Bad Bad Virus Barrier X5

I've just come from a site where Intego's VirusBarrier X5 was the sole cause of freezing a 10.6 Time Machine backup and the system with it EVERY TIME. Simply by turning off the Real-time scanning, the backups were able to proceed.

So - if you have upgraded, or about to start using Time Machine - I recommend ditching intego's virusbarrier X5 and getting the Sophos Anti-virus for mac Home edition for free - see my earlier post. I installed Sophos and lo and behold, it all works fine!

NB. Issues were found with 10.6.3 and updated 10.6.5

Mac Malware - It's Real! Beat it on the Mac with FREE SOPHOS

I thought it timely that I write about threats for the Mac. It's real - it's there and with the increasing uptake in the market share for Apple, and with cross-platform technologies on the web, things can start to get a little hairy for those not protected.
Guess what!?

SOPHOS, who have been very strong in the Enterprise market - have graciously released a home-based version for the Mac. And best of all - it's FREE!

FANTASTIC! Remember only for consumer use - no small businesses, no larger business machines. That's the rules. Play nicely and head to SOPHOS download site to get your copy.

Google Apps and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 - don't hold your breath!

Okay we're all thinking, "GREAT - OUTLOOK on the Mac, SURELY we'd be able to get to Google Apps with it using the same procerss in Premier paid accounts as the PCs do."

umm. sadly.. no.

Because Google uses ActiveSync to allow connection from a smartphone to access their services it's very specific to smartphones. On the PCs, they use another connector to get Outlook into Google's services.

There is no current ETA for a connector for the Mac to goto Google Apps.

IMAP supposedly on the original Outlook 2011 release is still a little lacking, and syncing contacts from Outlook 2011 into Google.. we are waiting for a sync from outlook to addressbook. Then, from there you can sync addressbook into a google account.

So.. Why bother at all with Google Apps and the Mac? Personally I use Apple's Mail/iCal for my IMAP and calendaring. Contacts (I could sync via addressbook), but see no need as I have MobileMe running syncing for the phone (for contacts).

So - are you hanging out for Microsoft and Google to simplify your world?

F10 to Restore .. but what will it destroy?

I was at a client's home today and they proceeded to tell me that they had restored their ACER PC by pressing F10 and following the prompts. I was surprised! Most home users don't get that far (not those who I meet anyway). What surprised me after this, was the brief discussion about how the Support Consultant for ACER failed to tell them that they would be losing all data. Now, the procedure might have mentioned it as well, but once that far, it's a daunting process to think that you might have wrecked it if you bail now.

Well, the client told me they didn't have many files and stuff on there and it wasn't too great a loss, NOW... but the story unfolded to tell me of how they took their machine in a few years ago to a computer repairs shop to get fixed. The machine came back wiped and data lost. That then was a REAL TRAGEDY as financial data etc was gone. I guess you are wondering like I was, "What about the courtesy phone call to ask if the data was backed up?", or "Do you need it backed up before we wipe it?". Even for a fee, at least this would be more communicative than the former, poorer option.

At the end of the day. I guess the old adage of "You're responsible for your own data" is true.. so please.. have a thought about your backup plan.. It's much cheaper than the alternatives. And the time... oh the time...