Ubermax5

Q: Are there any files that I need to be concerned about containing viruses if I transfer them to the iMac ?

I will be switching from an old windows computer to iMac because the old computer was infected with viruses. A lot of my files are backed up on a separate drive. Are there any files that I need to be concerned about containing viruses if I transfer them to the iMac ?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 4, 2014 6:06 PM

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Q: Are there any files that I need to be concerned about containing viruses if I transfer them to the iMac ?

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Aug 4, 2014 6:11 PM in response to Ubermax5
    Level 10 (271,860 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 4, 2014 6:11 PM in response to Ubermax5

    Windows viruses and malware can not affect a Mac. Different platforms. However, there are some OS X malware out there, so you should educate yourself:

     

    Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection

     

    An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

    Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.

    See these Apple articles:

     

      Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection

      OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

      OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

      OS X Mavericks- Protect your Mac from malware

      About file quarantine in OS X

     

    If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using ClamXAV. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for this recommendation.)

     

    From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:

     

    The facts are:

     

    1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.

    2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there

         is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.

    3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that

         the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering

         techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.

    4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on

        your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a

        protection against malware.

    5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware

        from which they purport to protect you.

    6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.

    7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.

    8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something

        you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.

    9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Aug 4, 2014 8:15 PM in response to Ubermax5
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Aug 4, 2014 8:15 PM in response to Ubermax5

    The only currently know malware that will run on both Windows and OS X are ancient MS Office macro viruses that will only work on a Mac if you allow Macros to be run.

     

    You probably don't want to have any Windows only malware in files you could possibly send to a PC user, so it probably would be a good idea to do a one-time scan of those drives before you copy them to your Mac.