Can a virus on Windows affect my OS X?

[Ja Di ksw]

I've never put Windows on my machine before, thinking about doing it now for a game. If I do this and there's some virus I get from Windows, will I be at risk while in OS X? For example, will they be able to read keystrokes or search my HD or anything like that? I plan on only using Windows for a game.

 

[MacDawg]

The short answer is "no"

There are some much longer answers, but the bottom line is "no"

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[spinnerlys]

The long answer is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

 

[mikes63737]

If you install software on Windows to allow it to support reading Mac filesystems (like MacDrive), then it can access the Mac partition of your hard drive.

So, the long answer is really: No... unless you specifically install software which allows it to do so. Since you're using it for gaming, your Mac partition is completely safe from Windows malware.

 

[JavierP]

I've never put Windows on my machine before, thinking about doing it now for a game. If I do this and there's some virus I get from Windows, will I be at risk while in OS X? For example, will they be able to read keystrokes or search my HD or anything like that? I plan on only using Windows for a game.

If the virus manages to get admin rights in windows, it can do every thing. It can trash your entire hard disk, send your mother a mail telling her the porn sites you watch and start WWIII

 

[dan5.5]

just install a free anti virus and it will help you get rid of most viruses... and dont run pirated software, you wont get a virus...

 

[spinnerlys]

just install a free anti virus and it will help you get rid of most viruses... and dont run pirated software, you wont get a virus...

If you talk about Windows, there are other ways of acquiring a virus than with pirated software.

If you talk about Mac OS X, again, there are no viruses for Mac OS X.
There is Malware of course, that can spread via pirated software (PS and iWork), but it needs to be installed manually and the user has to enter the account's (Admin) password to allow the installer access to system critical files and folders.

 

[LotteNYC]

If you talk about Windows, there are other ways of acquiring a virus than with pirated software.

If you talk about Mac OS X, again, there are no viruses for Mac OS X.

As of now... I wonder how long this will last or if this one big cover up.
Sorry, playing devil's advocate here as to there is no plague but we can all have it because we were told there is no spread.

 

[ARF900]

I disagree, I would say yes, a nasty enough virus could destroy your hardware, it could not directly attack OSX, but if it ruins your HDD or Mobo the computer wont work at all. Remember, Mac hardware is no different from PC hardware, the difference is not that mac hardware is better, its the mac hardware is better tested and integrated with OSX than you would find on any windows system.

 

[chrono1081]

I disagree, I would say yes, a nasty enough virus could destroy your hardware, it could not directly attack OSX, but if it ruins your HDD or Mobo the computer wont work at all. Remember, Mac hardware is no different from PC hardware, the difference is not that mac hardware is better, its the mac hardware is better tested and integrated with OSX than you would find on any windows system.

Um...no.

Viruses are software and in no way shape or form able to damage your hardware.

To the OP: No, a windows virus can not attack your mac. I'll explain why:

Windows viruses are programs written for windows. Programs written for windows will not run on mac. Viruses prey on windows vulnarabilities. Mac (and linux) are much much more secure.

I get infected drives and things all the time since I work in IT. When a user comes to my office with a drive or whatever that I know has a virus the first thing I do is plug it into my mac or linux machine and delete the virus file if its not disguised as another file type.

For example the thumbdrive I have right now does not show the virus file in windows, its hidden, when I plug it into my mac (like I just did) I can see a file called "LSASS.exe" I know this is a virus because it is always infecting work machines, but not my mac.

 

[Stridder44]

I disagree, I would say yes, a nasty enough virus could destroy your hardware, it could not directly attack OSX, but if it ruins your HDD or Mobo the computer wont work at all.

Viruses are pretty much software only. So no, it couldn't "destroy" your hardware. You have no idea what you're talking about.

Remember, Mac hardware is no different from PC hardware, the difference is not that mac hardware is better, its the mac hardware is better tested and integrated with OSX than you would find on any windows system.

Mac hardware and PC hardware ARE THE SAME. The difference is the casing, design, and the software.

To the OP: grab Microsoft Security Essentials and install it. It's a free anti-virus/malware/etc app that is extremely lightweight and takes up very little memory. It also has the highest detection rate of any AV program. You'll forget it's even running.

 

[kny3twalker]

Viruses are pretty much software only. So no, it couldn't "destroy" your hardware. You have no idea what you're talking about.



Mac hardware and PC hardware ARE THE SAME. The difference is the casing, design, and the software.

To the OP: grab Microsoft Security Essentials and install it. It's a free anti-virus/malware/etc app that is extremely lightweight and takes up very little memory. It also has the highest detection rate of any AV program. You'll forget it's even running.

I think there are viruses capable of ruining harddrives. Basically the virus would simply write continuously to the drive until it fails.