It’s often said that viruses, and spyware in particular, aren’t an issue for Mac owners. While it certainly is true that there aren’t as many of these threats out there targeting the Mac platform as there are for Windows, this is changing as hackers learn more about the architecture of Mac OS X and, more importantly, as Mac becomes a more popular platform, making it more attractive to hackers of the mischievous, malicious and financially-motivated sorts alike.
In fact, spyware can already be a problem for Mac users, despite what you might have heard. Spyware comes in many different forms – not just malicious applications, but also certain types of exploits and even relatively simple tracking cookies.
So, how can you stop spyware? There are some simple steps that all users can take which will reduce their vulnerability to certain types of spyware. In order to keep away tracking cookies, which keep track of the websites you visit and report back to the operators of the site that give you the cookie, you can simply adjust the security settings in your browser.
In Safari, this is done by going to the Safari menu and choosing “Preferences,” then the “Security” tab, and then selecting “Never” under the “Accept Cookies” option. Other browsers will allow you to do this in a similar manner. If you do need to accept cookies in order to navigate certain websites, make sure to clear your browser cache regularly.
Of course, tracking cookies are generally less severe in the negative impact they can have on your computer and your privacy than more advanced types of spyware. The most effective way to protect against spyware in general is to use software that can detect and block spyware. There is one popular dedicated spyware available for Mac, and that’s MacScan from SecureMac. (read our review).
As you’d expect, MacScan does a good job of keeping spyware off your machine. Its definitions are updated regularly, meaning that you can stay on top of the latest spyware developments without having to worry about new threats slipping past your defences. MacScan is available from SecureMac for $30.00 US.
MacScan isn’t the only option for defending your Mac from spyware, though. Other security packages are available, and these tend to be much more comprehensive and deal with threats apart from just spyware. In the end, you may find that some of these applications represent a better value, as it’s worth being aware of the danger of viruses and other malware on Mac as well.
Norton Internet Security for Mac (read our review) is the premium Mac security software package, at a price of $79.99 US. VirusBarrier X6 (read our review) is another strong option, which is available exclusively for Mac. These programs tackle spyware as well as viruses, malware, phishing, and more, and they do it in an efficient an unobtrusive manner.
There are free security programs available for Mac as well. The potential damage that can be caused by spyware and other malicious software, and the growing threat that these files pose, mean that it’s a necessity to be prepared to defend against them.
Related posts:
- MacScan Review: Anti-Spyware Software for Mac OS X
- iAntiVirus vs. MacScan: Mac Security Software Comparison
- Two-Year-Old Safari Vulnerability Still Unpatched
- MacScan vs VirusBarrier x6: Mac Security Software Comparison
- Remove BlazingTools Perfect Keylogger (Mac) – BlazingTools Removal Tool
