Windows Viruses Affect the Mac ?

[Macmadant]

Not literally, but my uncle runs XP Via Bootcamp, Yuck, everyone to their own i suppose, anyway, he uses it to ply games that aren't available for mac Half life 2 ect. i asked him if he had any antivirus software for XP, and he said no, so i went home thinking about this, if you get say a worm that wipes the HDD, for example, would this wipe the mac Partition as-well, or just the XP, if i didn't know any better i would say he taking a very foolish risk

READ THE ABOVE BEFORE GIVING ME A LECTURE ABOUT HOW MACS CAN"T GET VIRUSES, please

[risc]

Running Windows on any hardware (even if it is virtual like Parallels) without virus software is just plain retarded! How does the Apple logo on the front of a machine stop Windows viruses on WINDOWS?

Now I've got no comments to make about a virus destroying a HFS+ partition _BUT_ if you are taking the time to run Windows on a machine obviously your data is important and worth protecting.

Tell that man to install virsus software now. :D

[Macmadant]

Running Windows on any hardware (even if it is virtual like Parallels) without virus software is just plain retarded! How does the Apple logo on the front of a machine stop Windows viruses on WINDOWS?

Now I've got no comments to make about a virus destroying a HFS+ partition _BUT_ if you are taking the time to run Windows on a machine obviously your data is important and worth protecting.

Tell that man to install virsus software now. :D

i Never said that, i wanted to know if the Mac OSX partition would be affected by a Virus on the Windows, partition, nonetheless i will tell him, to be honest i don't think he'd really be that bothered if windows got hit by a virus, he just go boasting to his friends about how it got a virus, proving macs are safer Ect. my concern is that he is going to get his OSX Partition Busted

[dextertangocci]

No, it can't affect the Mac partition. Sorry I can't explain why right now, I'm tired and dizzy, but I heard it on the Mac Cast podcast, and don't remember it right now:o

[atszyman]

Windows cannot read/write HFS+ drives, which is what the Mac partition is, without the use of third party utilities. If he has one of these installed (MacDrive is one I believe) his Macintosh drive is vulnerable. If he does not have any utilities installed to access the Mac partition in Windows the only way a virus could affect the Mac partition would be to reformat/repartition the drive and delete the Mac partition.

In summary, without any third party utilities giving Windows access to the Mac partition a virus could only hurt the Mac partition by completely deleting it. The virus would not be able to just corrupt the system or files.

[apfhex]

i wanted to know if the Mac OSX partition would be affected by a Virus on the Windows partition
I suppose only if there was a virus that could repartition the drive.

One reason (the only reason) I'm glad Windows can't read HFS+ without 3rd party software...

[Macmadant]

Thanks for you help, that's a relief, he's got some important stuff on his HDD for me that I've yet to get of him

[daveporter]

I am not sure about this. If a Windows virus is picked up that erases the boot sectors on the Mac/Windows drives, will that also take out the Mac partition? I do not know the answer, however, I have a friend that owns a computer shop that repairs both Macs and PCs and I will ask him the next time I see him. Its an interesting question.

Dave

[atszyman]

I am not sure about this. If a Windows virus is picked up that erases the boot sectors on the Mac/Windows drives, will that also take out the Mac partition? I do not know the answer, however, I have a friend that owns a computer shop that repairs both Macs and PCs and I will ask him the next time I see him. Its an interesting question.

Dave

That could potentially cause some issues depending on how the Mac OS boots and how the boot is handled in Macs. However on the bright side this would not be such a bad problem since it should be possible to fix the boot partition to recover all of your data. It might have to be done by a professional but the data recovery should be a lot simpler than trying to recover a re-formatted drive.

[erikamsterdam]

Just don't go on the internet using Window$. Use it for gaming, nothing else. Then you don't run any risk, you don't need Anti Virus software, you don't have to ******* around with hidious Window$ update, no nag screens your OS is illegal :D

[ghanakidd]

Just don't go on the internet using Window$. Use it for gaming, nothing else. Then you don't run any risk, you don't need Anti Virus software, you don't have to ******* around with hidious Window$ update, no nag screens your OS is illegal :D

I totally agree with this. If you're running Windows on your Mac, chances are it's a game or some other piece of software engineered exclusively for a Windows environment. Okay, fine -- that's understandable. Surfing the web opens up the door to some unnecessary risks (unless you really must surf using Microsoft IE). Internet access is just as easy if not easier on the Mac and is generally safer too. Stay in the Mac OS when surfing the 'Net and you should be golden.

[Macmadant]

I totally agree with this. If you're running Windows on your Mac, chances are it's a game or some other piece of software engineered exclusively for a Windows environment. Okay, fine -- that's understandable. Surfing the web opens up the door to some unnecessary risks (unless you really must surf using Microsoft IE). Internet access is just as easy if not easier on the Mac and is generally safer too. Stay in the Mac OS when surfing the 'Net and you should be golden.

he only games on 'it', but onlines gaming aswell, he also said something about apple removing the right apple button + click as right click, he uses an old pro mouse, (he doesn't like the mighty mouse, don't ask why) so i've got it, any ideas on fixing this

[Virtualball]

Aren't there some viruses that corrupt the hard drive itself? If so, then yes, it is bad.

[Porco]

Aren't there some viruses that corrupt the hard drive itself? If so, then yes, it is bad.

I thought that. That would suck if you decided to reformat the disk and then it messed up due to a corrupted disk.

Also, everyone says 'Windows can't read HFS+ without extra software'. I don't know know how it works but surely that's fine only until some enterprising so-and-so includes a cracked copy of that software inside their malware/virus isn't it? And then you'd be stuffed.

[Virtualball]

I thought that. That would suck if you decided to reformat the disk and then it messed up due to a corrupted disk.

Also, everyone says 'Windows can't read HFS+ without extra software'. I don't know know how it works but surely that's fine only until some enterprising so-and-so includes a cracked copy of that software inside their malware/virus isn't it? And then you'd be stuffed.

Lol, the virus would be ~8 MB :)

[LawrenceOrme]

if windows viruses cannot attack the mac side of the HDD, would it be possible to SAVE all music/work ect to the mac hdd so it's safe.....or is that just plain rediculous what i just said :P
thanks