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"Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
#33940 04/23/15 01:30 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
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This site has a good feel to it. Am wondering if any here are using the software. A license to use it is free. Must be renewed (also free) after one year.

https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-mac-security

To install it, any other anti-virus software (e.g. ClamXav) must first be completely uninstalled.

Last edited by dianne; 04/24/15 11:06 AM. Reason: Moved from "Networking" to the "Mac OS X Applications" forum.
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
HappyDog #33942 04/23/15 01:47 AM
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I've never found it either necessary or otherwise desirable to install anti-virus software, so I can't comment on this or any other app, but the first two posts here, even without regard for some of those farther down the page, would be deal-breakers for me if I were looking.

Last edited by artie505; 04/23/15 02:14 AM. Reason: Expand

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Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
HappyDog #33944 04/23/15 07:30 AM
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Originally Posted By: HappyDog
To install it, any other anti-virus software (e.g. ClamXav) must first be completely uninstalled.

That requirement would certainly give me pause. Suspicious and unnerving.

Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
HappyDog #33945 04/23/15 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted By: HappyDog
To install it, any other anti-virus software (e.g. ClamXav) must first be completely uninstalled.

Originally Posted By: artie505
I've never found it either necessary or otherwise desirable to install anti-virus software....

Originally Posted By: artie505
....the first two posts here, even without regard for some of those farther down the page, would be deal-breakers for me...

So, here's my experience. Except for ClamXav I have never left any virus checker installed. I've found they affect the performance of my machine by slowing it down. Sophos was the most serious offender.

I have used Avast, and it was quite simple, although I did not uninstall ClamXav and it was broken afterward. I definitely would not have used Avast if I had been aware of the data mining aspect.

Except for ClamXav, I have got into the habit of only using a virus checker periodically, perhaps once a year. When I do, I install the software, do a complete scan, and then uninstall. However, It has always been a fruitless exercise as the machine is always clean.

So, I'm coming around to Artie's way of thinking and may simply stop altogether. Well, may not altogether....I'll likely always keep ClamXav. And that may only be because I'm a notorious cheapskate and, having contributed to ClamXav more than once, I'm just getting my money's worth. blush

Last edited by ryck; 04/23/15 08:42 AM.

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Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
grelber #33946 04/23/15 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted By: grelber
Originally Posted By: HappyDog
To install it, any other anti-virus software (e.g. ClamXav) must first be completely uninstalled.

That requirement would certainly give me pause. Suspicious and unnerving.


I thought ClamAV was running in the background on a base OS X installation?


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
Virtual1 #33948 04/23/15 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: Virtual1
I thought ClamAV was running in the background on a base OS X installation?

If that query is directed at me, I wouldn't have a clue. I was merely responding to OP's comment.

Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
grelber #33949 04/23/15 02:41 PM
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it was on the mac awhile ago, but it had been somewhat depreciated and it looks like it's been completely removed (as I look for it in 10.9)

I guess Apple figured gatekeeper was adequate?


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
Virtual1 #33950 04/23/15 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted By: Virtual1
it was on the mac awhile ago, but it had been somewhat depreciated and it looks like it's been completely removed (as I look for it in 10.9)
I guess Apple figured gatekeeper was adequate?

Now I have zero clue as to what's going on. confused It certainly doesn't have anything to do with me.

Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
Virtual1 #33958 04/23/15 08:07 PM
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I've never been aware of anti-virus having been included with any version of OS X. (EasyFind doesn't find any reference to ClamXav in 10.6.8.)


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
artie505 #33978 04/24/15 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted By: artie505
I've never been aware of anti-virus having been included with any version of OS X. (EasyFind doesn't find any reference to ClamXav in 10.6.8.)


I distinctly remember seeing "freshclam" somewhere in osx in the past.


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
Virtual1 #33982 04/24/15 02:08 PM
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A Google search turns up lots of "freshclam" hits, and a cursory look suggests that it relates to ClamAV. (Example: man page freshclam section 1)


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: "Avast" Anti-Virus Software for Mac
artie505 #33989 04/24/15 06:11 PM
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yep I thought freshclam was the definitions auto updater or something. it's possible that got installed by something else on my systems at one time or another, but I was thinking it was stock for a time. One of those "not fully implemented features" of earlier OS X, where had there been an actual virus show up, a minor security update could have activated it. but that never turned out to be necessary.


I work for the Department of Redundancy Department

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