Any Mac users out there I need some advice. I have an iMac5,1 - Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.16 Ghz., OSX 10.4.11. I am going to be doing my taxes with Turbo Tax and want to make sure the computer is free of viruses, spyware, etc. before doing them. What do you recommend? Thanks for any answers.

Ok, first of all, viruses on Macs are extreeeeeeemely rare.

There seems to be one prominant piece of software on the market for this purpose: MacScan. I found these reviews here (http://www.macupdate.com/reviews.php?id=10267). Personally, based on those reviews, I wouldn't spend any time or effort using it. Here's another review (http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/mac/MacScan-Review-53102.shtml) which solidifies it. This comment from the review speaks volumes, IMO:

Unfortunately, the developer is quite misleading when describing what the program does, and many users that have no knowledge of computer security, will jump all over this program, thinking that it will protect them from threats that are not really there.

The reviews suggest that one of it's biggest benefits is that it clears cookies. If you're concerned about cookies, PLEASE do NOT buy software to do something you can do manually in less than a minute.

Here's how you clear your cookies on Safari:

Open Preferences.
Click on Security.
Click on "Show Cookies"
Click on "CLEAR ALL".

Now you have cleared your "tracking cookies" without buying software to do it. ;)

ETA: If you have specific websites that you regularly visit and you don't want to clear those cookies, you can look at the cookies and just delete the ones you don't recognize. For example, there are two websites I visit regularly without signing in - MousePlanet and our Cub Scout Pack's site. When I have the cookies window open, I highlight the cookies that do NOT say "mousepad" or "cubscoutpackwebsite" and delete those, leaving the sites with automatic sign-ins in place.

Adrienne

Thanks for the info about viruses, adriennek. What about spyware? Since I will be listing personal info (SSN, bank account for direct deposit, etc.), I am more worried about spyware and identity theft problems. Is there anything you would recommend to scan for that.

thanks.

You really shouldn't have any spyware, either. The software I referred to claims it gets rid of Spyware - but Macs don't have Spyware issues either. The software manages cookies. Like I said above, you can do that yourself by deleting cookies. It's a bit of misleading marketing on their part. There isn't a lot out there because it's just really not an issue.

Every once in awhile there is ONE rare issue and the Mac-haters all run to say "Oh, you Mac users better watch out! It's not as safe as you think it is!!!!! Be Afraid! Be Very Afraid!!!!!"

Yeah, not so much. ;)

Here's an article about false expectations of Mac viruses & spyware (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/09/29/mac-spyware-prediction-wrong/).

If you're using advertising supported software on your computer - for example, there was a e-mail program, Eudora, you could use for free but it put ads on your computer in exchange for using the software - you might have more issues with the software tracking your online activity. Otherwise, regularly clear your cookies and keep your OSX regularly updated and you shouldn't have a reason to worry.

Adrienne

I have been on Macs since the Apple C. (We actually had/have the original Macs as my ex worked at Apple when they came out.) I have NEVER had a virus on any of my Macs. I don't use any virus software as it isn't worth it.

I have been on Macs since the Apple C. (We actually had/have the original Macs as my ex worked at Apple when they came out.)

OMG. May I drool?

Doc had a 512 (the second Mac,) that his family actually did buy IN 1984. Note the word "Had". His mom gave it away. :crying: I wish we still had that computer. Yes, it would be a dust collector. But what a COOL dust collector it would be. Cooler than the Apple ][plus in my parents office, unfortunately. :(

Adrienne

OMG. May I drool?

Doc had a 512 (the second Mac,) that his family actually did buy IN 1984. Note the word "Had". His mom gave it away. :crying: I wish we still had that computer. Yes, it would be a dust collector. But what a COOL dust collector it would be. Cooler than the Apple ][plus in my parents office, unfortunately. :(

AdrienneMy ex has it. But, I had the 20th Anniversary Mac. I kid you not, that was THE best Mac ever. THE BEST.

I have a "Been There, Done That" tshirt from around 1990 when Microsoft introduced some version of Windoze that they thought was really exciting.

