I Thought Macs Were "Virus-Proof"?

• Although not as subject to viruses and malware as PCs, Macs are still subject to some types of malware. Although executable files -- files whose names commonly end in .exe -- won't work on a Mac, your computer can still pass them along to other computers. And, if you pass an .exe file along to a friend or business associate who has a PC, you are still part of the process. Some simple preparation can prevent that from happening.
  
  

The Best Defense Is a Good Offense

• The best protection from malware -- software designed to harm your computer or a computer you pass it along to -- is through Apple directly. Apple provides a "Software Update" option in your Apple menu, making sure you keep your computer current with the updates they release.
  
  In addition to software updates, Apple computers will warn you when you are downloading potentially harmful files from the Internet. When you open any application file downloaded from the Internet, your computer will prompt you that the file you are opening was downloaded from the Internet, and ask you if you would like to continue to open it.
  
  

Third-Party Anti-Virus Tools

• In addition to the many, many security features built in to your Apple computer, there are others available through third-party companies. There are anti-virus packages/suites from Symantec, McAfee, Kaspersky and Bit Defender. They will make sure you're not passing along a virus to another PC and protect you from one if a Mac virus should ever make it into the wild. On the whole, though, you're better off investing in anti-phishing tools for your browser.
  
  

Gone Phishing

• With the rise in Internet use world-wide, there has been a rise in crimes on the Internet as well. One common Internet crime is known as "phishing." Dictionary.com defines phishing as "the practice of using fraudulent e-mails and copies of legitimate websites to extract financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft." Apple has updated their Safari browser to protect against these acts, but an even safer web browser would be Mozilla Firefox. As long as you continue to make sure the programs are updated, your Mac will stay safe.