"Quickly" is a comparative term... what would you use for your reference?

Microsoft would be a good reference point. Or any of the big anti-virus firms. The one that we used to use at work (F-Secure) typically took about 12 hours maximum to publish a data fix for a new piece of malware - we used to update the central definition file from them every two hours.

Still not quick enough - I've seen new malware reach our systems before the definitions were updated, but other more generic features of the software were sufficient to block them.

In reply to a post by AEP:

No I didn't. Your "actual security expert" did.

Read your own posts, muppet:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/mac/t/4005566-re-fa...

In reply to a post by billford:

"Quickly" is a comparative term... what would you use for your reference?

How about "by now" (patch out - will be picked up in next safe download check (or last one, depending on when yours runs).

Seems quick enough to me, though some may beg to differ.

Any idea how can you check when/whether an update has been collected? Software update shows nothing, and I can't see anything in the system log.

Nothing obvious. I think Apple's policy is to be non-drama-queeny about it.

A process called xProtect runs and phones Apple Towers, but the only reason I know is Little Snitch alerting me. If the check box is checked, it is automatic. Basically, as long as you are on the Net you will be up-to-date within 24 hours max.

After a bit I will just tell LS to let it through, but I like to watch stuff for a few iterations before I do that (that approach also showed just how often Google s/w phones home!).

Thanks

I found an entry for xProtect in the system log at just before 9am, but unfortunately it was an "Unable to connect" error- it had chosen to phone home whilst I was re-booting the router

Sod's Law rules...

I'll have another look tomorrow.

it had chosen to phone home whilst I was re-booting the router

Ha ha! Typical.

And this, if you wish to force an update:

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/06/03/force-your-mac-to-upd...

(As far as I can see, a simple uncheck and re-check forces it.)

Mine says it last updated at 00:13:07 GMT today, and it's at version 3.