AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 10:57:15

Trevor Hewson

It all seems rather quiet around here so I thought I would re-visit an old topic:

The latest edition of Which? magazine recommends the above free software for Macs, claiming that it performs better than any of the paid-for alternatives they tested. Their expert also says 'this year has seen a huge increase in Mac malware, typically in the form of annoying pop-up adverts and software that makes unwanted changes to settings, or causes other programs to malfunction'.

To date, my attitude has always been to minimise the amount of third party software on my Mac, especially freeware. We've been using Macs since the days of OS7 and ClarisWorks and never had a problem. But then, we've lived here for 36 years without being burgled but still feel the need to keep up the house insurance so maybe installing AVG might be a wise move after all?

What does the panel think?

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 12:14:02

Roy Rainford

Thanks for posting Trevor. Good timing for one of my New Year resolutions to improve protection and 'clean' my iMac. I Googled AVG and found a discount on the 'Pro' version at: http://www.avg.com/ppc/ww-en/protection-offer-comparison-30?ECID=ad:go:se:UK-EN-Antivirus-Generic-Trial-Search&gclid=CP3Yp5WFi8oCFcjnwgodFYYGWg. I wonder if this is a genuine AVG site since I found another site was slightly different at: http://www.avg.com/ww-en/free-antivirus-protection. Any thoughts?

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 13:29:58

Euan Williams

Hi Trevor and Roy. I haven’t seen the Which report, so don’t know if I’m missing something vital :-) Sophos AV (free home edition) has worked well here for many years with no perceptible sluggishness unless you need to do a partial or total drive contents check. It uses the same data as the (paid-for) commercial version which offers access to personal advice on malware infestations that companies might need.

Sophos AV has just been superseded by “Sophos Home” which has some more features. In the days before OSX, malware was a big issue — Mac OS here goes back to 1989. Fortunately Microsoft Word’s scripting, the week that Quark Xpress inadvertently issued an update with malware, DCC Education department’s infestation (there were a number of other big malware events) are just memories in these OSX days. We relied on freeware AV maintained by the Zurich Technical University which used a cartoon of a Monty Python foot stamping down as it’s trademark delight.

Unhappily “social engineering” malware still relies on practical common sense for protection.

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 13:49:13

Roy Rainford

Have put “Sophos Home” on my shortlist. Thanks Euan.

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 14:20:02

Mick Burrell

Let's not panic until we've heard from Martin - I'd trust him much more than Which!

My own take is that anti virus software is unlikely to completely stop annoying pop up windows (if at all) and unless I'm mistaken, any software that's going to make changes to your computer needs to be allowed to install or operate by you typing in your admin password. But if Martin says I'm wrong then believe him not me :-)

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 21:26:31

Euan Williams

Hi all. The original reason for me using AV software was to avoid spreading nasty stuff to colleagues and friends who happen to be using Windows. Meantime the scope of the claims made for AV software effectiveness has broadened considerably,

Not sure if this is the Which? information source (print version?) Trevor has been reading, but if so, the testing they claim to have done has covered a wider field than just plain old-fashioned malware -- and no, I haven't read the results.

For what it's worth, (whether due to my several enlightened and effective ISPs, coming at the bottom of the alphabet, or AV software) incidents of pop-ups, spam, etc. are very rare. Very occasionally I do see malware flagged up in emails, it's always Windows-related although sometimes OSX versions are hinted at, and very simple to zapp. Hope this helps a bit...

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

2 Jan 2016 22:26:26

Eleanor Spenceley

I think this article pretty much sums it up for me:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/mac-antivirus-internet-security-software-malware-review-3523842/

I have never come across 'pop-ups' other than originating from web browsers.
Pop-ups from Web Browsers are just web developers finding a way convince the web browser it is a 'valid popup' and should be shown. This is an on-going game of cat and mouse between web developers and browser developers. Ignore ALL system led Pop-ups originating from Web Browsers, if you are unsure quit the webbrowser. If the popup disappears then it's from the web browser itself.

I have never come across a Mac specific mal-ware issue in the 15 years of running Mac OS X. The only issues an anti-virus has ever unearthed has been PC specific MS Office/.exe/.zip attachments. However, I have encountered a couple of issues by running Anti-Virus software, suffice to 'cripple' Mac OS X itself!!!!

My advice is:
Make sure your patches are up to date, try not to use really old versions of Mac OS X on the internet. If you need to, get a really good anti virus software which will cover ALL the latest mal-ware vectors.
Dump Adobe Flash if you can, or update always to the latest version.
Don't use Java in your web browser.
Don't install software from 'non official' sources.
Keep away of MS Office software.
Don't pass on MS Office documents, .zip or .exe files that are not created by yourself.
Understand the web browser address bar status.
Never click on email links without verifying the real web address first.
Let Apple's own malware detection system clean up in the background without making you paranoid.
Install a free AV software once a year or after a major 'scare', check your system and if there's nothing to report, uninstall it!
Do not run your Mac in administrator mode unless you are confident you will not blindingly enter your password to install software from rogue sources!

Follow these and you can probably remain anti-virus software free for the rest of the year.
But if you love tinkering with your Mac to waste away the odd hour, install some. It's a great way to get paranoid or forever distracted by all the new mal-ware signatures your AV software can check for and probably not find! ;-)

Some people might find my advice as risky, but no AV software is perfect so you also just might have false confidence in your software will protect you what ever you do on the internet.
Finally, KEEP AWAY FROM MACKEEPER!

Good luck out there.

- Running a Mac for 23 years and still waiting for a reason to justify running AV software all the time...

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

3 Jan 2016 09:27:02

Trevor Hewson

Thanks everyone for the responses. On balance, I think I'll continue to let the 'minimise third party software' policy prevail for the moment. I quite like Martin's idea of downloading and running the AV software once a year. Maybe I'll aim to do that before each annual OS X upgrade?

While typing this, GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent has again popped up to invite me to install version 7.1.5.1557 of Google Earth. I installed this at least three times back in the late Summer before noticing that it was the same update every time! The 'About' box on Google Earth confirms that this is indeed the version I already have but these update prompts continue to arise, probably monthly. Now if there was a program capable of blocking such stupidware as well as malware, I'd be really interested!

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

3 Jan 2016 13:15:47

Douglas Cheney

I have used AVG but gave it up when started to slow my Mac down. I now use ClamXav which works very well.

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

3 Jan 2016 13:53:51

Mick Burrell

Thank you Martin

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

3 Jan 2016 15:44:53

Roy Rainford

Thanks for all the comments above which have made me think again. "When in doubt do nowt".

Re: AVG Antivirus for Mac

4 Jan 2016 10:03:07

Eleanor Spenceley

@Trevor I might be wrong, but I think GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent/Google Earth is now obsolete and now Google only supports Google Earth Pro. http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/earth/download/gep/agree.html

Have a look at this page for uninstalling the agent.

http://superuser.com/questions/730736/how-to-remove-google-software-update-from-mac-osx