Mac with windows virus question...

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OK, here goes:

Mac's are known to be relatively virus free... However, IF (i have no reason to) I decided to install XP on the mac, could I get a virus which is coded for the PC?
I know the mac's are not pc's, but when you install windows on them does this leave it open to PC related viruses?
 
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Yup.

That's 'cause they aren't "PC viruses"; they're Windows viruses.

Of course, this also implies that if your Windows install on the Mac does get a virus, Mac OS X won't be affected.

If you want a free anti-virus program for Windows, get AVG Free Edition: http://free.grisoft.com/
 
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I really doubt if it does not affect your Mac OS X,

I would suppose it affect your files, so all your Mac OS X files could also be deleted by the virus,

Thoughts about this topic are very different ;)
 
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Well, Mac OS X and Windows are on 2 separate partitions,
and in Windows, you cannot access the Mac OS X partition (unless you install MacDrive), so...

As for the files on the Windows partition, well, of course those could be affected.
 
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I really doubt if it does not affect your Mac OS X,

I would suppose it affect your files, so all your Mac OS X files could also be deleted by the virus,

Thoughts about this topic are very different ;)

By default Windows can't read - or even recognise - Mac partitions, so your Mac files would be relatively safe even if your Windows installation obtained a virus.
 
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A Windows virus on the Windows partition can not, in anyway, affect your performance outside of the Windows partition.

A Windows virus on the Mac partition cannot be opened, as it is a Windows file, therefore it cannot affect anything at all.
 
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Oh sorry my bad :)

as you see, it's not how I said it was :p
 
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thanks everyone in this thread for answering, as I was also wondering the same question. :)
 
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vaughan80
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Thanks guys. It had been playing on my mind, i know it sounds like a stupid question - but i just wanted to make sure.
 

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