Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Networks spyware and a question

b0tt094

b0tt094

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 2, 2006
402
0
I got a question about networks. Im thinking about hooking my PC and mac together and use the Pc as... an external Storage unit but i think it may (by may i mean ya it does) have have spyware and maybe a few pc viruses... now heres my question If i connect them will my loner PC give my Kick ass mac :cool: viruses?
 
No. Windows viruses can not run on OSX, not sure about spyware but I believe that it is also OS dependent. However if you connect a computer to the internet that you know is infected you will be spreading viruses. If you are only going to use it for storage, run Linux or at least reformat the drive and reinstall Windows.
 
bob5820 said:
No. Windows viruses can not run on OSX, not sure about spyware but I believe that it is also OS dependent. However if you connect a computer to the internet that you know is infected you will be spreading viruses. If you are only going to use it for storage, run Linux or at least reformat the drive and reinstall Windows.
Click to expand...

It should also be noted that if you have a laptop, and use it in the method you just described, it is possible to pass the viruses, even on a Mac.
 
benthewraith said:
It should also be noted that if you have a laptop, and use it in the method you just described, it is possible to pass the viruses, even on a Mac.
Click to expand...

Im not understanding, How is a Laptop any different then a Desktop?
 
todd2000 said:
Im not understanding, How is a Laptop any different then a Desktop?
Click to expand...

I believe what he's saying is that the virus can lie dormant on a Mac i.e. OSX laptop, but if you should plug the laptop into another network (which happens rather a lot) it is possible for the laptop to spread the virus to that network.
 
ok thanks.. my dad works at a tech school so i get all my comp work stuff for free so I'll just have him wipe it.
 
If malware was to drop data onto the mac storage space, Windows on a remote machine would need to execute it. An executable will not run by itself. OS X will not spread malware around if you were to connect machines to a network.
 
b0tt094 said:
ok thanks.. my dad works at a tech school so i get all my comp work stuff for free so I'll just have him wipe it.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the best option.
 
In addition to what everybody else has said, make sure your Firewall is turned on under Preferences > Sharing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back