ZDNet reports that AVG, known for its free Windows antivirus tool, is busy developing an OS X version. Possibly. The company isn't sure whether the product will ever launch. Larry Bridwell of AVG's parent company Grisoft said "[W]e have done the [Linux] BSD version, which makes it a little bit easier to port to the Mac. It is in research and development right now to see if it is going to come out." At this time, OS X remains pretty secure and virus free but one can never tell what time, patience, dedication and a really bad attitude can do to spoil things for everybody.













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-08-2006 @ 12:52PM
Dave Barnes said...
As someone who used AVG for Windows for years and really liked it, I am excited that Grisoft would make a Mac version.
I dumped Symantec about 4 years ago after they "lost" my subscription one too many times and I went with AVG. Always worked perfectly. Price was lower than Symantec also.
One and half years ago I dumped Windows and came back to the Mac. I use ClamXAV, but am not happy with the interface as I am never really sure if it working.
,dave
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12-08-2006 @ 1:12PM
Chris said...
AVG is brilliant on Windows. If there was an increased threat towards the Mac platform in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to use AVG.
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12-08-2006 @ 1:44PM
Gandhi said...
Have AVGFree installed on my Windows desktp - been using it for over two years now. Does fast scanning, has email and MS Office integration. But one thing it does not have is folder monitoring, the way ClamXAv does. I have both Windows and OS-X put all downloads in to a "Downloads" folder - ClamXAv automatically scans everything that goes in there. For AVG I have to manually test it.
I am happy with ClamXAv on the Mac and what it offers (especially for the price!). But more security vendors are always welcome.
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12-08-2006 @ 1:52PM
trav said...
What the hell is Linux BSD? (Linux is Linux. BSD is Unix.)
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12-08-2006 @ 2:23PM
Chris said...
Avast! currently has a OS X version in beta.
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12-08-2006 @ 2:33PM
Gandhi said...
No they don't. Unless I am not looking in the right place, the official Avast site does not have a Mac version. They do have a Linux version though.
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12-08-2006 @ 3:10PM
tom barta said...
"2. AVG is brilliant on Windows. If there was an increased threat towards the Mac platform in the future, "
Umm-- I think the goal on Mac would be to help squash Windows viruses. There has yet to be a significant exploit in OSX, though I won't say it couldn't happen.
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12-08-2006 @ 3:26PM
jason said...
people need to realize that while the mac can't get a virus, it can pass them on to windows people. if you get a virus in a word doc (like a macro virus) you could forward that on to people if you're using office. my issue with clamav was that while it DID find the virus, I couldn't figure out a way to FIX it!
We're using symantec corporate where i work now, and all i have to say is that their support totally sucks, phone support will have you on hold for at least 30 minutes for ANYTHING. and their web support is totally worthless. i waited two weeks for them to tell me they couldn't answer my question. ugh.
does any other company make a corp edition of their software for the mac? i only thought of symantec cause they're the big name... kind of feel bad about that decision now...
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12-08-2006 @ 3:32PM
Justin Cook said...
This is good news. As Macs continue to grow in popularity it's only natural to assume that the viruses are on their way!
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12-08-2006 @ 4:16PM
Sherman Homan said...
In other news, AVG software engineers were busy writing viruses that would attack the Mac. "We need to create a demand for our Mac product."
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12-08-2006 @ 5:33PM
The Jeremy said...
I've been using AVG on my PC since my NAV one-year account expired. AVG is fast but it seems to corrupt itself in claiming to be out-of-date even after making the connection with their servers and downloads the updates.
Oh well. Perhaps the OS X client will be better. And they can give competition to Symantec and Virex to make better OS X products too.
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12-08-2006 @ 7:05PM
Mr Lizard said...
@ Jason
"people need to realize that while the mac can't get a virus"
I'm sorry, that's just wrong! Whilst it might be more difficult to target our chosen platform, it does not make it invulnerable to attack.
Proof of concept viruses have existed in the past for OS X. Whilst none have been successful in the wild, the fact that Apple pushes out security updates means the threat is there.
No platform, no matter how tightly locked down, is invincible to a virus.
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12-09-2006 @ 9:13AM
Baz said...
Smugness R' Us!
Too many Appleites blithely report that the Mac will never get a virus - Macs being being too secure, too cool, too, well...insignificant - a target for those so inclined to waste time on. But the time will come (especially as Apple is enjoying an increase in market share and also seems a bit clueless and rushed over Intel OSX) when an AV scanner will be desirable. If only, as some of those above have noted, not to pass on a virus to their WinOS chums or business colleagues.
I chucked Norton a few years ago (and McAfee before that) in favour of AVG Free on my 'old' notebook (it now runs as my office computer) and its always served me well. Occasional online scans from retail competitors report nothing has got past it, while its interface and automation (especially with the newest version) is clean and seamless.
AVG Free for Mac? I'll be there!
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12-09-2006 @ 4:02PM
St3phen said...
@ Mr Lizard
That's not exactly correct. While there have been proof-of-concept trojans and (sort-of) worms, there have been no viruses, proof-of-concept or otherwise, on OS X. Any successful malware on OS X would have to rely on social engineering (tricking the user to enter an admin username and password) in order to work. And, while that could happen, it still does not qualify as a "virus."
Also, Apple's latest Security Update removed an authorization caching loophole that will make it even more difficult for malware that relies on social engineering to propagate.
I do run NAV on my Mac for the sole reason of not passing-on Windows malware to my Windows-using correspondents. But I am not worried about my Mac getting a virus.
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12-09-2006 @ 8:25PM
Mr. scruples said...
never ever use AVG some of the computers at my school have been wiped or corrupted by AVG. maybe it is a hacked version. But I would never reccomend it.
reasons
1.2 out of 3 computers with AVG in my class got wiped right after a suspicious "AVG daily update".
2. all other computers with AVG are either corrupted or have a virus.
3.AVG updates take so much processor power that you can not do anything else.
4.AVG detects viruses but does not fix them. I had AVG say "infected items:3 healed: 0".
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12-10-2006 @ 9:22AM
Weight Loss said...
AVG is the greatest anti virus in my opnion. Im glad its going to a Mac.
http://weightlosshd.com
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12-10-2006 @ 7:50PM
unclemac said...
Sophos has a nice Mac AV product too. Enterprise only though...would be nice if they had a consumer version. Use it at work on 300+ Macs and 100+ Win boxes. Never a problem and great support. Used NAV before Sophos....always a pain.
http://www.sophos.com/products/es/endpoint/sav-mac.html
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12-10-2006 @ 7:52PM
Ed said...
Yep, I use AVG on Windows and its great. Every time I've seen Norton used it causes more issues than it solves. Its very hard to find the AVG free site though, I have to google it, the main AVG site doesn't mention it at all!
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12-11-2006 @ 7:35AM
G3 Creative said...
We are thinking of upgrading our kit which is used
mainly for graphic design work as G3 Creative is a design company.
have any problems been found running graphic software such as Freehand, Illustrator, Quark etc. on the dual platform?
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