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Once upon a time, computer users could choose to run the Mac OS and be relatively confident that their equipment and data would be safe and sound. Times, however, are changing, forcing Macintosh computer users to pay more attention to the growing problems of viruses, ID theft and other intrusions such as adware and spyware.
Macintosh users now have to rethink the popular view that the Mac OS poses few, if any, security worries. The more prominent use of shared files and Web surfing presents hackers with new opportunities to put the Mac OS in their crosshairs.
"We've already seen several security threats and viruses appear in Linux and Mac OS solely as a function of their gains in market share," Patrick Gray, president of Prevoyance Group, told MacNewsWorld. "There are enough Linux and Mac computers running that it is now worth a virus writer or cracker's time to attack these systems."
Cross-Platform Chaos
Gray is not alone in worrying about the potential for greater security risks to the Mac OS. Cross-platform applications could expose the Mac OS to attempted intrusions, Patrick Hinojosa, CTO at CyberDefender, told MacNewsWorld."We have seen an increase in attacks on cross-platform applications in the last 18 months. If attackers can find a popular cross platform, then it could be a threat," said Hinojosa, formerly security chief at Panda Software.
However, even where an application such as Office on the Mac and Windows platforms is a common exchange point, attackers still have existing OS issues to deal 
with, he added. Still, he sees that as a distinct possibility.
The appearance of more security products for the Mac platform is a sign that the threat is now more prominent. With these new security concerns in mind, MacNewsWorld scouted out available products to address potential security issues for Macintosh users.
Apple Lockdown
SecureMac.com offers Mac users a bit more security than just a virus-scanning product for US$24.95. MacScan detects, isolates and removes spyware, keystroke loggers and Trojan horses.
MacScan also removes and alerts users to the presence of remote administration applications that were maliciously or inadvertently installed. This feature adds a missing link to the typical offering of Mac security software.
A key new feature of version 2.3 is a blacklist that scans Web browsers for known tracking cookies. If found, MacScan removes them. This prevents saved usernames and passwords from being mined by remote locations.
McAfee Consumer and SMB Hardy
Consumers and small business users alike can select McAfee VirusScan for another choice in securing their Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) computers. This product is designed for the OS X platform.
McAfee prices VirusScan based on the number of computers connected to a network. Consumers with a home network can purchase VirusScan for one to five computers for $36.55 per license.
VirusScan delivers comprehensive, non-intrusive, anti-virus protection against viruses, worms, Trojans and other malicious code. Unlike other options, VirusScan has a smaller range of features.
It runs Apple's familiar Mac OS X Aqua user interface and offers a drag-and-drop feature for on-demand scanning.
Symantec Choices
Norton Internet Security 3.0 for Macintosh, $69.95, is a security suite that mimics the product available for Windows users. It bundles antivirus and antimalware detection with the Norton Personal Firewall and the Norton Privacy Control.
This product addresses cross-platform concerns by detecting both Windows and Mac viruses. It prevents a virus from accessing the computer by scanning downloads, e-mail attachments, file transfers and other incoming files.
The Personal Firewall component helps users harden their Mac against intrusion. It provides a stealth mode to mask the computer's IP address on the Internet. It also detects all working Internet services on the Mac and turns them off until the user intentionally activates a particular service, port number or IP address.
The Privacy Control component blocks JavaScript pop-ups and other types of Web ads. In addition, it blocks access to or release of personal information during instant messaging sessions.
A companion component, Norton Parental Control, blocks unsuitable Web sites from children using the computer. Parents can use the prepared list of objectionable sites or create their own. An additional feature lets parents block or unblock specific categories within Symantec's (Nasdaq: SYMC) blacklist.
Both the Privacy Control and the Parental Control components only run on the Mac OS X system.
Suiteless Security
Norton AntiVirus 10.0 for Macintosh, $49.95, provides some of the same security protection as the Internet suite. It protects Mac computers from viruses (including macro viruses), spyware and certain types of Internet worms. This product also protects e-mail and instant messages from becoming accesses points for attacks.
AntiVirus 10.0 also protects users against PC viruses to prevent their spreading to PC users when files are exchanged directly or via mass storage.
Other new features include a Global Threat Assessment Dashboard widget and the placement of scan controls in Mac OS X contextual menus. Also, Smart Volume Scanning eliminates redundant scanning of media already verified as being virus-free.
Version 10.0 is compatible with Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger.
Mac Confidence
Norton Confidential for Macintosh is ideal for users with specific concerns about ID theft while banking, shopping or surfing online. For $49, Norton Confidential protects private information from theft and prevents unauthorized access to private files.
What distinguishes Norton Confidential from other ID safeguard products is the level of user control available. Users can allow or deny access to specific information by particular Mac service, port number or IP address.
Other impressive features are the ability to download files via FTP without having to turn off the firewall and easy access to viewing activity logs. Being able to see recent access attempts allows users to modify their online behavior on specific Web sites to reduce vulnerability.
Barrier Plus
Intego Security Products' VirusBarrier X4 is a non-intrusive antivirus security solution for Macintosh computers running Mac OS 8, 9 and X.
In addition to the automatic and manual virus scanning features typical of other products, VirusBarrier X4, $69.95, offers a zone users can specify for storing secured files. The program will automatically check for viruses any file that undergoes any changes.
Users can also set an unsecured zone to store archived and other unused files once they have been verified as virus free.
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