Virtual OS safer than Real OS?

[Bozo]

I read a comment today that basically said; 'I do my surfing and e-mail with a virtual OS. That way when it gets viruses and crap, I just shut it down and everything is cleaned out'. Or something similar.

Are operating systems running in a virtual setup immune to viruses and root kits?

Bozo :joker:

 

[ddrueding]

Pretty much. There was a post a while ago about someone who said they had a way to infect the parent OS, but it's still a ways out I think.

If you don't want to do a whole virtual OS, take a look at sandboxie (coutesy of Merc)

 

[Will Rickards]

Are operating systems running in a virtual setup immune to viruses and root kits?

Technically no, the VMs themselves aren't immune to viruses and rootkits. They get infected just like any other system. But you probably have a point in time copy of the VM from before any infection. Once the VM gets infected you shut it down and replace with the copy before infection. Plus like dd said, infecting the parent OS is more difficult.

You can run the VMs fullscreen and they pretty much feel like you are working with the current system.

 

[Handruin]

If you like the virtual world and want to investigate appliances, take a look at this very popular VM called JanusVM. You can download and use it for free even if you simply use the VMWare player.

 

[ddrueding]

...take a look at this very popular VM called JanusVM...

Wow, that looks really neat. I'll have to test it for deployment to my PITA clients with teenagers.

 

[Bozo]

If you like the virtual world and want to investigate appliances, take a look at this very popular VM called JanusVM. You can download and use it for free even if you simply use the VMWare player.

How is this different than Tor with Privoxy?

Bozo :joker:

 

[ddrueding]

It is Tor with Privoxy, and a bunch of other stuff. Already configured, with another layer of VM protective goodness. (I think, it's early)

 

[Santilli]

Ok. Taking baby steps, using the Sandbox...

It's kind of erie, not hearing any writing doing email, or browsing. I get the feeling I'm actually using RAM, and processors, finally, on this machine. So far, it seems far faster. The email spamware program that used to bog deleting items that were questionable is now much faster.

When I run Adaware, I have no tracking cookies, and, even the OS MSFT tracker is not in use.

I'm still wondering how I would set this up for the SO.

May give it a try.

Doesn't work well for Porn, since it creates a virtual drive to
equal my storage drives, and, when I try and find them from Windows Media Player, I can't. It creates the folder just like the drive, shows the files being there, but I can't get to it from the desktop. Maybe I have to run Windows Media Player from the Sandbox for it to see the virtual G drive...

I could see how this would be addicting. Your entire OS, and most of your functions, all in RAM, blinding fast...

Dr Greg J.D.

 

[Santilli]

How would you set up a virtual OS, like Redhat, on a 2003 Server machine? Seems like for virus protection that would be the best of both worlds...

Thanks

Dr G J.D.

 

[Handruin]

Download the free vmware server.

Download the ISO image for redhat (fedora) or any Linux.

Install vmware server and create a new VM. For the CD-ROm drive settings, point it to the ISO image and it will boot it and load it. Go through the install process. If you need more details let me know.

 

[ddrueding]

I'll second VMWare server. Downloading a Linux ISO and doing the install from scratch is a nice learning experience, but you can also just download a ready-to-roll VW from their website.

 

[Santilli]

Hi
Something wrong with MSFT's version?

Already installed, but it seems I trashed my last Redhat CD's....

Thanks

Greg

 

[Santilli]

Hi
Something wrong with MSFT's version?

Already installed, but it seems I trashed my last Redhat CD's....

Thanks

Greg

Anyone have a quick, latest update link they use for Fedora, or a version of RedHat, or suggestions for other versions of Linux?

 

[Handruin]

Try Ubuntu. Linux doesn't get much easier than that.

If you don't want that, try OpenSuSe.

 

[ddrueding]

I'll second Ubuntu. It's really the easiest one I've used.

 

[Santilli]

Hi
Anyone used MSFT's version of a virtual disk, or, am I the lil pig?

Dr Greg J.D.

PS thanks. I'll try Ubuntu.

 

[ddrueding]

I've used MS' virtual server, but it simply wasn't as easy to use or as stable. It was also a fair bit slower, and had issues with Linux VMs.

