So...

I will FINALLY admit it... YES, my Mac is not impermeable to threats.

I didn't want to admit it, but YES... internet surfing was/is slow.

So I installed Avira's free mac software, and found 5 adware threats and 2 viruses... and there was still PLENTY of scanning left to be done.

The only issue I have with virus software (as all audio production people would agree), is how to COMPLETELY turn it off when running the DAW.

Unlike my PC, which I have always been able to turn off most, if not all, virus services, I am not sure how to do it with my mac.

I opened the Activity Monitor app, and can see what is what... but I am not familiar with what I can just "Quit," and what I cannot.

Anyone have recommendations or advice?


P.S. since it's easy enough, I was literally going to just uninstall Avira/reinstall before/after DAW use (since Avira has a supposed "100% complete" uninstall app).

 

You mean to say, "Anti-virus software," no?

 

https://mackeeper.com

 

On a serious note:
Get Bitdefender trial, clean your mac.

Then, on all your browsers install these two extensions: Ghostery and uBlock - these should kee you far away from pretty much anything if you're just a little bit careful what websites you visit.

 

@stevitch yes... I always mess that one up...

No... I actually am looking to put viruses on my mac :D

Mackeeper :DDDD

i fukn HATE that stupid damn thing... I think it's THAT pop-up (which comes with many of the peeplinks... amongst others), that I swear is probably giving me shit.

Is your advice to get Bitdefender, clean it, THEN UNINSTALL IT, and then use those ad blocker browser extensions?..

I say uninstall obviously to not mess with DAW performance.

 

Avoid Mackeeper completely. it is, in itself, malware and should never be used on a Mac..

The best and simplest free Anti-Malware software would be Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.. Does a great job of keeping your Mac clean from the only typical stuff you need to clean off of your Mac.

 

Dim's asking how to disable the Avira agent, not for another solution..
The question is if this old phrase of don't run anything else besides your DAW still goes.. How much resources does it actually take on a modern computer? Just don't do a defininition-update or a virusscan when you're 'Daw-ing'.
Besides, it's OSX, which is Unix-based. It doesn't have a registry, the system works in another way. Normally OSX doesn't get slower over time.

For your still not so speedy surfing: try Onyx (it's free). This is a whole suite of maintenance tools for OSX. Some of which OSX already does every day or week, some, like cleaning the internet cache can come in handy. Be careful, there are some tools in Onyx where you afterwards need to rescan all plugins, which can take a while with the average ..Z user (-;

Onyx: http://www.titanium.free.fr/index.html

 

you got me worried. luckily 0 threats on 2 machines.
(7.5 years with no threats. macs arent too vulnerable for the safe user, yet)

 

Last edited: Nov 22, 2016

You are sure that the Viruses you found are real and not just false alerts ?
Some Virus Scanner even identify Dropbox as Virus ....

 

Just dont take a realtime AV as said, like Malware Bytes for example.
You can also check Tencent which is really powerful, services friendly, and can be completely turned off with one button, and turned back on

 

I worked as a genius for apple for 4 years, never saw a self replicating virus. Adware yes, traditional virus no. I use a free program called Malwarebytes along with Clean my Mac, no problems here.

 

I totally agree!

 

Bit defender is good and also a full version can be also found on torrent sites.On the other hand , if possible avoid surfing with your DAW dedicated device either PC/Mac/Lnx.If not possible, then avoid surfing the obvious suspect sites (porn,warez,etc).As for MacKee***r (i don't even wanna spell the name),is a f**ing sh*ty program that is even treated as a malware from some antivirus programs.The company uses freaking annoying ways just to convince you download their crap and even if us mac users tried everything with popup blockers etc , they still manage to pop a f**king ad while surfing.This is the damn equivalent of windows blue screens.I HATE YOU MacK***r.Burn mother***er BURN.

 

Last edited: Nov 22, 2016

I use Sophos Home which is free. Don`t go MacKeeper. Malwarebytes will do the job also.

 

I've had a lot of nasty pop-up garbage, usually on warez-related sites, but so far, I don't think I've seen any viruses (knock on wood)! Like others in this thread, I use Onyx, CleanMyMac 3, Little Snitch, AdBlock, etc. Hell, a few years ago, when I had Norton installed, I think I experienced one actually unknown file that it quarantined -- the rest of the time, it just blocked me from downloading .rar files. And El Crapitan makes it hard for you to authorize your actual legit software, let alone some virus crap.