Can a Macbook be infected by PC virus & spyware?

siaku · siaku #1 (**permalink**)

06-13-2006, 07:38 AM

Hi! I don't own a Mac yet but want 1 desperately in the very near future. The reason why I want to switch is becoz I have enough of these viruses & spywares. But before I go to a Macstore & buy 1, I want to know 1 thing for sure :
If Macbook can operate Windows, does it mean that Macbook can be infected by PC viruses??
Please help & thx!!

cazabam · cazabam #2 (**permalink**)

06-13-2006, 07:44 AM

No matter what hardware Windows is running on, it is susceptible to the same viruses. Therefore, Windows running on Mac hardware can (and probably will) get infected.

HOWEVER! Mac OS X will not. It is technically possible to infect Mac OS X, as it is technically possible to infect any operating system. The viruses for Mac OS X are few and far between, though, and spyware is hardly noticed. Certainly most spyware relies on Windows being the host OS. You can sit comfortably knowing that even if (when?) the Windows install is totally hosed, you'll still have Mac OS X working perfectly well :-)

schweb · schweb #3 (**permalink**)

06-13-2006, 07:56 AM

This thread should help also:
The Official Mac AntiVirus and Firewall FAQ

siaku · siaku #4 (**permalink**)

06-14-2006, 12:25 AM

Wow!Thx for the quick replies. Now I'm sure that Macbook is THE ONE. :flower:
Thx again guys!

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Can a Macbook be infected by PC virus & spyware?

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siaku #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 13, 2006 Posts: 6	06-13-2006, 07:38 AM Hi! I don't own a Mac yet but want 1 desperately in the very near future. The reason why I want to switch is becoz I have enough of these viruses & spywares. But before I go to a Macstore & buy 1, I want to know 1 thing for sure : If Macbook can operate Windows, does it mean that Macbook can be infected by PC viruses?? Please help & thx!!
	QUOTE Thanks

cazabam #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 06, 2006 Posts: 1,153 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.0GHz White, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD	06-13-2006, 07:44 AM No matter what hardware Windows is running on, it is susceptible to the same viruses. Therefore, Windows running on Mac hardware can (and probably will) get infected. HOWEVER! Mac OS X will not. It is technically possible to infect Mac OS X, as it is technically possible to infect any operating system. The viruses for Mac OS X are few and far between, though, and spyware is hardly noticed. Certainly most spyware relies on Windows being the host OS. You can sit comfortably knowing that even if (when?) the Windows install is totally hosed, you'll still have Mac OS X working perfectly well :-)
	QUOTE Thanks

siaku #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 13, 2006 Posts: 6	06-14-2006, 12:25 AM Wow!Thx for the quick replies. Now I'm sure that Macbook is THE ONE. :flower: Thx again guys!
	QUOTE Thanks

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