Can you Run Windows Software on Mac?

There are some programs in Mac which support Windows. You can surely run Windows programs irrespective of business software or PC games. These techniques are similar to the ways Windows software can be installed on Chromebook or Linux. Below given the ways to run Windows software on Mac:

Virtual Machine is a good method to run Windows desktop software. They would allow you to install Windows as well as other operating systems in the window on Mac desktop. Windows would think it’s running on actual system, but it is running inside the piece of software on Mac. You need not use Windows program in virtual machine window. The program permits you to bring out Windows programs from virtual machine window so that it appears on Mac desktop. However the 3D graphics would not perform well. There would be several games which cannot be played. 

Boot Camp helps you to install Windows with OS X on Mac. At a time only one operating system can run thus having to restart Mac to toggle between Windows and OS X. The problem here is that you cannot run Mac and Windows application simultaneously. If you just want to run a Windows desktop application alongside your Mac applications, a virtual machine is the best.  

Run Windows Software on Ubuntu with Wine

Wine is a compatibility layer which allows Windows applications to run on some other operating systems. Wine would write Windows code again which applications depend, so that they can be executed on various other operating systems. Wine is way to run Windows applications on Mac. There is no graphical interface.

Crossover comes under the category of paid application, but no free trial is offered. This focuses on compatibility. A good graphical interface is provided and emphasis is on popular programs. You can view list of programs that would run well on Crossover. Despite being focused on compatibility it is based on Wine and would not work with everything. Here you need not run any virtual machine. However if you run it then you would be able to execute any Windows program with not much risk. 

Access Windows Remote Desktop via Internet

You can obliterate the method of running Windows software on Mac and use remote desktop software in order to access remote Windows system running Windows application of your choice. Those organizations which have business software runs on Windows and can host Windows servers as well as make applications available to iPads, Chromebooks, Android tablet and others. If you are a home user then you could configure Windows PC for accessing remotely and connect whenever you require Windows application. This is not perfect for something like games. If you are user of Chrome then you can make use of Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to Windows PC from your Mac running Chrome.

All these tricks require more work than installing a Windows program on the PC. If you have a Mac focuses on making use of Mac software. Windows programs would not be integrated properly.  You would have to buy a Windows license for Mac to achieve good compatibility.

Use Private Mode of a Browser

The modern day browsers are packed with features. One of them is the private or the incognito mode. Though it is known to be used for all wrong reasons but this mode is used not only for that. This mode helps you to browse privately but would not be able to keep the browsing activities secret from ISP or online spy.

This erases search, browsing activities and abandon tracking cookies you pick-up during your incognito session. You can activate the privacy mode for Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer. There are many websites who hides come content but allow you to view limited content for free prior persuading you to pay some amount.   

If the browser is in private mode no cookies would be allowed and whenever you visit the soft paywall site, the visitor would be considered fresh who has a limit of ten articles say. With the introduction of Tablets, ultra portable laptops and smartphones, now people need not visit internet café in order to access online accounts. However there are public PCs which are not maintained properly as well as not erase browsing history at the end of the session. Use this mode when you are surfing in a public system. It cannot be considered as a foolproof but if used combined with a site that does not store password then this is highly effective.   

There are several reasons as to why you want to cover the tracks while searching for details. Say if you want to get details about a medical condition then it should not pop up while other family members use the PC. May be you are shopping online for any surprise gift. There are endless reasons for keeping it concealed.   

You are not made anonymous on the net with this utility. The ISP, sites or the employer can track the pages you visit. You would not be protected from spyware or key loggers that would be installed on the system. It would not save visited pages, new passwords, new downloads list, cookies, cached and offline web content as well as User Data. While the new bookmarks crated would not be deleted. 

Does your PC Require an Outbound Firewall?

Windows has an in built firewall that blocks inbound connections. If the program acts as a server then Windows would prompt you. This firewall allows you to connect without your permission. Windows firewall shows a single application related firewall prompt. When the application wants to function as a web server, prompt appears informing this. If you allow, then applications can receive incoming connections from the net or even local network. You would have to forward the ports on router if application is not supportive of UPnP forwarding it automatically.

These are not frequent and not easy to deal with. Whenever an application wants to connect Internet or local network you get to see a prompt. If connection is declined, the firewall would prevent application from connecting.

Outbound firewalls are not that useful for an average user. These prevent applications on computer from connecting online. If you get to see a malware which is connecting then you are in trouble as it is running on the computer. The malware does lot of damage. 

If the program was running on the system and had access then it would open loopholes in firewall program. Malware could ally with other programs in order to communicate over net. It is not easy to isolate any particular application from the net. 

Outbound firewall is quite effective against any type of malware. Focus is mainly on effective antivirus program thereby keeping it updated and ensuring that Java is not installed. This would keep PC more secure compared to an antivirus which would not be that effective. If for once the system has been compromised then it cannot be undone.   

However geeks feel that this application would block apps which cannot be trusted blindly. However no unreliable application should be allowed to run on the system. Outbound firewalls cannot be totally discarded. In case you have some particular need and want to prevent the application from connecting to net then this can be valuable. However not many require this. 

You can also make use of Windows Firewall in order to create a rule to block the application from connecting to net. If you are configuring any server then this can be done to arrange outbound firewall rules thereby locking the machine.  

You can surely install an external firewall on Windows PC and avail benefits of the software. Sure, you could install a third-party firewall on your Windows PC and get outbound firewall capabilities. You should be able to control applications which connect with net.   

However every application would be connecting to the net for updates. Most programs on computer connect for some reason or the other. 

While outbound firewalls are not harmful they do not come with many disadvantages. It would take up more system resources and irritate you to upgrade. In case it is part of internet security suite it adds up to other programs which are not required in the system. 

The firewall adds complexity. You have to determine which applications should or must not connect. You would not surely like to deal with prompts always. On the other hand if you want to manage programs on the system which can connect easily, then install an external firewall.