Filed under: Software
macdevcenter on ClamXav
Our very own Jay Savage was the first to open my eyes to the wonder that is ClamXav, and now the macdevecenter has joined the anti-virus bandwagon. This very helpful article goes through the steps of installing the software, setting up the preferences (by default it only scans when you tell it to, for all you antivirus haters out there) and includes an interview with the developer that wrapped GUI goodness around the command line tool CalmAV (which, by the way Apple ships with OS X server).So, please read the article, download the software and make sure your Mac is virus free, it makes for a better Internet for everyone!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick said 12:31PM on 8-21-2005
Is it worth reading the whole thing, or will I understand it (i.e. Is it a normal program)?
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Mike said 5:35PM on 8-21-2005
It's a very intuitive process. The article is only two pages long though, so it shouldn't kill you.
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rhys said 6:18PM on 8-21-2005
Am I missing something here? Since when has there been enough (or any) viruses to warrant bothering with this?
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Ryan Groat said 8:08PM on 8-21-2005
Rhys, there are plenty of viruses out there. Those viruses just don't happen to be for OS X. Scanning for viruses on your mac is mostly just a courtesy for your Windows friends. An infected file might not infect your computer, but you can sure pass on that virus to other people.
Also, you never know when sonebody will make some malacious code for OS X.
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Rob Knight said 4:23AM on 8-22-2005
READ THIS:
I just installed and ran ClamXAV on my Documents folder and it said I had 1 infected file. Here is the EXACT file and location from the scan log:
Documents/Windows 98.vpc7/Disk1.vhdp/BaseDrive.vhd: DOS.HLLP.6256 FOUND
That's right, my 1 week old installation of Windows98 running in VirtualPC is INFECTED!!! I never opened an email or downloaded a single thing on the thing. It is connected to a network, so somehow it got a virus/worm/WinBug of some sort.
I've wiped the tears of laughter from my eyes and now I'm going to...no, still laughing. At least I can trash the thing without issue.
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Mr Tipples said 5:18AM on 8-22-2005
How does this compare to other antivirus software, Norton Antivirus 10 for example? Should people be switching over to this free utility, or is the software you pay for generally better than freeware?
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Antonis said 10:02AM on 8-22-2005
Replying to Rhys 4.
I've heard this argument before, that I should run an antivirus program in case I accidentaly spread a Windows virus.
I refuse to slow down MY system because someone ELSE's system might get infected. Everyone is responsible for his own computer's well being and the reason I bought a Mac is to stop worrying about viruses. It's not my fault that someone else's OS is more prone to virus infections than mine.
Have to go for lunch now :-)
Antonis
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Antonis said 10:06AM on 8-22-2005
^ Eeep, I made a mistake. Actually the reply was for Ryan (who was replying to Rhys) :-)
Antonis
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