PC Tools iAntiVirus aims to be Mac specific

Maclockpick - uh huh...

http://blog.cocoia.com/2007/04/28/debunking-maclockpick/

Which states in part "When clicking further than the all too speculative headlines from news websites, you quickly discover some facts about MacLockPick; 1.) It’s entire working is apparently based, according to their site, to the default setting of the OS X keychain to be ‘opened’ to use. This means anyone serious enough about computer security will be able to harden themselves against it. To quote SubRosaSoft" and "If you have the keychain open, and an application tries to fetch passwords, the Keychain Agent will ask you if you want to allow access. " Which would seem to me to make Maclockpick a non pick

"-a hammer specialized for use by lawyers"

Now that's a great idea. I'll take two. If I can use it on clients who don't want to pay their bills.

Also, I'd be wary of anything PC Tools puts out. Back when I was using my PC (before the glorious Mac Revelation), I tried out their Anti-virus/spyware product.

It was a great big system resource hog that didn't perform any better than less dense and free products. I demanded a refund after about a month of use, which they reluctantly provided.

A Mac-specific antivirus tool? I have a number of ideas of more necessary things:

- headphones for the totally deaf
- rosaries for protestants
- a hammer specialized for use by lawyers

...you get the idea.

I'm with you that there's currently a much bigger chance of a Mac user accidentally playing "Typhoid Mary" and passing on a Windows virus than there is of contracting Mac malware. On the other hand I don't agree with the common position that Mac users can be completely complacent with regard to security, and that we're spouting FUD; with that attitude when (or if, if you like) some significant Mac attack comes along, we Mac users won't be in a good position to confront it.

By the way, I wrote a paper for Sophos describing a few simple steps Mac users can take (and I should point out right now that buying things from us isn't one of those steps ;-) to have a more secure experience; it's here: http://www.sophos.com/security/technical-papers/mac-data-theft.html
I'd gladly welcome all feedback that readers have!

@Nicki-

ClamXav is the best one out there: www.clamxav.com

I was wondering if you guys could make a list of the best Antivirus software for MAC ? ... preferable free of course ;D

So this would search for like, two trojans. Why would I pay for that. You shouldn't be opening files or emails that aren't from trusted sources anyway. And as for Windows users, they're all using anti-virus software. I've used anti-virus software on my mac before and it never picked up anything... ever. You should be aware of the threats and use common sense. The threat is being blown completely out of proportion. Please stop this fear mongering.

But does it work on Trojans?

Otherwise, what's the point?

I've always been skeptical of AV companies. I have a feeling they have a hand in creating some of the FUD surrounding viruses and other malware. It seems rather suspicious that there's a "big scare" and all of a sudden we have a shiny new product for us to buy, and in such a short time frame. Sounds like it was waiting in the wings for a reason to be released or a market to be created for it.

So, it has the smallest virus database in history of anti-virus software?