Mac Antivirus software and Pro Tools?

[gthm]

Does anyone use antivirus software on their Mac? Throughout the years I've heard it is not recommended, I know, but my latest obsession is that I need antivirus software.

Can I run antivirus software (Sophos or Avast) on my 2014 iMac (macOS High Sierra) and maybe disable it when I want to open Pro Tools? Or it doesn't work like that?

Please let me know!

Thanks_

[gthm]

Hey guys,

No Mac users are worried about potential viruses?

[Darryl Ramm]

No. You are wasting your time.

[gthm]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

No. You are wasting your time.

That's a relief to hear actually! Thanks Darryl!

My Earthlink.net email (have had this for 15 years almost) was hacked so i was afraid my Mac had been infected or something. Apparently Earthlink's accounts are frequently hacked. First time for me though.

Should I worry my Mac has been compromised further than just the hacker knowing my email password?

I changed my password already and will be getting a Gmail account instead.

[Darryl Ramm]

Your EarthLink.net email had the same password as your Mac user, or worse as an administrator account?

You clicked on attachments or unsafe links in hacked email?

You disclosed Mac passwords in plain text email?

If not we’ll then bad things should not happen... and those bad things if you did them all fall into dumb wetware problems, AV software will typically not really help protect you there. Or not worth the hassle.

AV software also does not protect you from zero day exploits.

Things you should do...

Be careful what you and other users do. Downloads, installing apps etc. phishing email, etc.
Use a password manager, and use unique, crypto secure, passwords everywhere.
Use a firewall or air gap the computer
Make a rotating set of bootable backups
Get email and other productivity apps off critical DAW computers
Use gmail for its really great anti-spam, anti-malware security features (like you are going to).
Keep the macOS software updated (which yes conflicts with keeping it stable for Pro Tools).
If a Pro Studio, control who connects what and how content gets in/off the computer.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by gthm

Hey guys,

No Mac users are worried about potential viruses?

I've been using ClamXAV for some time now and it's not been a problem. It's not free but it's quite good and stays out of the way of PT or any other daw you run. Nice thing with the current V3 engine is you can scan all your drives at one time.

Do note that I'm not a huge fan of having my daw online but there are times I have to. I have a separate Mac for email, web surfing and Photoshop work but there's no harm in doing that on your daw computer as long as you don't do stupid stuff.