So I just got a Macbook that I'll be taking to college with me next year. My dad keeps asking me to get whatever virus protection I need for it, but I didn't think that macs needed any. Does anyone know of any virus protection/spyware blocker/firewall that I need to get for my mac?

I use Sygate Personal Firewall, only because I don't have the money to buy the whole Norton protection, but it works and it keeps the nasty stuff out. For virus I would say Norton if you want good protection, but it costs a lot of money.

I've heard that Mac already has a pretty decent firewall built in..

Norton AntiVirus is available for OS X.
I'm pretty sure there was ZoneAlarm for Mac, but I can't find it.. If you can find ZoneAlarm, get it because it's supposed to be one of the best.

I have had a powerbook g4 for about a year now and have never used an type of anti virus system for it. Macs are made to not get them. I would just suggest making sure you don't change your settings to something that allows people to download files from your computer and vice verse with an open network. Other than that it should be all good.

^Truth.

Also, I hate norton/mcaffee/zone alarm. Norton and McAffee are way too annoying and try to shove their own popups down your throat, and Zone Alarm restricts too much stuff and you end up having to go into it and tell it specifically what programs to allow.

virus protection makes your computer run slower. i've only had my macbook for about three weeks, but i haven't gotten anything. if you ran IE without protection for 10 minutes, you'd have half a dozen nasty things. most people use macs without protection. they really don't need it.

So I should just leave my settings as they were when I got it?

Yes

You don't need virus protection, but getting it wouldn't be absolutely pointless. That's mostly because Macs have virus protection built in.

If anything, check the apple site for further info.

ClamXav works rather fine and it's totally free.

I had the same doubt when I first was setting up my Macbook for work, and opted to get protection (if kind of minimal) mainly because I receive files from various sources on a daily basis, and I rather be safe than sorry in terms of computer security.

I guess it depends on the use you plan on giving to your computer, myself I move between 3 different networks and considered that owning an antivirus program was a necessity.

lol wut i thought macs don't get viruses

hahaa...

trust your dad and use the protection.

Why? It's a mac.

okay, trust the obnoxious actor from the "i'm a mac" ads.

Saying you don't need protection on a mac is like saying you don't need to use condoms because you only have sex once a year.

sure, it's less likely you'll get something with a mac. but if you do- you're still screwed.

anyway; i thought we were talking about trojans before. but still, same holds true for this situation.