Working with Windows: Security

Network Administration - What do you have to and don't have to worry about connecting Macs and PCs?

Normally, under the hands of well-trained users, a properly configured Mac computer will not have a lot of security risks. Sharing a network with Windows systems doesn't change that; Mac is still relatively safe.

However, in some cases, even if a Mac computer is properly configured, and with a fairly well-trained user, the Mac can still be compromised securely with Windows systems connected to it. . Even so, that risk can be easily managed with some simple precautions.

Other types of infections

Mac systems rarely get caught in viruses and other types of malicious software like other systems. However, they can act as an infectious computer from which to influence targeted Windows systems. Here, not the Mac is infected and is used to attack the PC but rather the Mac computer may contain an infected file; Because of the online relationship, a PC with a vulnerability still believed Mac could be infected.

There are three things that must be in place for a Mac to act as an infected computer for Windows computers:

- Macs must access and share infected files - via email, instant messaging (IM), shared hosting (such as USB drives), or a similar mechanism.

- Windows system must have vulnerabilities for malware to invade, its security protection fails to protect the system.

- File avoids network security filters. Typically, this problem often occurs in corporate networks, which have virus filtering tools for web traffic or email scanning and file servers.

Because all three things are needed, Mac infection to PC is not common. In addition, you can use several methods to protect them.

First - and this is also the best preventive measure - that is to ensure that Windows systems are properly protected, with updated security software.

Second , if you're on a Mac, the best way is to send and receive email through a server or a service with a virus filter. Such services will update more frequently than anti-virus applications on the workstation, and from there can protect you against malware attacks Mac, without the need for maintenance on the computer.

Working with Windows: Security Picture 1
Many Mac security products - including Intego's VirusBarrier X6 -
provides some protection against malware for Windows.

Third , if you exchange multiple files with PC users online, you should install antivirus applications for Mac to be able to scan Windows malware. Mac security products offered by Intego, Kaspersky, Sophos, Symantec, and Trend Micro all can scan Windows malware. Whatever application you use, it must be configured so that the program can scan emails, downloaded files, files from shared storage devices or plugged in.

Virtualization problem

You can inject nearby PCs if you run Windows programs on your Mac using virtualization software. And a Mac running Windows will have the same vulnerability as other PCs.

Both VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop for Mac allow you to share file systems, network connections and even desktops between OS X and Windows. So if the Windows virtual machine is exploited, data on the Mac may be exposed. Your computer (Mac) can even be infected because you downloaded a file, then access the file on the hard drive from the Windows virtual machine.

The best and only option you can make is to implement security measures like Windows virtual machines like on a real PC. Make sure you have Windows antivirus software installed, and that the software must be configured to scan files when opening files in Windows, not just email attachments, but also downloaded files. If you don't want the Windows antivirus program to slow down your Mac while it checks all the files on your system, you can disable or restrict the file sharing feature between the two operating systems.

Obey the rules

There is another security concern, however, it only concerns corporate networks. Some companies have appropriate policies, requiring all systems on the network to be managed with centralized security tools - also called ' end-point ' security tools. That means you have to make sure your Mac complies with that principle.

Most major endpoint security tools (from many antivirus software manufacturers for desktop computers) provide some basic Mac support. If you put a Mac computer in a new factory, check with the IT department to make sure that they will allow and install the necessary client software for it before going into use.