In Mac OS and Mac OS X, how can I protect myself from viruses?

Several freeware and shareware virus protection utilities are available for Mac OS and Mac OS X, but commercial programs generally offer better protection. They can detect and eliminate all known forms of viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. The two most popular titles are Symantec's Norton AntiVirus (NAV) and Virex.

Note: The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you run the latest version of Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software (available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free via IUware) for your operating system, being sure to upgrade safely (see In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?), and that you update your virus definitions daily and scan your computer weekly. For instructions, see:

• Windows: In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
• Mac OS and OS X: In Symantec AntiVirus for Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?

For product information about NAV for the Mac, visit the Symantec web site.

For information about Virex, visit the McAfee web site.

Also see:

• What are computer viruses, and where can I find more information?
• In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus, how do I check the version number of the program and the age of the virus pattern update?
• What should I do if my computer has a virus?