Question ClamXAV

[simmerskool]

Every once in awhile I get the urge to install ClamXAV on my M4 mini. The urge passes when I consider Xprotect and other macOS security. Anyone using ClamXAV? I have used Malwarebytes real-time paid in the past but not my current mini. Do you use any AV on your macOS, if so which one, & what has been your experience.

 

[Trident]

I don’t think there’s any benefit of it.

 

[Divergent]

The "Typhoid Mary" Scenario

Macs are excellent carriers of Windows malware. You won't get infected, but you can pass a malicious .exe or macro-laden Word doc to a PC user. ClamAV excels at detecting these cross-platform signatures.

The "Second Opinion"

If you download a suspicious binary, ClamAV allows you to run a manual check (clamscan) against a different database than Apple's.

Cost Efficiency

It is free, open-source, and does not harvest your browsing data (unlike many "free" commercial AVs).

Do not install ClamAV if,

You are a casual user expecting a "set it and forget it" shield that sits in the menu bar.

You want protection against phishing URLs or web-based attacks (ClamAV does not do this).

Install ClamAV if,

You frequently share files with Windows/Linux users (email attachments, USB drives).

You run a home server/NAS on the Mac mini and want to automate scanning of incoming directories.

You are technically proficient and comfortable using the Terminal.

Use Case Score

Personal Protection: Low (Apple Native Security is superior).

Network Hygiene (Protecting others): High (Detects Windows/Linux malware).

Resource Impact: Null (M4 chip absorbs overhead easily).

 

[cartaphilus]

The "Typhoid Mary" Scenario

Macs are excellent carriers of Windows malware. You won't get infected, but you can pass a malicious .exe or macro-laden Word doc to a PC user. ClamAV excels at detecting these cross-platform signatures.

The "Second Opinion"

If you download a suspicious binary, ClamAV allows you to run a manual check (clamscan) against a different database than Apple's.

Cost Efficiency

It is free, open-source, and does not harvest your browsing data (unlike many "free" commercial AVs).

Do not install ClamAV if,

You are a casual user expecting a "set it and forget it" shield that sits in the menu bar.

You want protection against phishing URLs or web-based attacks (ClamAV does not do this).

Install ClamAV if,

You frequently share files with Windows/Linux users (email attachments, USB drives).

You run a home server/NAS on the Mac mini and want to automate scanning of incoming directories.

You are technically proficient and comfortable using the Terminal.

Use Case Score

Personal Protection: Low (Apple Native Security is superior).

Network Hygiene (Protecting others): High (Detects Windows/Linux malware).

Resource Impact: Null (M4 chip absorbs overhead easily).

Internet has ruined me!

After thinking long and hard I have came to a conclusion that with names like Typhoid Mary and "clamscan" I am indeed not mature enough to post my opinion about this antimalware solution.

on a more serious note: Are there any MAC solutions that are on demand and don't require to be ran in real-time? like KAV scanner etc?

That should be sufficient to set up a daemon and have your system perform a weekly on-demand scan.

 

[Trident]

Internet has ruined me!

After thinking long and hard I have came to a conclusion that with names like Typhoid Mary and "clamscan" I am indeed not mature enough to post my opinion about this antimalware solution.

on a more serious note: Are there any MAC solutions that are on demand and don't require to be ran in real-time? like KAV scanner etc?

That should be sufficient to set up a daemon and have your system perform a weekly on-demand scan.

What’s wrong with Apple’s own solution?
XProtect..?

 

[cartaphilus]

What’s wrong with Apple’s own solution?
XProtect..?

no idea I don't do apples it's too healthy.

I figured a second opinion scanner is always a good to have and if it takes 3 seashells to scan it so be it

 

[stonjean633]

Internet has ruined me!

After thinking long and hard I have came to a conclusion that with names like Typhoid Mary and "clamscan" I am indeed not mature enough to post my opinion about this antimalware solution.

on a more serious note: Are there any MAC solutions that are on demand and don't require to be ran in real-time? like KAV scanner etc?

That should be sufficient to set up a daemon and have your system perform a weekly on-demand scan.

Trend Micro Housecall is available on Mac as On Demand Scanner.

 

[simmerskool]

no idea I don't do apples it's too healthy.

I figured a second opinion scanner is always a good to have and if it takes 3 seashells to scan it so be it

fwiw an upper lever Apple tech told me if you must 3d-party AV, use Malwarebytes free for occasional scan, I do know mbam is / was very light with a scan under 10 seconds, but not (yet) installed on the newer M4 mini.