Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 09:56
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Although many Mac users are of the opinion they don’t need anti-virus
protection, security companies keep on delivering it, with PC Tools
marking two important milestones: version 1.0 of its iAntiVirus
software for Mac, after a successful beta process, and a very nice $0
price for home users - although business users are expected to pay.
When it comes to anti-virus protection for any computer and operating system, one of the issues that users have had to face is the performance penalty it imposes, while the other issue for Mac users is the software’s actual relevance.
While antivirus may not have been necessary in the past, and some will argue is still not necessary today, the appearance of Mac malware can’t be ignored, nor can the worry of passing Windows viruses on to other users.
Mac malware is the bigger issue for Mac users, which can hijack DNS settings at the very least, and because of the Mac’s ever growing popularity, the platform is one that more online criminals are targeting.
Thus the appearance of a free, light-weight, real time protective antivirus tool for Mac owners should be of great interest to any concerned Mac user, and PC Tools’ iAntiVirus version 1.0 is filling that gap.
Simon Clausen, the Vice President of PC Tools said: “While the Mac has a solid reputation for remaining relatively threat-free, the Mac community has been very receptive to the BETA launch of iAntiVirus with over 250,000 downloads from the iAntiVirus website.
"iAntiVirus is also the #1 Antivirus download for Mac OS on Download.com, the world’s largest download site, and was recently listed as a “top download” on the Apple website.
“We are confident that the Mac community has been responsive because uniquely, iAntiVirus is a dedicated Mac-only solution that does not contain unnecessary information about Windows-based threats, keeping the memory footprint and system impact to an absolute minimum.
“iAntiVirus is also designed with an interface that is familiar, simple and functional, making it easy for users to scan, remove and manage infections and threats”, said Clausen.
So, what kind of Mac malware does iAntiVirus deal with? PC Tools says iAntiVirus “detects and removes viruses, spyware, keyloggers, Trojans and in particular socially engineered threats which, for example, can propagate without user awareness through instant messenger and P2P file sharing applications.”
Please read on to page 2 for more of the “key features”, the details behind the 1.0/1.3 issue and the download location to get your free copy of iAntiVirus…
