New to VirtualBox Questions about Best Windows version?

[Sunfishb]

Hello All,
I'm new to the virtual world and have consistently had two computers. My Mac for photos and music and the work computer for all the Microsoft office and statistical packages I've had to use over the years. I'm hoping to find a solution in the VirtualBox software. I currently use multiple graphic and statistical packages on my PC, but would like to be able to use these programs on my Mac.

Programs that I frequently use are: Adobe creative suite CS4, Sigma plot, Systat and SAS

My questions:

1. Which is the best Windows operating system to run in Virtual Box on a Macbook Intel core 2 duo? Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7? I need to know which one to buy.

2. Do I have to worry about viruses on getting into my mac through the virtualization software? Do I need to also purchase a virus-scan software program? It is my hope that while running Windows I would not need to access the internet.

Any help would be great!!

[Sasquatch]

1. I would personally go with Windows 7. Vista sucks, it's too heavy to be virtualized and XP is near end of life.

2. You always need to take security into consideration. There are some free anti-virus software, like AVG, Avast! Home, Avira, Comodo (includes a firewall too), and the new Microsoft package, so buying wouldn't be needed. As for virus spreading to your Mac, search for that on the forums here, it's been discussed several times.