Antivirus software for Mac OS X

Nov 27, 2008 11:21 GMT  ·  By

The well-known security firm Intego has updated its antivirus software for Mac, VirusBarrier X5. The software gets major updates with every OS X version release, even matching the version number with that of Apple's Mac OS X.

With Mac OS X 10.5.5 as the latest available Leopard version, Intego has updated VirusBarrier X5 to version 10.5.5 as well, improving performance of the real-time scanner when scanning network volumes, handling of FileVault volumes, the command-line scanner, as well as the quarantine feature, Turbo mode, and log management.

Other enhancements were made with backup support, (especially Apple’s Time Machine were mentioned in the changelog), but also memory, process and quarantine management for the real-time scanner. VirusBarrier X5 10.5.5 now boasts better performance when scanning archives. Lastly, Intego was able to include fixes for some issues with manual and scheduled scans.

Intego VirusBarrier X5 is the company's flagship product. The security firm claims its software “identifies and eradicates viruses, and prevents your Macintosh from being infected by viruses”. While most Mac users are reluctant to the idea that Mac viruses even exist, Intego touts its program as “the easiest to use antivirus program for Macintosh.”

VirusBarrier X5 constantly asks the user about “suspicious” activity when installing a program, and while this is mentioned as a great feature, many Mac users will probably pass on the extra clicks when performing the simplest of program installations.

The antivirus software for Mac got our attention earlier this year, when the security firm acknowledged and reported a Mac OS X threat. The vulnerability took advantage of the fact that ARDAgent, a part of the Remote Management component of Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5, had a setuid bit set. Soon after, in light of the App Store's release, along with the availability of a jailbreaking tool for the iPhone OS 2.0, an antivirus solution such as Intego's was declared a must-have by the company.

You can download and try out a 30-day free trial of the software using the link below. The unregistered version allows files or volumes to be scanned for viruses, but doesn't provide the repair function (enabled only after purchase).

Download VirusBarrier X5 10.5.5 (Update / Trial / Buy)