Leopard users advised to play it safe

Jun 20, 2008 08:18 GMT  ·  By

With what looks like a growing trend of threats for Macs that we have on our hands, Apple recommends that users install an antivirus as there are vulnerabilities that can do damage to their system, PC Tools claims. One solution, the developer says, is its iAntiVirus for Mac OS X Leopard users.

The developer informs that the iAntiVirus database has been designed to detect and remove only Mac-specific threats. This means that iAntiVirus' database will not be cluttered with signatures for Windows-specific threats - as a Mac user, you are immune to those. As a result of this, you get a high level of protection whilst keeping memory footprint and resource usage at a minimum.

It's a well known fact that most Mac users are complacent to secure their computers against online or digital threats. "Oh, they are such snobs... they deserve to get hacked!" says the hacking community. Well, good thing PC Tools thought of this useful antivirus for you, Mac users, which will offer protection against cyber-threats and bad guys attempting to gain access to your computer and the information stored on it.

The iAntiVirus user interface is "purely functional," PC Tools claims, making it easy to scan for viruses, remove and manage infections, and more. As any quality antivirus, iAntiVirus allows Mac users to use multiple scan types, providing a balance between optimizing system performance and the thoroughness of a scan. Everything else you would expect from an antivirus program is there.

iAntiVirus works in the background, blocking and removing threats "without any system impact," PC Tools says. A small alert window is displayed when your Mac has been protected against an attack.

The developer also points out that Apple recently released the "Security Configuration" (PDF) documentation for "Version 10.5 Leopard." The 250-page e-book contains an array of security tips to protect Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard") clients. According to PC Tools, the "intensive document under Advance Security Management advises Mac OS X users to install Antivirus Tools and Intrusion Detection Systems." The developer's blog reveals that "Apple acknowledges the importance of hardening computers and in today's prevalent threats such as Zlob's DNSChanger for Mac, it is no doubt that these internet security tools will certainly help users in keeping their computer safe."

iAntivirus 1.0 (Public Beta) is available for download at this address.