A little over a week ago, Apple posted an update to a previously published support document which recommends the use of virus protection for Mac OS X. This document updates a previously published Apple support document which recommended virus protection. It was published in June 2007.

What’s interesting (but certainly not surprising) is the incredible sound of hyperventilation being generated by PC tech writers proclaiming the revelation that Apple Computer has finally (FINALLY!) admitted that Mac OS X is not immune to malware. Some of these pundits have even gone so far as to gleefully claim OS X is as unsecure as Windows. Wow! Does misery crave company or what!

Case in point is a CNET article published yesterday addressing the topic with the opening line of “In what appears to be a first, Apple is recommending that Mac users install antivirus software.”

Really? Just out of the blue? A first? What about the June 2007 support document? If the CNET so called “Tech Writer” would have done just a bit of research…..

I do not run nor do I recommend virus protection for OS X. If you wish to purchase and run it, Apple offers a few choices in the support document. I have attached both the latest document and the original from 2007 for your viewing pleasure:

UPDATE: Apple has since removed this Support Document from its website

—————-

Updated Support Document:

Mac OS: Antivirus utilities

Last Modified: November 21, 2008
Article: HT2550
Old Article: 4454

Summary
Learn about antivirus utilities available for the Mac OS.

Products Affected
Consumer Software, Mac OS

Apple encourages the widespread use of multiple antivirus utilities so that virus programmers have more than one application to circumvent, thus making the whole virus writing process more difficult. Here are some available antivirus utilities:

Intego VirusBarrier X5, available from the Apple Online Store
License: commercial

Symantec Norton Anti-Virus 11 for Macintosh, available from the Apple Online Store
License: commercial

McAfee VirusScan for Mac
License: commercial

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

——————

Original Support Document:

Mac OS: Antivirus Utilities

Last Modified on: June 08, 2007
Article: 4454

This article describes the antivirus utilities that are available for the Mac OS.

Apple encourages the widespread use of multiple antivirus utilities so that virus programmers have more than one program to circumvent, thus making the whole virus writing process more difficult. Here are some of the available antivirus utilities:

Intego VirusBarrier X4
Publisher: Intego
License: commercial

Norton Anti-Virus for Macintosh (formerly SAM)
Publisher: Symantec
License: commercial

Virex
Publisher: McAfee
License: commercial

This article provides information about a non-Apple product. Apple, Inc. is not responsible for its content. Please contact the vendor for additional information.