The formal wisdom is that Macs are protected from most viral calculator attacks , while PCs exist in a direful wild full of danger . But if you use Apple ’s Boot Camp public beta package to instal and operate Windows on your Intel - based Mac , you leave safe dominion .
In the yesteryear , if you needed to run some Windows programs , your only choice was Microsoft ’s $ 249 Virtual PC ( ) . This emulator offer yousomeprotection from internet - borne dangers by effectively running Windows in a box within your Mac . If you utilise Boot Camp , you ’re more exposed , and youmustfollow a strict security system regimen .
Windows XP SP2 ’s built - in firewall feature addresses only incoming connectedness endeavor ( as does Mac OS X ’s construct - in firewall ) . sound Windows drug user can protect themselves from malware such as keyloggers by using software package that monitor outgoing connections as well , such as the free ZoneAlarm , fromZone Labs , or a more full - featured firewall such as Zone Labs ’ $ 50 ZoneAlarm Pro 6.0 or Symantec ’s $ 67 SymantecClient Firewall .
Constant vigilance is of the essence in the Windows globe . AV - Test , a German surety and testing house , says that 70 to 100 fresh threats are discovered everyday . Our sister publicationPC Worldrecommends BitDefender ’s $ 30BitDefender 9 Standardfor auspices against Windows virus . You ’ll need to pay a $ 15 renewal fee each year to keep your virus definition up - to - engagement . ( Click here for more selective information on personal computer antivirus package . )
Putting Mac OS at Risk?Will using Boot Camp put theMac OSpart of your political machine at peril ? That ’s a foxy question . When you ’re running OS X , even on an Intel - based Mac , you ’re not susceptible to Windows - found viruses . Also , by nonpayment , Windows XP ca n’t see Mac operose - drive volume , so a rampage Windows virus that deletes files on your Windows partition wo n’t be able to see your Mac files . However , if you install a programme such as Mediafour ’s $ 50MacDriveso you may exchange Indian file between your Mac and Windows partition , your file may become vulnerable to a virus that deletes files .
