[Rumour] Snow Leopard Has Hidden Antivirus Talents

[Vice]

Well that just makes it a bad anti-virus not a non-anti virus. The fact that it checks against the library of viruses to make sure you didn't catch is the definition of anti-virus program. That's how Windows anti-virus programs work too. They check your files and archives to make sure you don't have a known virus but also include a smarter heuristic methods that help prevent from those viruses that are unknown. Of course, if you are infected on OSX I'm not sure what you are to do. Reinstall the OS?

If it doesn't check for or remove viruses you cannot call this an Anti-Virus. It is at most an Anti-Malware. Which is a seperate type of application.

[Boz]

If it doesn't check for or remove viruses you cannot call this an Anti-Virus. It is at most an Anti-Malware. Which is a seperate type of application.

Removal doesn't necessarily need to be included to be called an anti-virus. It only means that you are screwed if you get it. How is it not checking? It checks the contents of the file (archive) DMG and checks the code of the files to make sure you don't have the malicious code and then compares to their library and pops a warning that you are infected. That's called a check to me.

I'd like more explanation on differences between anti-virus and anti-malware. I'm pretty sure it's the same thing only malware is a broader term.

Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.^[1] The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

[Vice]

It only checks for 2 files. I could write an Apple Script to do the same exact thing, did I just make an Anti-Virus? By your definition, yes.

[tom5]

I'm totally surprised because Apple says there are no Mac viruses :)

[Boz]

It only checks for 2 files. I could write an Apple Script to do the same exact thing, did I just make an Anti-Virus? By your definition, yes.

Well what would you put in that script? and how would you identify that the code inside the DMG is indeed a virus. The fact that you have to write a code to check every file and then compare it to your active list of viruses that are already found is an anti-virus IMO. I don't know what else to call it. The fact that it's very basic doesn't change the fact that it will check every file inside and out to locate the malicious code.

[Vice]

Well what would you put in that script? and how would you identify that the code inside the DMG is indeed a virus. The fact that you have to write a code to check every file and then compare it to your active list of viruses that are already found is an anti-virus IMO. I don't know what else to call it. The fact that it's very basic doesn't change the fact that it will check every file inside and out to locate the malicious code.

Ok. By your definition its an anti-virus. I completely disagree.

[The Teej]

Hardly ironic. They're keeping true to their word by preventing any possible malware from reaching your computer in the first place. It's essentially a re-worded confirmation box for when you run a new program, but made more focused on preventing malware to stop people mindlessly clicking 'run' when the box pops up.

Umm, isn't that what Kapersky/McAfee/Symantec/Microsoft do already? They're keeping true to their by preventing any possible malware from reaching your computer, but people will still click that "Open" button anyway, so it's really just the same. It offers the same amount of protection, by relying on common sense.

Anyway, the blacklisting is a good idea to a degree, but only if it's kept up-to-date.

[KeeperOfThePizza]

Apple copying Microsoft? (and do correct me if I am wrong).

[The Teej]

Haha what

This isn't anybody copying anybody else really, notifications and blacklists like these have been going on since forever.

[Klownicle]

Mac gets a anti-virus and people fight about it. lmao.

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

so your comparing UAC that in Vista poped up everytime you run a program ( still pops up in 7 for me when i want to play a game ), or want to change a setting, to OSX that only pops up when something tried to access something that is locked ( user set ), or modify a system setting, and IN THIS CASE, flag's a virus/trojan

good comparison, their so alike

It is irony that Apple used to have one of the ads spreading lies about Vista's UAC. Now they are following the same boat, so pathetic.

[hagjohn]

Not sure I would call this an "anti-virus" it's more for trojans, from my understanding of the little info that is out there.

[bonch]

It is irony that Apple used to have one of the ads spreading lies about Vista's UAC. Now they are following the same boat, so pathetic.

This has absolutely nothing to do with UAC. You apparently don't know what irony is either. You sound like a very misinformed person.

Checking DMGs for a couple of trojans that were going around in pirated software is hardly any kind of antivirus software. We'll probably never hear about it again.

[BajiRav]

This has absolutely nothing to do with UAC. You apparently don't know what irony is either. You sound like a very misinformed person.

Checking DMGs for a couple of trojans that were going around in pirated software is hardly any kind of antivirus software. We'll probably never hear about it again.

And that is different from checking for a few thousand trojans, how?