I need to run windows 7 for one of my courses this summer...virus worries?

[iKatianarie]

I'm going to follow the virtualization steps they instruct on CNET, to run windows 7 as a virtual machine while in OSX using Virtual Box. Should I be worried about possibility of viruses if I did this? I just got this thing, and I don't want to do ANYTHING to risk damaging it. :(.

[MacDawg]

No virus will pass from your Windows virtual machine to the Mac
But Windows will function just as it does on a PC
You will need protection for your Windows environment as you would any PC

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[Sn0wball]

http://free.avg.com - AVG (AntiVirus Guard), it's all you need on a Windows platform. Easy to use and free. Once installed and updated, you don't need to think about it. :)

I use http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html Avast free, myself. Only reason I didn't mention it first is that it doesn't have the vomit-inducing cutesy cutesy graphics you Mac guys love.

Viruses are overhyped.

[NewMacbookPlz]

Since it's in virtualization, no.

A virus will only affect that virtual machine, and not your mac's data. Even in BootCamp, your mac data is generally safe from Windows viruses.

[neiltc13]

There is no need to be concerned for two reasons:

The virus can't transfer

and

Viruses are no longer a problem on Windows and haven't been for a very long time. I've been running Windows machines without any sort of antivirus protection for several years.

[r.j.s]

Since it's in virtualization, no.

A virus will only affect that virtual machine, and not your mac's data. Even in BootCamp, your mac data is generally safe from Windows viruses.

Not exactly. The windows install and all of the files are still vulnerable - even in virtualization.

[iKatianarie]

thanks :). that calmed me down. But just to be on the safe side, what (free) anti virus would you recommend?

[NewMacbookPlz]

Not exactly. The windows install and all of the files are still vulnerable - even in virtualization.

That's what I meant with my 2nd sentence in the post. With the "no" I meant the mac-side was well isolated from any viral issues.

Sorry for the murkiness of my response...

[r.j.s]

With the "no" I meant the mac-side was well isolated from any viral issues.

While true, all the course files in Win7 are vulnerable, and the OP should have AV installed in order to protect those files.

[iKatianarie]

so, um, just to be clear, if I did ever get a virus using windows 7, it wouldn't affect OSX itself, right?

[r.j.s]

so, um, just to be clear, if I did ever get a virus using windows 7, it wouldn't affect OSX itself, right?

Correct.

[iKatianarie]

Correct.

and no effect on the machine itself?

[r.j.s]

and no effect on the machine itself?

No. At worst, you'd have to reinstall the Windows virtual machine.

[iKatianarie]

No. At worst, you'd have to reinstall the Windows virtual machine.

thank you :). I know I'm being a little paranoid, so thanks for putting up with it.

[dmmcintyre3]

thank you :). I know I'm being a little paranoid, so thanks for putting up with it.

When you install it copy the disk image and you will not have to reinstall it just replace the disk image with the copy.

[Sn0wball]

thanks :). that calmed me down. But just to be on the safe side, what (free) anti virus would you recommend?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7750489#post7750489

[touchdownjesus4]

I use http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html Avast free, myself. Only reason I didn't mention it first is that it doesn't have the vomit-inducing cutesy cutesy graphics you Mac guys love.

Viruses are overhyped.

I use avast as well for my virtual machines, it does not have great graphical effects but it also doesn't have the constant alerts that you get from other antivirus software providers. It is free and if you want peace of mind about your virtualized windows systems then download avast.