Forum Moderators: travelin cat
Does this mean that Word on my mac is infected? Could it be due to sharing documents over pen-drive with pc work colleagues? Not sure what I should do to fix it... cant believe my first problem with a mac is due to a virus! - anyone got any ideas, please?
It shoudl clean that virus when you run a scan, if not, it should quarantine it.
Virex is not going to help much and it can actually do more harm to your computer than good.
Are you creating these docs or just passing them on?
As mentioned, Macs CAN pass on an infected WordDoc even though it won't affect the Mac OS.
It is also possible that whoever you are sending them to has something set to flag every WORD doc as a possible Virus.
So if you 1) Have the Windows version of the virus, you cannot be harmed, and the main reason for you to get an antivirus at this point is to contribute to the massive attempt to halt viruses. However, if you 2) have a Macro Virus, you'll be looking at it affecting only your Microsoft products. So far, Macro Viruses have been localized to the programs they are written for, and have no affect on the operating system.
Newer versions of Microsoft products however should warn you if there is a macro in a document you are trying to open, ie: "This document contains macros which can contain viruses, do you wish to continue opening this document?"
So the question I would ask, would be: Where did I get this document and what type of virus is it?
--- Zak
this is my first post here so here we go!
I've used my Macs for 10 years now (probably averaging 8-10 hours a day every day) under the most extreme conditions of transferring files/downloading endless tons of software and whatever online/email of every variety etc.. etc..
NEVER even sniffed a virus and NEVER worried about it.
I haven't researched it, but casually I have not ever heard of anyone having a virus problem with a Mac!
I know it's a new concept but you'll just have to get used to it...LOL
Don't even worry about it, seriously. I'm actually pretty sure I've downloaded tons of PC viruses via email, but they couldn't find anywhere to get even a little bite of my Mac.
paulyB ;D
Don't even worry about it, seriously.
paulyB,
It's nonchalant attitudes that keep viruses at large. Even though it will not affect your Macintosh, you should take the responsibility, and attempt to contain viruses instead of freely sending and receiving all the while saying "who cares?". A little more vigilance never hurts. ;0)
-- Zak
More Mac Classic viruses existed than OS X ones do, most threats with OSX currently is trojan type activity and not spreadable viruses.
"nonchalant attitudes keep viruses at large"
not sure you meant to say that,
I've never sent a virus to anyone, though there are a few to whom I'd like to lol, and I don't know where you got that from my post.
My point was simply that I don't worry about it because I don't have to...and new Mac users should realize that they they don't have to carry the paranoia of the PC world around with them anymore. This is part of the Mac experience. I'm vigilant about everything I do.
pauly B ;D
Someday though, us Mac users are going to be the focus of a new wave of viral attacks, so when I see a viral email come through our organization, I try not to be overconfident. But as of now, I'll admit it is hard not to be overconfident, as nothing can really harm the OS as of yet...
-- Zak
If 90% of the world's home computers were Macs and 5% were Windoze, then the Windozes slaves would teasing us about all the Mac viruses. Macs are in NO WAY immune to viruses or other malware, there just not a lot of fertile ground for a Mac virus to spread -- as of today.
I like the biological references. Consider the timber industry replanting millions of acres of forest with genetically identical trees. One virus comes along and all them trees are dead. By running a Mac right now, ours will be the tree few and far between that survives and in the course of time will completely repopulate the forest land -- at least until another virus comes along and wipes us out.
Zak recommends vigilance, and I completely agree. As soon as this posts I'm changing my root account password to something other than "password".
If 90% of the world's home computers were Macs and 5% were Windoze...
This is nothing but propaganda. There are many examples, web servers for one, where M$ software is in the minority, and yet suffers the most from virus and worm attacks.
The Mac (or UNIX, Linux, ...) operating system is by it's nature more secure than Windows, and more able to resist any attack that does get through.
Even beyond that is just the type of people we Mac users are. Just looking at the amount of games sold for the PC vs. Mac could tell you that we are typically more productive with our computers. There are probably a few guys out there trying to cause trouble but we just haven't found them yet on our platform.
This is nothing but propaganda. There are many examples, web servers for one, where M$ software is in the minority, and yet suffers the most from virus and worm attacks.
Totally agree, I watch worms aimed at IIS and MS-SQL hit my servers literally hundreds of times per day.
Apache has nearly 70% of the web server market [Source: [news.netcraft.com...] but I have yet to spot an old Apache worm having a go.
<flamebait> Unless Windows admins don't know how to patch their systems? ;-) </flamebait>
... though I do beleive there would be a lot less viruses if 90% of the home computers were UNIX ...
Or do you disagree in that you beleive UNIX and Apache are competely free from any malware attack?
Just switched from PC to Mac... mainly to avoid virus problems which everyone told me were minimal with mac. However, am unable to send word documents over email as am notified that they are infected with the virus Virus.MSWord.thus.aa.Does this mean that Word on my mac is infected? Could it be due to sharing documents over pen-drive with pc work colleagues? Not sure what I should do to fix it... cant believe my first problem with a mac is due to a virus! - anyone got any ideas, please?
Have we?
given the fact the original poster weeks have passed and the original poster didn't indicate any desire to follow up, and the fact that his post was vague enough, I'd say yes.
People did start by saying his virus was not Mac related which is true.
Here's what Google returned on that virus just now ~
"Virus.MSWord.Thus.aa
Detection added Feb 02 2005
Behavior Virus
Currently there is no description available for this program."
Anyhow...seems like an issue that his systems admin. might be able to help him with at work.
Personally, I addresed the "feeling of his post", which referred to "everyone" telling him not to worry about virus's on his Mac, and then disbelief at his having an issue with a "virus".
My reaction to that is
a) a Windows troll (obviously I'm a jaded internet forum user lol)
b) a new Mac user still living in the sad PC world of Viruses and mediocrity
either way...
;D pauly B
If 90% of the world's home computers were Macs and 5% were Windoze...
So-called "Security by Obscurity" never protected Mac OS 9 or earlier from viruses, and it's not what keeps Mac OS X virus-free either.
