Question...can a Mac computer give a windows computer a virus?

Question

I've had this friend for several years, let's called her Jessie.

Jessie has been my friend for almost 7 years. But we're only internet friends. We've met each other in person a number of times.

When I talk to her on the computer, the diference is she has a mac and I have windows.

My dad told me windows gets viruses easier than macs. So, when she sends me links can they give our computer viruses?

It's happened multiple times, and my cousin was on it 2 days ago and my dad's been running scans since.

I asked her when we were younger, does she ever scan her computer and she says "no." Which makes me thing she has so many viruses on her computer.

So, now I'm using my laptop and wanna use Skype and talk to my Japanese teacher but I'm afraid if she comes on, she's gunna want a video call. I need my laptop next month for school, and I don't wanna viruses on it.

So, anyway can Mac's give Windows computers viruses easily?

My mom said not to do video calls using my laptop.

Is this a good idea?

Answer 1

Viruses are Microsoft problems not Macintosh. Macs don't need to do scans cause they don't normally get infected. I have a Mac and honestly I wouldn't know how to do a scan because defragging and disk sweeping isn't necessary or even an option on macs. Maybe you need to go to your start up menu and defrag AND sweep your disk. It takes forever and several hours but that is typical maintenance on windows. I bet skype uses a load of cookies which would cause lagging and other problems.

Answer 2

Theoretically, if someone downloads a malware infested file on a Mac and sends it to you, you can still be infected. Same if someone on a Mac links you to a website with malware on it.



The best way to keep your computer safe is to run a good, trustworthy antivirus, and keep it up to date. Most modern antivirus programs run in the background to block incoming threats, so you shouldn't need to worry too much about scanning. The scanning option is really more for if you have a system that you suspect is infested, and you install the antivirus software onto it so you can take care of it.

Answer 3

those questions pop up in many circumstances, tremendously with new Mac purchasers. the answer to the two is not any. One has to appreciate that Mac OS X, the working device put in on each Mac, works in yet differently from domicile windows. Its UNIX commencing place prevents viruses from catching and spreading viruses. The exception to this rule is once you run domicile windows on a Mac. The disk partition the place domicile windows would be working, and domicile windows itself, are in threat if attacked via an endemic. the threat is limited to the domicile windows proportion of the laptop, although. you are going to be able to ponder whether contaminated attachments in e mail can impression you. the respond is not any. Your Mac will refuse to execute the courses because they do no longer look to be compatible with Mac OS X. One danger on your information, although, is a macro virus in workplace application alongside with be conscious or Excel. regrettably, Microsoft workplace is universal and macro viruses certainly are. in short, don’t worry with anti-virus application for the Mac. purely save your macro virus secure practices became on in workplace suites and you're set.

Answer 4

There is a website called "virus total" were you can scan URL links and it will inform you weather the links are safe or not.

Answer 5

Add to the others concepts:

If you're having system misbehavior: "my cousin was on it 2 days ago".

Never let anyone access your machine or use it for any reason...or you will have problems. If there's no other option, turn on the "Guest account" for them, and have all other accounts accessible only thru a bullet proof passphrase.



Advise you back up all data* and do a formatted install of Windows. It's the only way to be 99% certain that you are 'clean'**.



*Ask another Q about how to do that.

**There is malware the infects the MBR (Master Boot Record) and is nearly impossible to erase with fresh installs of an OS.

Answer 6

"can a Mac computer give a windows computer a virus?"



Only indirectly, such as by email, external shared drive, or network connection.



"when she sends me links can they give our computer viruses?"



The link is what? To a web page? Well, sure. That's the fault of the web page, though. It's nothing to do with her computer.



"It's happened multiple times"



What is this "IT" ?



Mac users rarely use any anti-virus software. There is no virus for Mac OS X, although there have been a few Trojans and a couple of worms. (To the parrots who shout "Macs are less common, so they get fewer viruses", that's not the reason, but the numbers are true, because ZERO viruses for Mac OS X is DEFINITELY FEWER than one million for Windows.) The OS system files are protected, so we Mac users just ignore viruses. I scan my Macs (seven currently) a couple of times a year, and in more than 15 years of this, the total infections found (other that pop-up ads and such) are exactly zero.



If you are asking "Should Mac users be more helpful to us PC users and scan their attachments for Windows malware?" my answer is no. One scan on the PC is enough. It is your responsibility to use anti-virus software on your computer. You should not depend on others to scan stuff for you.



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Answer 7

First, no. Not directly. If the website URL looks sketchy, then I'd look out. but it's highly unlikely that your friend is going to send you to a website with a virus.



I can't help but jump the gun on this one though. You will never. ever. get a virus by video calling. (as long as you are using skype) because it is going through the skype servers. You are never going through anything malicious or anything like that. Infact, skype is the most trusted videocalling system. I use it on a daily basis on both mac and windows machines. I have not, nor will ever catch a virus from it. ever.



Link's themselfs can't give virus's. 99.999999999999999% of the time, a virus is a download that someone accepts. find how to disable cookies in your browser for extra protection. if at anytime you get a "Do you accept this download" when you were not expecting one, click no. no. no.



it's not technically true that macs don't get viruses as easily. It's that as of current, there are just less viruses for them. Most buissnessmen use windows, so naturally, hackers go for them.



also, most viruses are in the form of *FILE NAME HERE*.EXE files. EXE stands for exacutable. Mac's can not use EXE files, so it is unlikely that she has any on her computer to give to you.



by unlikely, i mean that she would have to be a super duper computer dope to ever download one it the first place.



in closing, It's perfectly fine. you will not get ANY viruses by using ANY skype program. for heaven's sake, skype is made by Microsoft.