Protect Your Mac from Viruses

If you’re used to working with Windows, you’re also used to worrying about viruses. Viruses are a different story on the Mac. Not only are there very few viruses for the Mac, but since Mac OS X is based on a Unix operating system, viruses can only affect files the current user has the right to change. You don’t have to worry about viruses or worms like I Love You, Melissa, or Klez. When the evening news talks about the latest virus spreading across the Internet, you can feel safe and secure. This said, the virus threat is real, and while you have a much smaller chance of catching a virus on your Mac, that chance still exists.

The most common kind of virus seen on the Mac is macro viruses that affect Microsoft Word or Excel. While you can protect yourself from these viruses by turning off macros in Word and Excel (see the programs’ online help for instructions on how to do this), you may need to use the macros contained in a file you receive, exposing yourself to risk. If you ever do receive a file with macros, check with your correspondent to make sure they added these macros. They might not even be aware that they are infected.

There are several antivirus programs available for Mac OS X. McAfee’s Virex is one of the most common; it is included with a .Mac subscription (see Chapter 11). Other antivirus programs are Intego VirusBarrier X3 (www.intego.com) and Norton Antivirus (www.symantec.com), both of which can catch and kill all known viruses on the Mac, including those insidious macro viruses.