Can a MAC get a Virus - the answer is simple, YES !
Many people are thrown by the false advertising of companies selling Mac products. Its not just the companies anymore, MAC users are also sold thinking that MAC's cant get viruses. Simply because many MAC users. Simply have not yet received their first virus.(most of those users are just safe, smart internet surfers) But there are a lot, a lot, or MAC users that have. People are being told Macs are virus free, and you cant get a virus. As a result a lot of people are finding it hard to get a straight answer. ASG would like to lend a hand in answering this question.
#1) Whats the fastest way to get a virus on your MAC. The answer is simple. Just go out and download some illegal pirated software. Programs Like Bittorrent or U-Torrent are 2 very popular programs that people use to download illegal pirated software. And viruses are hidden in that software and as a result you end up with a virus on your MAC.
#2) Here are the facts:
Fact 1 - There are lots of companies that make Antivirus software for Mac's and it sells for a reason. To remove viruses.
Fact 2 - There is currently no operating system dominating the market that is virus free. If there was, ASG would tell you about it.
Fact 3 - Mac computers at one point(years ago) were safer. WHY? Because hackers, malware writers and culprits alike were not focused on taking down the low number of Mac users. Now that Macs are gaining a significant amount of users, it doesnt seem like a waste of time to them.
Want more info? Below are links to other highly rated websites with information about viruses and Mac computers.
About.com - In this article about.com gives their opinion on if you need Antivirus software for a mac computer.
USATODAY.com - This article dates back to 2006. The article talks about the first worm that took aim at what used to be the newest Mac operating system "Mac OS X", which is actually todays latest mac operating system.
Apple.com - This is a link to the Apple.com forum with Mac users teaming up to help a fellow Mac users delete a virus from their computers. In this article, 3 different people are dealing with and treating the same virus using antivirus software. The second post in this article has a link that will take you to an article about the other 2 people dealing with the same virus. Here is a link to the second group of people dealing with the same virus.
Want even more info? See below
RELEASED 11-19-2008! - New Trojan that creates a backdoor on MAC computers
RELEASED 1-5-2009! - A list of Security Issues that MAC's had to deal with during the 2008 year.
RELEASED 1-14-2009! - Issue with Safari allows Mac & Windows computer files to be snooped on. Emails and Passwords are amongst the items in danger.
RELEASED 1-26-09! - MAC trojan targets software pirates, creates backdoor on MAC's
RELEASED 1-27-09! - MAC Malware on the Rise
RELEASED 2-13-09! - MAC plugs over 2 dozen security holes
RELEASED 3-20-09! - A MAC computer gets hacked in less than 10 seconds, last year it took this guy 2 minutes. He's getting faster at hacking your MAC
RELEASED 6-4-09! - FTC considers investigating misleading Advertising of MAC OS
RELEASED 8-29-2009! - Apple finally decides to add Virus Protection to all New MAC Computers
We hope this little bit of information goes a long way. ASG does not favor Microsoft over Mac. ASG actually posts Antivirus, Antispyware and Firewalls for Mac, Windows and Linux computers. If you have questions, email us anytime.