That's as cool as I get though. :(

I did sell a Mac to an IBM employee once. I like that story, too. ;)

Adrienne

Hey, I have a Vic 20 and the original IBM PC in my garage. Does that count for anything?

Hey, I have a Vic 20 and the original IBM PC in my garage. Does that count for anything?

Not really.

I'm waiting to see your first Mac. :) THAT will count for something BIG and I'm eagerly anticipating it. :)

Adrienne

Hey, I have a Vic 20 and the original IBM PC in my garage. Does that count for anything?

If you need some software, I have some original stuff for that machine in a box in a closet (including DOS and I think an adventure game - similar to the one at the beginning of Big, but without the graphics).

Thanks for all the info. I found a free utility for a DNS changer detector/ removal from SecureMac and it found nothing so I think I am good to go.

I have been a little paranoid lately since my credit card company called me to ask me if I was purchasing $700 dollars worth of train tickets in France. Um, no I'm in Arizona.

By the way my first mac was a color classic. I thought it was so cool to have a "portable" all in one computer and a color screen. Wow, just how old am I?

I also miss Clarus the dogcow...moof

By the way my first mac was a color classic. I thought it was so cool to have a "portable" all in one computer and a color screen. Wow, just how old am I?

My first Mac was an SE with two floppy drives. I think that makes me older.

Adrienne

My favorite Mac commercial will always be the "Whoa" series. I get such a kick out of it.

My favorite Mac commercial will always be the "Whoa" series. I get such a kick out of it.
... it was a really good paper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2-UuIEOcss).

If you want, you can help out on Vista. We could use some help on Vista... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc_uyC_GF3A)

Adrienne

I had a Mac LC with a color monitor when I was in college. Ooooh ahhh. I really liked that little computer. When it came time for me to venture online, I got a PowerMac G3. Of course, we had sloooow dial-up internet. That was back when a 56k modem was really cool. Mom still uses that computer for games, but her mouse stopped working a couple of days ago. I may have to buy one via eBay if I can't find one anywhere else.

We have one of those first generation iMacs -- the blue one. We finally stopped using it because we couldn't get online with the old software any more, there was no way of downloading new software (since we couldn't get online), and we couldn't find anything on a disc that was small enough megabyte-wise to fit on the hard drive.

Not really.

I'm waiting to see your first Mac. :) THAT will count for something BIG and I'm eagerly anticipating it. :)

Adrienne

I have an original 128k Mac sitting on a bookshelf at home. I believe it still works. If only I could find a 400k disk with system 1.0 on it...

David...

Thanks for all the info. I found a free utility for a DNS changer detector/ removal from SecureMac and it found nothing so I think I am good to go.

I have been a little paranoid lately since my credit card company called me to ask me if I was purchasing $700 dollars worth of train tickets in France. Um, no I'm in Arizona.


I've been buying stuff online for years, the most trouble I've ever had with credit card fraud was someone who must have double-swiped my atm card at a restaurant...

David...

I had a Mac LC with a color monitor when I was in college.

Which one? :~D I had a first generation Mac LC with a color monitor, LOL. ooooh. I don't know what's geekier, that I had it or that I know that there were to different versions of that computer.


I have an original 128k Mac sitting on a bookshelf at home. I believe it still works. If only I could find a 400k disk with system 1.0 on it...

David...

You know I hate you a little bit, right? Doc had a 512. His mother gave it away. :rolleyes: :crying:

Adrienne

You know I hate you a little bit, right? Doc had a 512. His mother gave it away. :rolleyes: :crying:

Adrienne

ask joe or amanda about the large boxes full of old computers I made them help me move from los angeles to sonoma...

ask joe or amanda about the large boxes full of old computers I made them help me move from los angeles to sonoma...

I have a feeling I shouldn't. I envision eyes rolling...

Adrienne

I have a feeling I shouldn't. I envision eyes rolling...

you should ask. just to see how far eyes are able to roll.

um. then there's the yelling.

so, maybe don't ask, just imagine.