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Migrate to a newer version of the Mac OS as soon as you can.įollow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be. Those bugs will probably never be fixed, because those older operating systems are no longer being maintained by Apple. This setting is mandatory in Mac OS X 10.5.8 or earlier, because Java in those versions has bugs that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. No intermediary is acceptable.ĭisable Java (not JavaScript) in your web browser(s). Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website.
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How do you know a source is untrustworthy? That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. All known malware that affects a fully-updated installation of Mac OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of trojans, which can only work if the victim is duped into running them. The most effective defense against malware is your own intelligence. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. Mac OS X versions 10.6.7 and later have built-in detection of known Mac malware in downloaded files.
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