Parallels/XP Pro SP2 Security Question

T

TobyT

Hunter
I'm planning on disabling the internet connection for the guest OS (XP Pro SP2) because I will be using only the Mac for all email and internet research. In addition, the Mac/Parallels 5.0 sits behind a router. This being the case, do I still need to load anti-virus into the guest OS? I had to completely remove previous anti-virus (Avast, the paid-for version), anti-malware and Commodo firewall software in order to get Parallels Tools properly installed. I'd prefer not having to use the anti-virus, etc. software because it slows everything down. I'm done updating Windows because too often doing so "breaks" something else. If I can contain Windows and not allow it any contact with the outside world, shouldn't that suffice?

All I'll be doing on the Windows vm is using database/spreadsheet/word processing software and then printing to a network printer. Other than sharing files with the Mac, no file sharing will be used. Occasionally, files from these programs will be used as email attachments.
Leslie
 
in common case if your guest Windows won't have access to Internet and if you want just to use it to create some documents there and send as E-mail attachments with Apple software - antivirus is optional. But obviously you won't just creating files inside Windows but also use Word and etc. to read documents received outside which potentially can be infected with viruses and your guest Windows will be infected. So i recommend you to install and activate antivirus software in any case.
 
Thank you for the quick response. I make a point of NOT using any Microsoft software, other than the OS and OneNote. Therefore, I do not ever open anything in Word, Excel, etc. I open my Apple mail under the Mac. It's possible I might transfer an attachment to the Windows vm where text would be opened in WordPerfect; images in PaintShop Pro. I don't "use" anybody else's work by cutting/pasting it into my own either. Would this make a difference?
 
Maybe, but so many actions required from you in this case - total control of all data flow between OSes. Does it make sense?
 
All right, I'll yield and get load an anti-virus program. They always seem to slow things down, though, and I'm finding (since upgrading to 5.0) that it takes two forevers for the Windows desktop to come out of suspension.
 
TobyT said:
All right, I'll yield and get load an anti-virus program. They always seem to slow things down, though, and I'm finding (since upgrading to 5.0) that it takes two forevers for the Windows desktop to come out of suspension.
Click to expand...

TobyT,

do you mean, that you experience a slow VM resume in PD5? Can you provide some details please:
1. How long does it take?
2. Did you perform host reboot between suspend and resume operations?
3. How much RAM is assigned to VM?
 
Response to Query

1. I haven't timed the precise length of time for the VM to come out of Suspension. But, I've watched the little "clock" flash past 100. My practice has been to suspend the Windows VM whenever I leave for any period of time and put the Apple Mac Mini to sleep afterward.

2. I upgraded to 5.0 and Parallels set the RAM to 1432. I haven't touched the bar. Previously, it was at 1024. At the moment I have the standard 2GB of RAM for the Mac.

3. Last night I completely shut down the vm, as well as the Mac Mini (to see if I could get the sound system working). This morning, the VM loaded within a reasonable time and my Windows desktop came up much faster than before AND with the icons properly distributed.

So, it may be that complete shutdown after the upgrade was required. Let me see what happens the next time I suspend Windows and I'll post again.
TobyT
 
Black Outs

The total shutdown seems to have solved the slow wakeup problem. Everything is as speedy as usual and the formerly slow OneNote transfer of data is back up to normal speed prior to transporting my Windows "computer" to the virtual machine.

The only problem I'm having is off and on blackouts on my display screen. They are usually fairly short, but can occur while I'm actually typing in data in the virtual machine. There can be relatively long periods between black outs, but they can also occur one right after the other. It is really annoying. Usually, if the screen goes black and I'm NOT actually typing there (as right now), I have to move the mouse around to end a black out.

Any ideas as to why and what I can do to stop them?
Leslie
 
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