Antivirus program that can be run portably.

[Remedial]

Okay, so I have an Imac (10.6.8)that I use for work purposes (graphic design, music production) and, as I'm sure we all set out to do at first, I've tried to not connect it to the internet in any way, but, recently I've broken that cardinal rule.

Now, I'm looking for an antivirus solution that I can run from time to time just to make sure I haven't picked up any detritus from my sparse net browsing.

But, I don't want to install something that is going to be running in the background eating up resources when I need them most. So, ideally, I'd just like something akin to the portable version of Firefox, VLC, etc.. where I can run it off of a flash drive when I feel the need to.

I've used ClamXAV in the past on my older Macs and it worked fine for me but, from my research, they don't offer a portable option.

Or, maybe there's some way of doing this without having to particularly get a "portable" version of the app, persay.

Not too well versed in this area, so, any suggestions would be great.

Thanks.

[DeltaMac]

My opinion is: your occasional connection to the internet, with "sparse net browsing" doesn't likely put you in harm's way.
Do you download files, from a large variety of different sites? Don't allow those downloads to automatically open and run.
In Safari, that's unchecking a setting for "Open "safe" files after downloading"
In the Security settings for Safari, you can prevent the use of Java and Javascript.
That's just a couple of tips that can help, at least on the surface.
Oh, and don't download files from sites that you don't trust. For example, your music production software may have updates, or additions for your software, which you should normally expect will be "safe"

Here's how I use antivirus software:
Once or twice a year, I install one of the AV apps, such as ClamXav, OR - I like Sophos for Mac (it's free!), and run a full scan, which may take several hours. Assuming it finds little to be concerned about, I then uninstall that (until a few months later)
Like you, I also am concerned about some app that is always in the background, taking resources, when that process still has little real benefit, except to make you feel better.
Your idea about a "portable" antivirus app does not have much value, I think.
The reason is, that any antivirus app is frequently updated, at least once per month with major items, and perhaps daily for virus definition updates (likely the most important part). That's why I would say that whatever AV app you choose should be fully installed, and check for updates for that app before you run your full scan.
Here's the ones that I rotate through every couple of years.
ClamXav
Sophos for Mac
Avast for Mac

I've tried some others, but I like those 3.
I haven't seen any that don't noticeably affect performance if left to scan
So, I scan, then remove that software completely - It's just "how I roll" - and others here may have other methods.

[Hamo]

Intego VirusBarrier Express and BitDefender Virus Scanner are both free in Mac App Store and don't use any resources when not active. They don't do background scanning so they don't use any resources. To do a scan you need to specifically run the app and choose to do a scan. Not sure if they could be run from a USB stick, but they are fairly lightweight and don't install junk all over the system (they just store virus definition files in ~/Library)

[DeltaMac]

I know that Bitdefender installs files in both Launch Agents, and Launch Daemons folders, and I think the default is for full time scanning (which you can turn off), so I don't know why you think that it doesn't use any resources (It's one that I have tried a few months back) I don't know about the Intego software.

[Hamo]

Quote: Originally Posted by DeltaMac I know that Bitdefender installs files in both Launch Agents, and Launch Daemons folders, and I think the default is for full time scanning (which you can turn off), so I don't know why you think that it doesn't use any resources (It's one that I have tried a few months back) I don't know about the Intego software.

Perhaps that was the full version of BitDefender? I don't see any LaunchAgents/Daemons for the free App Store version.

[DeltaMac]

Ah (egg on my face), you are correct (again!)
I have Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac (a $50 product that you can try out for 30 days), and not the free Bitdefender Virus Scanner, which is as you say. Now you can see how easy it is to confuse me!

[Hamo]

The Bitdefender product names are confusingly similar.

[anthlover]

Agree with Delta. No need to have all the time. Up to each person. Apple has removed from standard installs two large cross platform vectors Java and Flash. I Have to have them for work. Human gullibility is the largest culprit for things happening.

Keeping your system up to date and common sense is your best defense. There is not really anything in the wild.

Another topic of conversation would be firewalls and what level of vulnerability (non viral) exists sitting behind a standard router from various vendors.

* You might want to upgrade to ML if your hardware and software supports it.

[benwiggy]

Don't forget that OS X does include a "black list" of known trojans and other malware, which Apple updates from time to time. Software on that list list cannot be run without flagging up a large warning.