Using Windows software on a Mac is as simple as installing one of three tools: Nova Development’s Parallels, VMWare’s Fusion, or Apple’s Boot Camp. But of these three, only Parallels and Fusion supply the essential anti-viral component that every Windows installation requires.

This month I’ve installed the latest Version 5 of Parallels, as well as a trial copy of Fusion 3, on the Mac I use as a test system. (It’s a Mini with 3GB of memory, one that accesses the Internet though a wireless network port, since the Mini comes with a built-in Airport card. The 3GB is essential, since these Windows emulators suck up memory.) I can report the Fusion installation is smoother and tinkers less with a Mac’s user environment. Fusion uses McAfee anti-virus software, quite the brand name among Windows users. Parallels replies on the Kapersky Anti-Virus suite. Parallels seems to offer a half-dozen ways of using Windows alongside your Mac environment, but this slight of hand goes so far as to install folders on your Dock to speed up access to Windows programs. This trick erased a couple of useful Dock icons for my databases on the Mac side, demonstrating that Parallels Version 5 is like so many other versions of the software: buggy, with lots of fixes (long downloads) needed for stability.

Another thing that gets tricky about using these products is the constant updating that Windows users endure. Microsoft seems to add patches on a weekly basis to Windows (I use XP Home, very affordable) — so if your Windows use is infrequent, every startup of these environments will include downloads and restarts to get Windows into a secure state.

The anti-viral tools need their own updates religiously, too. This is a separate set of updates. In my tests I’ve found there’s an order to be recognized here: get the anit-virals updated first, even though Windows will ask you to restart itself before the anti-virals get their updates downloaded.

The process of running Windows on a Mac, essential for any programs you may need for your business that don’t have Mac versions, is an eye-opener about security. Don’t believe the Apple commercials about viruses, no matter how entertaining they are: Macs run on a variant of Unix, an operating system with plenty of security holes. Visiting the Windows world with Parallels or Fusion makes you aware how lucky we Mac users are, simply because there are fewer of us. We present a smaller target to the virus hackers, so we enjoy Security by Obscurity.

While there isn’t a wave of religion about security on the Mac yet, spyware and bot-ware can infect a system in surprising ways. Javascript, which drives so many Web sites, has become the most popular culprit. A simple visit to a popular Web site like Expedia for travel arrangements can get you infected. There are a handful of good Mac security tools to ensure that if anything jumps from your Windows environment to the Mac, you will know you’re being infected. Eradicating the dirty work is another matter.

ClamXav is a freeware viral solution for the Macs. You can download it and update its databases — the signatures of known viruses — but you’re relying on volunteer efforts to stay secure. Probably not the best choice for a business Mac user.

Intego Software sells Virus Barrier and NetBarrier software, at about $50 each, to cover both the gateways into your Mac (NetBarrier) and neutralizing the viruses and malware that might get inside. On that latter task, Intego also offers a new, standalone tool, Washing Machine. This program, included with NeBarrier X5, erases data that Web browsers store automatically — so hackers have less chance of infecting your system.

Washing Machine can clean five types of items: Bookmarks, Caches, Cookies, Download Histories, and Browsing Histories. It works with most web browsers, and many utilities or other programs that store information behind your back. It even cleans up after some programs that you would never think are storing data. But Washing Machine knows about them, and is ready to clean up after them.

There’s also a fine security suite that controls the power of the Mac’s built-in firewall. DoorStop X Security Suite is $79 and even includes a comprehensive instruction manual about security for the Mac. Things are safer on a Mac than on a Windows system, but on the doorstep of 2010 it’s folly to think anybody can surf and work securely without some of this help. At the least, download and use Clam Xav. Cleaning up a hack will cost you more lost time than buying all of these tools together.

Tags: Fusion, Parallels, virus