus-free, one option is PC Tool’s iAntiVirus.
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12/08, 11:15am
First Look: VirusBarrier
The majority of worms, viruses and Trojan horses attack and infect Windows systems. While the Mac is theoretically more secure due to its Unix underpinnings, the growing popularity of Macs may only make them more enticing as a target. There are already a handful of Trojan horses for the Mac, and the threat will likely continue to grow. Anti-virus software may remain optional for Mac users, but if you want to play it safe, you can protect your Mac with something like Intego’s VirusBarrier.
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12/03, 2:25am
Anti-virus page removed
Apple has removed a support document that "encouraged" users to install anti-virus software on their Macs, saying that it was old and an inaccurate. After new reports revealed that the document had been around for at least two years, the company removed the document saying it the Mac already has technologies to protect users from viruses: "We have removed the KnowledgeBase article because it was old and inaccurate," Apple spokesman Bill Evans, told Macworld. "The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box.” The representative, however, did say that running anti-virus software may offer additional protection.
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11/26, 1:20pm
VirusBarrier X5 10.5.5 out
Intego says it has posted a v10.5.5 update for VirusBarrier X5, its signature anti-virus software. The app is claimed to be the only one capable scanning iPhone and iPod touch volumes, as well as those on Macs. The v10.5.5 patch improves the performance of manual as well as automatic real-time scans; in the latter case, special attention has been paid to Samba sharing volumes.
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11/18, 11:20am
RSPlug.D Trojan hits Macs
A new version of an existing Trojan poses a significant threat to Mac users, claims the Intego security firm. Based on RS.Plug.A, the RSPlug.D Trojan is said to find its way onto computers through malicious websites, namely several less scrupulous porn sites. On visiting a particular page a person will be greeted with a "Video ActiveX Object Error," stating that their browser cannot play a particular video; it then asks people to download the ActiveX object in question.
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10/17, 1:15pm
Fake Mac security tool
Mac users should be on guard against a fake Mac security tool being distributed online, says the Intego security firm. The program, called MacGuard, claims to scan a computer for "adware, spyware and trojans," and then eliminate them; in reality the app is actually a version of existing Windows malware, which has already infected as many as 30 million people worldwide. The latter assumes control of a person's computer, and displays messages warning about a false infection in an attempt to get users to pay money.
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07/22, 12:05am
PC Tools iAntiVirus
Anyone who has used a Windows PC knows that you absolutely must have an anti-virus program or else your computer will likely crash the moment you connect to the Internet. Fortunately, the Mac has remained largely untouched by the variety of malware (viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, and spyware) that plagues PCs. However, with the growing popularity of the Mac, it’s inevitable that more people will start writing malware for the Mac. Although you don’t need an anti-virus program for the Mac just yet, you might feel safer knowing that a free one exists called PC Tools iAntiVirus.
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03/04, 1:15pm
Potential Mac epidemic
Several internet security companies have preliminary Mac OS X anti-virus applications, awaiting a potential large-scale attack before deploying the countermeasures. According to Yahoo News, Kaspersky Lab keeps a prototype of a Mac-based anti-viral program that could be distributed in a matter of days, should an outbreak occur. Kaspersky has even tested a version designed specifically for the iPhone.
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12/10, 12:30pm
Norton Antivirus 11 ships
Symantec today released a new version of Norton Antivirus (site not updated) that is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The software features new vulnerability protection technology designed to prevent attacks occurring through applications connected to the internet. Norton AntiVirus 11 for Mac also includes a sleeker redesigned user interface alongside enhanced performance. The software is priced at $50 (system requirements were unavailable).
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12/04, 9:05am
Parallels Desktop Premium
Parallels has released a new Premium Edition of Parallels Desktop 3.0, its popular virtualization software. Introduced with the program is the latest Leopard-compatible build of Desktop, which is now also a free, automatic update for owners of the regular package. The Premium Edition bundles three applications for users' Windows virtual machines: Acronis Disk Director Suite lets users move, merge and recover partitions, while Acronis True Image Home lets users backup all Windows data, including the OS and settings.
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