Comments on: Apple says users should install anti-virus software (so what?)

By: Flip

Flip — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:46:32 +0000

And now Apple has pulled the page.

By: Partners in Grime

Partners in Grime — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:29:47 +0000

Virus advice: Don’t stick unknown thingies in your USB port.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:05:29 +0000

“And yet some folks are blowing this way out of proportion.”
It’s not surprising, bloggers routinely blow things out of proportion. They have to publish something every day, preferably something juicy. Involves Apple? Check. Is it controversial? Check. Good linkbait? Check. Gotta publish this!!!
Even the BBC makes it sound like the “move” is a response to a “fresh threat.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7760344.stm
In fact, Apple has updated an old tech note. Here is a link to an old version (June 2007).
http://web.archive.org/web/20080113164722/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=4454

By: jb

jb — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:27:46 +0000

If there was a modern-day Disinfectant, I would use it. But even on my (company’s) Windows box I avoid antivirus software. Its more trouble than its worth. Even in Windows land, you can basically avoid viruses by not installing junk, being careful with received email attachments, and keeping up with patches.
My personal perspective on the issue aside, Apple is probably wise to claim that users should run A/V software. Its largely a CYA thing (“Apple said I didn’t need to run A/V, but then a virus wiped out my files and stole my credit card numbers.”). Plus, how many users don’t even understand the concept of “don’t install junk”.
All that said, I agree: nothing to see here.

By: Rui Carmo

Rui Carmo — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:06:35 +0000

Last time I bothered with that kind of thing was back in 2004:
http://the.taoofmac.com/space/blog/2004/06/06
I haven’t seen that virus since