Thought I'd post about one type of virus that does effect Mac computers, I actually caught this one- Macros virusus.
This is the best application for finding and quarantining viruses for Mac. Clam Xav http://www.pure-mac.com/downloads/clamxavdl.html
It's free I use it all the time. If you trade files with PC users believe me you'll probably get at least one infected file in your lifetime. You need to go to Preferences and select "quarentine infected files" and choose a location if you want to actually take action on fixing them.
Macros virusus are probably the most common. They get into your system through applications that use Macros (Microsoft Word is probably the most popular). So step one is obvious: never enable Macros on a file, never. Still some virusus are quick tricky and can still embed themselves even if you deny enabling Macros
Most infect your templates, since formatted templates often utilize Macros functions, and then continue to populate your system as you use that template.
As a user you might experience frequent crashes, strange errors on saving (like stupid childish messages such as "Are You Surprised" and so forth). More than likely you will have absolutely no idea you have a virus.
Macros virusus are easy to code so they are abundant but luckily pretty easy to kill.
1) Locate the default template file for the application infected with the Macros virus and delete it. The templates are usually packaged with the application in a folder called user data or something similar- you can search for "template" and you should find it easily.
3)Any infected files can be disinfected by copying and pasting the text into a new document. If you seem to keep that virus in the copy save as plain text (import into text edit, go to format> make plain text then save as plain text). There's zero places for a Macros virus to hide in a plain text file but you do loose your formatting.
PS: SHAME on the person who posted to the user that they shouldn't get rid of the virus just because it doesn't effect Mac!!! First off it does, and will, second any documents that Mac user makes and sends to their PC friends will wreck havoc on their PCs. So always disinfect your computer- don't propogate virusus.
This is the best application for finding and quarantining viruses for Mac. Clam Xav http://www.pure-mac.com/downloads/clamxavdl.html
It's free I use it all the time. If you trade files with PC users believe me you'll probably get at least one infected file in your lifetime. You need to go to Preferences and select "quarentine infected files" and choose a location if you want to actually take action on fixing them.
Macros virusus are probably the most common. They get into your system through applications that use Macros (Microsoft Word is probably the most popular). So step one is obvious: never enable Macros on a file, never. Still some virusus are quick tricky and can still embed themselves even if you deny enabling Macros
Most infect your templates, since formatted templates often utilize Macros functions, and then continue to populate your system as you use that template.
As a user you might experience frequent crashes, strange errors on saving (like stupid childish messages such as "Are You Surprised" and so forth). More than likely you will have absolutely no idea you have a virus.
Macros virusus are easy to code so they are abundant but luckily pretty easy to kill.
1) Locate the default template file for the application infected with the Macros virus and delete it. The templates are usually packaged with the application in a folder called user data or something similar- you can search for "template" and you should find it easily.
3)Any infected files can be disinfected by copying and pasting the text into a new document. If you seem to keep that virus in the copy save as plain text (import into text edit, go to format> make plain text then save as plain text). There's zero places for a Macros virus to hide in a plain text file but you do loose your formatting.
PS: SHAME on the person who posted to the user that they shouldn't get rid of the virus just because it doesn't effect Mac!!! First off it does, and will, second any documents that Mac user makes and sends to their PC friends will wreck havoc on their PCs. So always disinfect your computer- don't propogate virusus.
