[Millydogz]

Is it possible for macs to get spyware? If so, how can I get rid of it?

[JBeaucaire]

When you get infected... and it sounds like you know you will... come back here and post some specifics.

[vingogly]

Anything is possible, but there is very little malware out there for the Mac for several reasons. Every once in a while, you'll see something in the news about how any day now there will be an increase in malware for the Mac... almost all of these news releases come from one of the vendors of anti-malware software (asking them about your need for anti-malware software is like asking a car salesman if you need a new car :)).

Personally, I've been a software professional for 30+ years and a Mac user since 1985... I don't have anti-spyware software on my Mac and I don't lose any sleep at night over it. But if you would feel safer having anti-spyware software on your Mac, I suggest looking at MacScan. And if you want to monitor the data that's being sent from your Mac, you might get Little Snitch (but it requires some technical expertise to use it).

[ScottGem]

Yes its possible for MACs to get malware. The primary reason why MACs have remained pretty much free of attacks has been that they represent such a small portion of the market. The last stats I remember seeing show MACs with about 12% of the market. So why would hackers waste their energies when there is a much bigger (and relatively easier) target. This is close to the same reason why Linux has remained pretty malware free.

[vingogly]

The other reason why developing malware for Macs is less cost-effective for the hacker is, you have to deliberately agree to install the malware on your Mac and it will ask you for your admin password. This is how Unix works (and Mac OS X is built on top of Unix). There's no easy way for something to sneak onto your system without your knowing about it. Why go through the hassles of socially engineering malware for the Mac when that 88% is just waiting out there to be exploited? :)