Anti Spyware for Mac Recommended by Consumer Reports

The September issue of Consumer Reports contains a pointed warning for Macintosh users: you’re not as safe as you think you are. In their annual State of the Net issue, the well-known consumer organization suggested some very basic anti spyware for Mac users – install an anti-phishing toolbar on your Safari browser, or use something else. Anti spyware for Mac is often derided by Mac users as being unnecessary, but more and more reports are pointing out the need for Mac users to start using Macintosh anti spyware to safeguard their personal information from malicious users.

There are less Macintosh machines to target, but more Macs in homes makes Mac spyware more profitable to develop

While Apple’s market share is growing, it’s been a long-standing truth that Macs make up a relatively small segment of the home computer market and even less of the typical office computer market.  A virus targeting PC machines will hit a vulnerable target 92-97% of the time – because 95% to 97% of the machines out there are PCs. Why should spyware writers target such a relatively small part of the overall online and computer world when the PC market is an easier nut to crack?

Who should install anti spyware for Mac computers?

Many people mistakenly believe that they are safe from all attacks and spyware because they are using a Macintosh computer. This is simply not so, and the Consumer Reports article makes no bones about it. The Mac OS may be more secure out of the box than typical PC operating systems, but it can be compromised in many ways as well. The past few months have seen a number of well-publicized exploits that target Mac users as well as PC users. You should be using Macintosh anti spyware if you fit into any of the following groups of Mac users.

Mac Users in a Multi User environment need anti spyware for Macintosh.

At Apple’s web site, their downloads pages for the Mac operating system includes a download for SecureMac’s Mac Scan spyware remover, anti spyware software for Macintosh. The information listed for the download states that Macintosh anti spyware is “important in any multi-user environment such as a school or workplace”. It’s a valid warning for Mac users. Any time that multiple users have access to the same computer, a single spyware program can put all users at risk. A key logger, Trojan or other piece of malicious software on a computer shared by multiple users exposes anyone who uses that computer to the risk of having their passwords stolen and their private information compromised. This includes home networked computers and computers used by the entire family

Mac users who use social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn are vulnerable to spyware.

Hackers have always known that the easiest way to install spyware and other unwanted software on a computer is with the user’s cooperation. Social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and LinkedIn are fertile hunting grounds for spyware writers and distributors. Because users of social networking sites typically trust that site, spyware distributors find it easy to trick users into installing software that compromises their systems and opens them to spying, stolen passwords and other attacks. If you or anyone in your family or organization uses social networking sites, it’s important to routinely run Macintosh anti spyware software to catch any rogue programs or Trojans that might have been mistakenly installed on your computer.

If you use a Windows emulator to run Windows software on your Mac, you should be using anti spyware for Macintosh computers.

A lot of malware doesn’t need to be platform specific – only program specific. If you are running Windows programs on your Mac, you should have a good spyware scanner like Mac Scan spyware remover installed and run it routinely to detect and isolate any threats to your data security.

In short, while Macintosh users may be more secure than PC users, they’re not immune to spyware. If you use your computer online or are in any kind of multi-user environment, you should be protecting yourself with anti spyware software for Mac machines. Anti spyware for Macintosh isn’t just needless fluff – it should be part of your regular maintenance of your computer to keep it secure

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