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Security concerns running a VM

S

sergiobaschi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 30, 2012
199
6
Gothenburg, Sweden
I've installed a virtual machine running Windows XP on my iMac. The sole purpose is to run Age of Empires via Steam.

Windows keeps on with its "You're not protected", saying I need antivirus programs, firewalls and stuff.

Is there any potential risk for me? I mean, if I get a virus to the VM, I assume the virus will be sandboxed within the XP machine, and I'll delete it by simple deleting the VM, and just install a new instance?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.
 
If you're just playing a gain, not connecting to the internet then you have very little risk. How would a virus/malware get into the VM if you are not letting it connect to the net?
 
maflynn said:
If you're just playing a gain, not connecting to the internet then you have very little risk. How would a virus/malware get into the VM if you are not letting it connect to the net?
Click to expand...

I'm running via Steam, and Steam seems to need internet connection. I also play in multiplayer mode, which obviously requires an internet connection.
 
For my windows VM I have anti-virus installed as it is connected to the internet. The only way to protect a Windows VM external threats is to have no network connections.
 
It's Windows. It's vulnerable. There's no risk to your Mac but your VM is just as risky as any other XP machine.

Just install a free antivirus program in the VM. Microsoft Security Essentials is a decent, lightweight free offering. Find it on Microsoft.com. Support is ending for XP but this will get you through the interval until Spring 2015 when that happens.
 
sergiobaschi said:
I'm running via Steam, and Steam seems to need internet connection. I also play in multiplayer mode, which obviously requires an internet connection.
Click to expand...

If you're going to have a network connection then I'd strongly suggest you go with some antivirus software.

I had a windows VM that didn't use antivirus software but then its sole job was to run QuickBooks, no net access no risk in that situation.
 
The virtual machine is like a sandbox. Anything that runs is limited to that space. The risk of any sort of security breach if you're only running Steam is very low, but if something does happen, any damage will be limited to the VM. Just wipe it out, reinstall it, and everything will be fine.
 
sjinsjca said:
It's Windows. It's vulnerable. There's no risk to your Mac but your VM is just as risky as any other XP machine.

Just install a free antivirus program in the VM. Microsoft Security Essentials is a decent, lightweight free offering. Find it on Microsoft.com. Support is ending for XP but this will get you through the interval until Spring 2015 when that happens.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure it's Spring 2014..

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspx

That said, infections in the XP machine should be sandboxed but you won't take a significant hit by installing MSE or Avast (what I use on my Windows desktop and the VM on my Mac) and they're both free.
 
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