If I am constantly plagued by malware attacks from websites and p2p programs, would it be better...?

Question

to do all my internet activity via linux, and use windows only for offline programs? Would this solve the problem, or is it more trouble than its worth?

To retiredslash...
Yeah, running an os only in RAM is very viable, especially now that people have up to 4GB of RAM. That sounds like a good solution. I don't want to keep running spyware scans and formatting the drive every 6 months.

Answer 1

I use Linux for well over 95% of all computer activity. Spyware? Trojans? Viruses? What are they? Heh, heh.

Here is a suggestion that covers both issues. Today, the latest and greatest is called "live CD's". Download, or buy cheap CD's for a distro that is a live CD. (www.cheapbytes.com of google for others.)

That means you put the Live CD in your CD drive, and boot on it. It need not be installed in HD.

There are a number of them. One small one that I use on SBC/ATT high speed Internet is puppy. It runs totally in Ram, since it is less than 71MB. I boot on it, I start downloading Linux stuff to take to Mexico with me, open the tiny browser in it, and surf Yahoo Answers or anything else I want while the iso downloads. then, since I can remove the puppy CD as soon as it is booted, I can then burn my iso to the same CD writer I booted on. (Bigger live CD's can't be removed as long as they run.)

Another good one is Kubuntu, or Kanotix or Mandriva Live.

Some people use only a Live CD, and never run a HD OS. There is a way to put a very small personal profile on HD, while the distro runs in Ram, off the live CD. So, every family member can have a personal profile, including bookmarks, and when they turn it off, there were no trojans; no spyware installed on HD, and all history is instantly wiped out.

At the same time, if you leave out the live CD, you boot back into Windows.

Frankly, there are only a few things one really needs Windows for. Games, unless you pay for online games in Linux. Possibly AutoCad, and PhotoShop, though most users get along fine with GIMP, which comes with good linux distros.

OpenOffice is pretty standard for main distro live CD's, and it can open and edit and save again the vast majority of MS office files, including Power Point, Excel, and, well, all of them. the only problems have been for power macro users, far beyond the normal macro user.

Those who tell you it's too much trouble almost always have never done it. when I put puppy in my old Dell Inspiron 2650, all I do is connect the router by NIC cable, boot, wait, then click on the browser symbol, and tell it which URL I want.

By the way, it is possible on most versions of puppy to save downloads or files to the HD, though it is not necessary. clearly, since I am downloading iso's, I am saving them, and later delete them.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

First of all, are your virus definitions up to date? Is your anti virus program updated? Did you perform the most recent Windows Updates - most of them involve security patches - and kept up with them? If not, update immediately.

Do you use a firewall, anti spyware/adware? If you don't have these, get them now.

Before you do anything else, make sure that you are well versed in securing and knowing how to keep your PC secured. Changing the operating system will not solve the problem.

After you have ensured that you have everything in place...

1. Boot up into safe mode and run your virus scan on the entire system. Follow directions if you find a virus.
2. Run any other security software on your PC.
3. Get out of Safe Mode and boot the system normally.
4. Backup your personal files and programs that you do not have a CD or floppy of.

Even if you use Windows for offline programs, the problem is that you can still infect the entire system, even if partitioned, if you don't practice safe security procedures.

I suggest having a robust antivirus program. 2-3 spyware blockers, 2-3 adware blockers - or a combo program - , an anti-rootkit and a firewall installed.

Answer 4

Ok, first of all, I'm no expert, so the advice I'm giving you is just from my personal experience.

A few months back I had a problem with a LOT of spyware, malware, adware, etc. I tried to use tons of programs and internet support forums to clean my computer out, but it just kept getting worse. Finally, I just backed up all my important files and reinstalled windows. If you do this too, just MAKE SURE you have everything you need backed up before you start. It got rid of the spyware problems, and it was nice having my computer back to factory settings for a while.

I guess you could just switch between OS's, but it just seems like more trouble than its worth. It really depends on how much you are online/offline.

Answer 5

remove linux and install windows xp have a good firewall on the system and dont use p2p programs