In general, Mac users should be kept up-to-date on security fixes for all of the listed primary items above. Applying fixes will be automatic in the case of a program like Google Chrome while the Adobe Shockwave product will inform you of updates so long as you are connected to the Internet.
Security vulnerabilities can reach in to Mac email applications as well to where you have what are known as botnets putting out spam email messages using your Mac. That is why you want an antivirus program that is robust and will provide you with security monitoring for emails as well as your hard disk and web site usage. Along with that, it is important to stay current on the latest Mac OS X fixes that apply to your operating system. Checking with Apple's website to ensure your current with security fixes is a good way to confirm the facts. There are also web blogs particular to Mac users that will indicate the latest Mac security software issues and fixes for widely-used products such as Safari.
Antivirus programs are plentiful for the latest Mac OS X versions in use. It becomes harder to find support for antivirus software on older Mac OS X versions. Be aware of end-of-life software so that you are not caught short when it comes to security. The latest trojan horse viruses that are attacking Mac users are also a good thing to be aware of even if you have solid antivirus program software.
Computer security is a big issue and is constantly playing catch up to those who exploit operating systems flaws, browser code weaknesses, and application program security flaws. Security flaws also exist in such ancillary programs the Mac uses such as Java. Java is used heavily for web-based communications and applications. Exploitations of Java can lead to corruption of your local system hard disk and data files.
To avoid suffering the maladies of a compromised Mac computer system, always stay on top of the latest Mac security software fixes and visit trusted web sites while quickly aborting any unfamiliar web site to you that you were referred to or found wherein you see a lot of pop up advertising and free software checks of your Mac hard disk or statements about your Mac may be infected.
For those Mac users that also run a Windows volume or partition, it is wise to have an equally running antivirus program on the Windows side. There are viruses that will go between both the Windows and Mac sides of your Mac computer. In fact, MS Office products that use visual basic along with macro commands are notorious for impacts from malware and trojans.
The use of a robust antivirus program that will monitor both your Windows and Mac volumes, folders and files is that way to go.
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