Hello, i was wondered is it possible that a virtual machine like vmware spread virus to our main host which is Mac OS?
Should i need to update when every Mac OS updates released just to ensure that the host security level is up to date? Can virtual machines on really able to escape and spread virus to Mac user through wifi network?
I currently using Mac M1 chip.
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.2
Sarcasm aside, while nothing it technically impossible, running a virtual machine and a Linux or Windows guest OS, is extremely unlikely to infect the Mac with anything.
Any malware targeted to the guest OS will be specific for that guest OS, not macOS.
Unless of course you do not trust the ethics of the virtual machine company, and you think the virtual machine company would intentionally infect your Mac. You said VMware, and I think you can be assured that it is a trust worthy company (as they would have too much too loose if they were caught infecting host systems).
As for the guest OS, at most you will be sharing a folder (or 2) between your Mac and the guest OS. That folder will not be a place that macOS looks for executable files. And the guest OS cannot escape from the shared folder to write anywhere except the shared folder.
So it is extremely unlikely that a guest OS will be able to infect your Mac with anything.
some additional comments: Macs cannot be infected with a virus. Period. They can be affected by Malware, but that is easily removed with the Malwarebytes app. For any network, the best security is to use only strong, complex passwords, and to use a list of different ones.
That's a very leading question.
Other than some very specific instances, there's nothing inherently different between running a system in a VM vs bare metal.
Since you specifically mention 'through WiFi network' - the answer is:
You are JUST AS VULNERABLE to getting attacked over the network from a virtual machine as you are from any other machine on the network.
However, in general, Mac OS remains secure, so the above statement could just as easily be written as:
You are JUST AS VULNERABLE to getting attacked over the network from a physical machine as you are from a virtual machine.
Given that the commonest attack vector hinges on social engineering (tricking you into clicking a link, opening a file, etc.) it doesn't really matter where that comes from, physical or virtual.
ChowWenJun wrote:
Hello, i was wondered is it possible that a virtual machine like vmware spread virus to our main host which is Mac OS?
No.
Should i need to update when every Mac OS updates released just to ensure that the host security level is up to date?
No. That's fake news. But misinformation has become so pervasive that falsehoods simply cannot be challenged anymore. Any recent version of macOS is perfectly safe. If you want to buy into the rat race, then you can do so. Make sure to keep your Mac updated. You'll need every system update, every security update, each sexy new Rapid Security Response. The updates won't ever end. This is the reason you bought a Mac, isn't it? To apply security patches? With a high-speed internet connection, you can apply security patches even faster than before!
Can virtual machines on really able to escape and spread virus to Mac user through wifi network?
I currently using Mac M1 chip.
If you wanted to work at it. If you really tried hard to setup a VM, disabled every basic, built-in security precaution that the VM provides, enable every single data sharing service that the VM allows, disabled all security protections inside the guest OS, manually downloaded all the malware-laden pirate apps and "video codecs" that you can find, then yes, you might be able to get some PC malware files on your Mac. Of course, they will be completely, absolutely harmless. But better be on the safe side and buy yourself 2 or 3 3rd party antivirus apps. You need them for both the Mac side and the guest OS side. So I guess that's 4 or 5 separate antivirus apps. Let's see, at $44.95/month, that will cost you about $180/month for malware protection, plus tax. Can you ever be too safe?
Old Toad wrote:
One can also setup their computer station like this for additional protection:
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/b4cf75ec-cb3a-48a0-bf11-d9a22ecbd80d
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/830a5bb6-d0f1-4dfd-8e83-5f55d10df74c
Where did you get that picture of my workstation? Do I now have to place the building in an aluminum security cacoon?
BobTheFisherman wrote:
Old Toad wrote:
One can also setup their computer station like this for additional protection:
Where did you get that picture of my workstation? Do I now have to place the building in an aluminum security cocoon?
The Old Toad is all seeing. 😇
Old Toad wrote:
One can also setup their computer station like this for additional protection:
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/b4cf75ec-cb3a-48a0-bf11-d9a22ecbd80d
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/830a5bb6-d0f1-4dfd-8e83-5f55d10df74c
The moral, DO NOT go on Vacation!
While never that extreme, I've found my office stuffed with all kinds of misc things so I could not get in without first removing the things they put into my office.
Now I work from home, so I should be safe from those pranks.
BobHarris wrote:
The moral, DO NOT go on Vacation!
While never that extreme, I've found my office stuffed with all kinds of misc things so I could not get in without first removing the things they put into my office.
I hear of a prank similar to that. An office was filled with balloons. The prank was several were filled with water. Can you picture that? I've helped in a balloon prank but never with any water filled ones.
One can also setup their computer station like this for additional protection:
Virtual Machine Spreading Malware/Viruses to Mac OS ?
