Mac security

[Nilfennasion]

This is only tangentially related to video, but important so I figure I would ask here because this is the most familiar forum to me.

At the moment, I am connected to a network that is in turn connected to the Internet through an IBuM PC. Now, I am told the risk of viruses that can trouble my Mac is much less than is the case for my IBuM stuff, but the owner of the computer that the Internet is directly connected to is not even remotely cautious with his browsing or downloading habits. If one can find crappy videos, software that he likely will never even use, or ISO images that often turn out to not be what is described, he will download it.

The key question is how I secure my Mac from the rest of the network. Is antivirus software sufficient? My demos for antivirus are running out, so I am trying to discern which is the best to expend my money on, anyway. But do I need extra products like firewall software? I used to have an Anti-virus/Firewall combo on my IBuM years ago that worked like a charm, but the standards its makers (McAfee) follow have fallen sharply since then.

Some hints would be very appreciated at this point.

[rumplestiltskin]

You are much more likely to have your connection to the Internet ruined when your IBM'ing router, so to speak, gets hammered and starts spewing forth packets of spam or DOS attacks or whatever.

Assuming that doesn't happen for a while, then consider connecting a router between you and the rest of your network. At least that will isolate you from much of whatever is coming down the pike from that IBM.

As for anti-virus, why not install ClamXav? Even though it's not the fastest, it's free and you may have it check everything -you- download (as well as your eMail and attachments). Your Mac's built-in Firewall is fine; just turn it on in your System Prefs.

You might also try iAntiVirus from PCTools. It's also free but only checks for Mac malware (whereas ClamXav checks for PC malware, as well - that's one reason why it's a bit slower to check things).

Let us know if this helps.

[pixel zombie]

try this for starters:
http://www.macgeekery.com/tips/security/basic_mac_os_x_security

[thevoelk]

This is what we use at work, it may be a little overboard for you:

http://www.nsa.gov/notices/notic00004.cfm?Address=/snac/os/applemac/I731-006R-2007.pdf

Even though it's for Tiger, much of it still applies to Leopard. A Leopard version should be out soon.

[pianoman1976]

The connection to the internet is the only thing that may get funny. There is no way within reason that malware and malicciousness will infect you from the PC that's on your network. You're no more connected to this PC than you are to every other PC out there on the Internet.

Mac's speak a different language. There's nothing to worry about. You can check out the AV products mentioned here, yet you're no more likely that these programs will find malware in your Mac just because there is a PC on your network.