Do Macs need to run anti-virus software to detect Windows viruses that could be undetected on them and not affecting anything? Is there a possibility of passing Windows viruses from a Mac sharing a network, thumb drives, or email?
2007-01-06 14:58:29 · 6 answers · asked by SJM620 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
a mac can't be affected but can be infected. if you are running windows on the same machine and share directories... the files can be infected. they won't affect the mac os x system but will remain there for the next time anyone runs windows are infects that copy of windows.
You can have a virus on a thumb drive, but it can't infect the mac os.
You need antivrus & antispyware for the windows side.
2007-01-06 16:14:57 · answer #1 · answered by jake cigar™ is retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mac systems cannot have a windows virus. The possibilty of having awindows virus and spreading it though via a network to a windows machine is possible. You can have a virus on your mac from an attachment or whatever and send it to someone else. But there are very few viruses out there for macs at this time. I do wonder if the introduction of the intel chip is now going to change that. I have a mac and have noticed that I am getting more pop ups then I ever did.
2007-01-06 15:02:52 · answer #2 · answered by logan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Macs do need anti-virus software.
While I don't know of any virus that attacks Macs via Windows machines -- it certainly is technically possible.
Networks - especially web pages, thumb drives, and email are just a few ways you can catch a virus -- regardless of your operating system.
Even though it's fairly rare for Macs to get infected with viruses, its always better be to safer than sorry!
Hope this helps!
2007-01-06 15:03:19 · answer #3 · answered by besimorhino 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apple utility (Mac) can purely paintings on Mac's. even nevertheless, MS homestead windows (a minimum of XP) can now paintings on Mac's, yet on condition that the Mac has an Intel Pentium chip in it. Dell isn't Apple/Mac suitable, so Tiger will probable no longer paintings on it. Vista isn't a achievable option for many computing device and Laptops. which is composed of a few Mac's. Vista won't completely paintings till you have the right hardware. inclusive of a WDDM authorized photos card with a minimum of 256 MB RAM (512 MB will run extra perfect), 2 GB RAM and a twin-middle processor. many people have been disillusioned that Vista isn't working properly with their modern structures, even nevertheless they meet the minimum standards, and Aero won't paintings in any respect. with out the above advancements, Vista works merely as though it rather is homestead windows XP, yet with much less useful factors.
2016-11-27 01:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
windows viruses cannot infect macs. the slaesguy at the apple store here said that you don't need anti-virus software for a mac, but it doesn't huirt to have it.
2007-01-06 15:01:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No with Macs you don't have to worry about that
2007-01-06 15:09:43 · answer #6 · answered by David P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