[Sergio]

Just bought my kid a Mac. Are there any anti-virus/spyware/malware programs out there that I should load to keep the new Mac safe?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[D-fendr]

Short answer: none that do more good than harm.

Use the internal firewall (external firewall is always a good idea too).

Use strong password for your admin account. If possible, have other users run not at full admin. (If it’s a teens machine, this may not be feasible).

Here’s some basic measures to take for security:
http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/unlock_truth_about_mac_security_risks?page=0%2C2

If they practice safe computing they’ll be safe.

[Swordmaker]

Re: anti-virus/malware

Currently there are no self-replicating, self-transmitting, self-installing viruses for Mac OS X. There is also no Adware or Spyware save for about twelve Trojans. However, ClamXav is a free OS X anti-virus that will identify WINDOWS viruses that you might inadvertently pass on in email or files you might share. I do not run any AV at all. I haven’t for more than eight years. Neither does Charlie Miller, the guy who just won the CANSECWEST hacking contest by hacking into a Mac. As of now, it just isn’t necessary.