Can my Mac get PC viruses when running Virtual PC 6.1?

[raynegus]

Wondering if I need to be worried about PC viruses on my Mac when using Virtual PC 6.1 (with Windoze 2000 Prof). Should I buy PC anti-virus software or will the PC viruses not work on an emulator like VPC?

I currently don't have any anti-virus software on my Mac (never had a need for it).

Thanks!

 

[yellow]

Wondering if I need to be worried about PC viruses on my Mac when using Virtual PC 6.1 (with Windoze 2000 Prof). Should I buy PC anti-virus software or will the PC viruses not work on an emulator like VPC?

Your VPC of Windows can definitely get infected with a virus. Your Mac won't be effected, but your VPC Windows sure will. Of course, if you're using a firewall on your Mac, you limit the external Windows viruses that can attack VPC, and if you don't use email on VPC, then you further limit your exposure. But you're still quite vulnerable to IE exploits and other web-based/downloadable trojans.

 

[jemeinc]

Speaking of viruses & microsoft— my office X was just recently infected with 'drm97" or something like that... Every time I tried to send a Word .doc it came back infected... I ran Virex & haven't had any notices since... I guess VPC would be vulnerable as well...

 

[Horrortaxi]

Your VPC can get a virus but it will be contained within VPC--well, and the outside world. It won't do anything to your Mac.

I always think of VPC like an ant farm. You can see what the ants are doing and everything is pretty orderly. The ants can't get out and eat your tasty snack or otherwise ruin your day.