I'm hopefully buying my macbook in a couple of days. It'll be the first time I've used one. I'm not sure what kind of software to get for it. What's the best internet security/anti-virus software for Macbook?
Also, I use DVD Shrink for copying DVDs. Will that work on mac or should I find something else? I also need a program to covert DVD files to AVI. Will VLC work on Mac?
In all honesty, you don't need any third-party anti-virus software for your Mac. Mac OS 10.4/10.5 provides all the security you need.
DVD Shrink is not a Mac application; it will not run on a Mac. MacTheRipper will rip DVDs to your hard drive, and DVD2OneX will compress a VIDEO_TS folder to fit on a single layer DVD. Also, Toast is a very popular CD/DVD burning application for Mac OS X.
VisualHub or HandBrake will convert a DVD (VIDEO_TS folder) to .AVI
for anti-virus software for mac you can use either netbarrier or virex. although having said that, in the 13 years I've been on mac I've only been infected twice and that was on mac os 9. glad you made the switch :O)
Totally agree, u don't need to waste your money on anti-virus software, if any virus tries to access your os, the mac asks you do you want to load this on your computer, you say no and hey presto your safe.
I've been a mac user for 19 years and never had a virus on my system.
My preference is to set up a security detection system and then not worry. Though I use some Unix security programs that are really for servers only, there are some good habits all might cultivate.
Use an account other than your first one, which is the administrator's account. Disable protocols & network services you don't use (once you learn what this means), close your firewall as much as you can (use passive FTP), have your ISP change your ip address hourly, run 'Software Update' from Apple (but have it request your permission to install a patch, so you can close other applications while it is installing), always quickly update any non-Apple applications that access the internet. Various archives inform you of updates, including
I run 'ClamXav Sentry' on folders I download mail & files to, so I can inform Windows friends of malware on their systems; but this also checks for Mac spyware. If you have certain downloads automatically decompress & open (as I do), ClamXav Sentry will check them before they open. This makes me feel more responsible in allowing this.
Viruses are no problem if you backup your system, but spyware can hurt you. Though very rare, it varies in severity from keyboard loggers to tracking cookies (used by ad agencies).
Though ClamXav can do the job at no cost, I invested in MacScan. This I run on the 'Desktop' nightly, to remove pesky tracking cookies, on CDs & DVDs; and its the first application I run when my computer suddenly slows or displays unusual responses. (I always consider an unknown problem a security problem, and eliminate that possibility first.) If you really think someone has broken into your system (not unknown on Windows), place the 'Terminal' in your dock, click it, and type 'last'. This will display details of the last several logins.
Finally, when you bank, click the 'Safari' menu & select 'Private Browsing'. This will leave no track of your keystrokes in any temporary files.
