Anti-Spyware for OSX?

DarkSorrow · #1 November 17th, 2006, 12:14 AM

um... is there a Anti-Spyware for OSX?

I am the admin but using a limited account just to be safe.

I just used the google search and a very few anti-spyware result show up but i dont trust them, one of them is Norton.... *shivers* no thanks for Norton.

Anyone know a free one? if there is a good shareware, then im willing to pay for it.

Viro · #2 November 17th, 2006, 12:58 AM

Have a look at MacScan. Personally, I'm much happier with a program like LittleSnitch that alerts me to any attempt by applications to "phone home". After all, spyware has got to communicate with home base right?

MisterMe · #3 November 17th, 2006, 08:01 AM

There is no spyware on the Mac.

Lt Major Burns · #4 November 17th, 2006, 08:35 AM

yet. and many programs phone home. it's not like virus's. Snapz Pro phones home when you register it, apparently. technically, that's spyware.

Tommo · #5 November 17th, 2006, 09:30 AM

As technically is the ITunes ministore function. Not all spyware is malicious, but it is spyware never the less.

MisterMe · #6 November 17th, 2006, 01:46 PM

From the MacOS X Dictionary

Quote:

spyware |?sp??we(?)r| noun software that self-installs on computers and tracks the user's Internet use, mainly for marketing purposes.

Neither Snapz Pro nor iTunes self-installs. Neither app calls home to report your Internet usage. You may find a more detailed definition on Dictionary.com. The bottomline is that phoning home in and of itself does not qualify an application or utility as spyware. If it phones home with the user's consent, its candidacy for spyware is disqualified. There is no spyware on the Mac.

wicky · #7 December 20th, 2006, 08:14 AM

I agree MrMe, it doesn't count as "actuall" spyware (in the Wintel sense), but you're arguing a point purely on semantics.

A number of applications make a covert connection, the deliberate nature of which could be considered as spying.

sndwav · #8 December 20th, 2006, 09:09 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong... in order for something to Spy on you, it should send out information regarding something that you didn't want it to send... like your internet usage or keystrokes.
If I registered a program, and it sends out the registration information - I don't think it qualifies as spyware.