Good AntiVirus Program for MacBook running Windows XP?

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but I'm getting my first Mac in a few days and I'm not sure about the whole, "running XP" thing. Since it's running XP, I'm guessing the mac will be exposed to viruses and spyware, so my question is, "What's a good anti-virus/spyware/firewall program for MacBook."

Also, if I buy a program, does that mean I have to buy two different copies because of the whole running XP and Mac thing? I sometimes play online games and stuff (That's pretty much all I'm going to use XP for... and some other XP crap that is essential to my schoolwork), but I don't want to get a virus.

Thanks in advance...

#426776

This thread is about Mac antivirus software. Not Windows.

#426787

I'm not sure about the whole, "running XP" thing.

He asked about running xp on a mac.

#426799

are you planning on using bootcamp or parallels?

in either case, it's still the exact same windows that you're used to, so i would just use the same software you use on your current computer.

#426800

Installing XP on a MacBook

Q: What preparations should I make to install Windows XP Pro on a new MacBook? I am concerned about anti-virus protection, and size of partitions on hard drive. I have a 120GB HDD.

You don’t say if you’re using Parallels or Bootcamp. If it’s Parallels you have more flexibility. Parallels lets you grow your Windows “drive” as you need space. 10GB is a good starting point. And if you get infected, just delete the “drive” and start over. I suggest making a copy of the virtual drive when you’ve got it working just right, then you can restore the system by copying that image file back into the directory. Parallels will tell you where the Windows image is stored, but by default it’s in the user/Library/Parallels folder.

If you’re using Bootcamp, you’re just like a normal Windows user, and you need to take the same precautions. I recommend a good anti-virus, anti-spyware, and all due caution using the system online. 20GB is a good starting point, but it depends on how you’ll be using Windows. You might prefer to reserve more space for it.

--G4Techtv

#426801

If you're running Windows (why you would do that is beyond me but...) it's Windows that needs an anti-virus app, not the MacBook.

There are no known, working viruses for OSX and as for Windows, there's about gazillion of them. So when you install windows just install whatever AV you were using so far and when you're running OSX, relax and enjoy the ride.

Btw, since this is about Windows AV and not OSX, i've moved and renamed the thread.

/Thread moved, renamed

#426821