Viruses on OS X

[ziomatrixacs]

Thats it? only two?
I dont use those kinds of sites, but does that mean any quick time plug in could be a virus?

[Satcomer]

Originally Posted by ziomatrixacs

Thats it? only two?
I dont use those kinds of sites, but does that mean any quick time plug in could be a virus?

Yes only two. The security level for Unix (BSD Unix is the core of OS X) requires your permission to install stuff where it could affect the system. Hence the different levels in the Mac Finder. Top level for the entire system, User level for YOU.

The second answer is No. It pretends to be a QuickTime plugin.

To protect you self go into Safari (or ant browser's preferences) and turn off automatic unpacking/installing. In Safari is is Preferences and then uncheck "Open safe files after downloading".

Lastly a little web commonsense can go real far in protecting yourself, on any computer platform.

Note: If you really want to be safe go to OpenDNS and use there DNS. Then go back to the site and create a free account. Then in that free account you will be able to block known phishing sites with adding additional software bloat to your computer. You also can block custom sites too. One added benefit using OpenDNS is many users (including me) saw quicker web site loading after using their DNS. That is way I recommend the service almost every chance I get.

[ziomatrixacs]

Eh, I was downloading programs and I got one called Podview a week ago from versiontracker.com It asked me for my password and I pput it in ...Doh! It didnt say why but I thought it was to allow my ipod to send info back into the computer. The pprogram works and i havnt noticed any ill effects. I also took all of the @ symbols out of my adress book..I know windows version is very dangerous.. kinda assumed the same concept could be applied to a mac.


So that open DNS thing would make my internet run faster but all of my info would pass through them?

[Satcomer]

Originally Posted by ziomatrixacs

So that open DNS thing would make my internet run faster but all of my info would pass through them?

Yes. It is a simple case that most ISPs really have no clue on DNS. They don not keep up on the ever changing net.

Now if you really want piece of mind on a Mac then you get a program that monitors you connections outbound. That program (that I use) is shareware and it is called Little Snitch. You will be really surprised how many programs call home way beyond simple updating cues. Using the program seems overwhelming but the more you use it the less you notice it.

[ziomatrixacs]

Interesting.. so I am using dial up right now, if I were to use OpenDNS, would I notice a substantial increase or just a moderate increase in speed? I noticed that I only get 46-49kb/s instead of the 56kb/s rate that dial up is advertised. Of course everything computer is jacked up a bit like advertising a 200gb hard drive before formating it, so i could imagine that its no different with internet.
..Not sure if I want all of my info passing through them though.

Little snitch is interesting, it looks like it can block outgoing connections right? Brings back windows XP memories of going into CTRL ALT DELETE control panel and then going into processes and seeing my RAM being taken up by alot of ominous sounding things with .exe at the end of them. Looks like it tells you where the connection is trying to go, not what it does. I would be worried about blocking something vital yet completely user accessible like those ominous .exe files in XP.

[Satcomer]

Oh you still on dial up, that makes a difference. Then Little Snitch and OpenDNS is a little overkill on a dial up.

[CaribbeanOS-X]

Chevy:

I wanted to get back to that link you posted above but no go... i just opened up a you tube video and a sketchy flash player msg popped up? Asking me to update a plug-in... No thanks! closed out of FF and wanted to check those setting i read about in your post but the i am getting an Apache Error msg from the forum? Did you happen to copy the terminal instructions?

[ziomatrixacs]

Well, I use dial up at home and wireless DSL when I am intown..which is often actually.
I might get the DNS, don't know if I need little snitch though.