Question about viruses on Windows using Parallels

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

MarkW - 31 Oct 2006 19:26 GMT

I have a question about if I get a virus on Windows XP using
Parallels. Let's say I do get a virus though on the Windows side and
it wipes out a lot of files, etc. Whatever damage the virus does is
that limited to my Windows side meaning it would potentially wipe out
my files, data, etc. on the Windows side but not affect anything on
the Mac OS side or can it basically affect the whole computer? I think
the key either way is anything you can run on the Mac OS X side do it,
don't use Windows software unless you have to. My MBP just arrived an
hour ago so I'm going to be working on that now.

Reply to this Message

Warren Oates - 01 Nov 2006 00:11 GMT

> I have a question about if I get a virus on Windows XP using
> Parallels. Let's say I do get a virus though on the Windows side and
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> don't use Windows software unless you have to. My MBP just arrived an
> hour ago so I'm going to be working on that now.

What happens in Parallels stays in Parallels. Your, um, "C drive" is
just a big file on your Mac; if it gets corrupted, you can just trash it
and reload. I don't think there's anything that can get at your "shared
folders." Doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful though.

Note that Boot Camp uses a real hard drive partition, you must be more
careful there.

Signature

W. Oates
Teal'c: He is concealing something.
O'Neil: Like what?
Teal'c: I am unsure, he is concealing it.

Reply to this Message

Richard Maine - 01 Nov 2006 00:17 GMT

> What happens in Parallels stays in Parallels. Your, um, "C drive" is
> just a big file on your Mac; if it gets corrupted, you can just trash it
> and reload. I don't think there's anything that can get at your "shared
> folders." Doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful though.

Well of course things in WIndows in Parallels can get at your shared
folders. That's sort of the point of making them shared - so that they
can be accessed from Windows. Ideally, of course, that's so that you can
do good things with them, but what can be accessed by "good" programs
can also be accessed by "bad" ones.

Sure, your "C:" drive is more vulnerable and most likely to be
targetted, but anything that you make write-accessible to Windows
systems - even other windows systems in your house, can be corrupted by
them.

Signature

Richard Maine | Good judgement comes from experience;
email: last name at domain . net | experience comes from bad judgement.
domain: summertriangle | -- Mark Twain

Reply to this Message

Mac Forum / Applications / Mac Applications / October 2006

Question about viruses on Windows using Parallels