07-16-2005, 04:48 PM

I have a Imac upstairs and my PC withe dsl internet downstairs. I need the internet on my imac upstairs so i bought a wireless broadband router. Do I have to create a network in order to use the internet on my imac? I heard that if your imac is networked with a PC i might want to get an antivirus and internet protection.

Can i install the wireless router on my pc and receive internet in my imac without them having to be networked? I don't want to catch a virus from my pc onto my mac.

I am new to routers and MAcs. I just want to keep my mac safe.

07-16-2005, 06:51 PM

By installing a router you wil be creating a network consisting of all of the comps attached to it at any one time. You don't need to 'create' any other networks other than this.

Your PC should be safe from virus' that your mac has unless you actually swap files between the pc and mac. As far as i know (which could be very little) a virus cannot spread itself automatically across a network without you initiating some sort of communication between the comps.

I run virus protection on my mac bnecause i get it free from uni but i have only got one pc virus in a year of use and it hasn't spread to the rest of my network.

As long as your PC anti-virus is up to date then it shouldn't be any worse than surfing the net on your pc. Your mac will be safe what ever you do 'cos as of now ther are no OSX virus'

07-18-2005, 04:18 PM

I would install the broadband router at your ADSL outlet and then let the PC and Mac find the network themselves...

PC viruses have to be written to perform in MS Dos or windows (like all other programmes) so they are almost impossible to transfer to a Mac in a working state... just try to get a PC programme to install on your mac and you'll see what I mean...

The whole reason there is Microsoft Office for Mac is because PC MS Office disks just won't work on a Mac... like a VHS tape in a Beta player (for older types out there) or playing a MiniDisc on a CD player - just can't be done; the two formats both carry and play music but in different ways

Keep up with your PC antivirus - it will still need it - but you shouldn't need to worry about PC viruses transferring to your lovely new Mac...

Happy surfing!

07-21-2005, 11:06 PM

I had DSL for 4 years because when I first moved in, we couldn't get Cable Modem.

I just switched and the Cable Modem is 129x faster than the DSL.

My Verizon DSL SUCKED!!!!!!!!! I didn't realize how bad it was until I finally switched.

See if you can try that option. Just my $.02

Trapz

07-22-2005, 05:14 AM

and exactly how would this solve his problem?

if your DSL modem is separate then the ethernet connector you will plug it straight into your router and then connect to your mac and pc.

if its and all in one then from the main line in connect that to the router then connect the mac and pc straight from the router

07-22-2005, 05:18 AM

So to recap:

a) No, you don't need a virus scanner on your mac, a firewall is built in. (Check under system preferences> sharing to see if it is turned on).

b) If you plug in a wireless router to your internet connection, it will allow any computer in range to access the internet - no additional networking required.
You should however make sure it is encrypted, so only your machines can get online. Check your routers manual for instructions on how to set that up.

07-22-2005, 08:24 AM

How do you plan to connect the iMac to the wireless router? You'll either need an airport card for it or you'll need to run a CAT5 cable down to the router, but then that defeats the purpose of wireless. Your router needs to be connected(wired with CAT5 cable, unless your DSL modems WAN port is USB) to your DSL modem and the PC downstairs(again, unless your PC also has a wireless adapter in it). The fact that the PC and the iMAC are on the same router means that they are 'Networked' together, but if you don't do any file sharing the chances that you'll pass on a virus to another PC(not another Mac) are minimal. You do know that there are no native virus's in the wild on OS X.