 

[Sol]

Doesn't work well for Porn, since it creates a virtual drive to
equal my storage drives, and, when I try and find them from Windows Media Player, I can't. It creates the folder just like the drive, shows the files being there, but I can't get to it from the desktop. Maybe I have to run Windows Media Player from the Sandbox for it to see the virtual G drive...

Maybe you need to share the virtual G drive over a virtual network since your on a separate virtual machine. That's what I generally do with VMs... I'm wondering if I can get the word virtual in to this post one more time but it seems that would be virtually impossible...

Sorry... Really...

 

[Bozo]

Hi
Anyone used MSFT's version of a virtual disk, or, am I the lil pig?

Dr Greg J.D.

PS thanks. I'll try Ubuntu.

I tried both MS Virtual Server and MS Virtual PC. Neither worked well with any *nix OS.

Bozo :joker:

 

[Santilli]

Installed VMware, but, I can' figure out what to do with the Ubuntu iso-386. Copied it to a CD, but, I can't get the VM to see it on boot...

Plus, it keeps defaulting to DVD Decrypter to open it.

Really weird.

Dr G J.D.

 

[Handruin]

Create a new VM and go into the settings of that VM. Look for the CD-ROM section. In there will be an option for you to use the CD-ROM drive, or an ISO file. Select browse and point it to the ISO. You shouldn't need to copy it to a CD, but even then it should work.

Unfortunately I can't install vmware server to confirm this because I have vmware workstation (not free) on my system. Maybe David can correct me if I'm wrong in helping you. It should be close to what I mentioned.

 

[Adcadet]

I'll third Ubuntu. It's my no-brainer go to linux distro.

Hey Greg - unless I am totally misunderstanding things (very possible, was in the CCU for the past few days), you realize you're using both the "Dr" title and the doctorate degree initials (JD) after your name? I was under the impression that doing such was a big no-no. Why, I have no idea. Thought somebody here could clarify for me.

Dr. 'Cadet

 

[Santilli]

I'm making a bit of fun of academia. I get REALLY sick of some principal taking a correspondence school in some absurd form of educational discipline, like psychology, Philosophy(my major), and using the term 'Dr.' before their name.
Also, having the student loans to prove it, I find it ironic that a super difficult discipline like law doesn't have some sort of likewise form of recognition.


Still can't get this stupid VWARE program to load the cd, or for that matter the disk image, to load the OS
DR G

 

[Santilli]

Well, it appears I burned the ISO as data, and not a disk image. We'll see how it goes as soon Nero finishes this time...

DR G J.D.

 

[timwhit]

You could just download one of these ready to go VMWare images, then all you have to do it open it and it's ready to go. No installation necessary.

 

[Adcadet]

I'm making a bit of fun of academia. I get REALLY sick of some principal taking a correspondence school in some absurd form of educational discipline, like psychology, Philosophy(my major), and using the term 'Dr.' before their name.
Also, having the student loans to prove it, I find it ironic that a super difficult discipline like law doesn't have some sort of likewise form of recognition.

Ah, I see. But technically the D in JD does qualify you as a "Dr." last I heard, though I suppose it's rarely used.

Dr. A, BAMPHMD

 

[Santilli]

Yes, it's 'Juris doctor' or doctrate, and it's a doctorate degree, and, it's more intense then most.

Meanwhile, I got the Iso up, but, it doesn't want to run, missing something, to just boot off that.

Then, I can't get the Virtual machine to see the ISO, and, even though I point it to the DVD/CD drive, it won't see the ISO as something to open, only individual folders, and none seem to have the vmx file it wants to open...

Now I remember why I love Linux...

Dr Greg

 

[timwhit]

Try one of the VMWare images. I just downloaded one and it is already running.

 

[Handruin]

Greg, I think there is something missing in there. If the window is looking for a vmx file, you're trying to open the wrong thing.

Do as timwhit suggested and download the pre-made images for now (see his earlier post). Once I can get the vmware server installed, I'll send you some instructions so you can try it on your own if you want to do it the other way. This isn't a Linux issue, it's just the vmware tool that is causing you the confusion.

 

[Bozo]

I'm making a bit of fun of academia. I get REALLY sick of some principal taking a correspondence school in some absurd form of educational discipline, like psychology, Philosophy(my major), and using the term 'Dr.' before their name.
Also, having the student loans to prove it, I find it ironic that a super difficult discipline like law doesn't have some sort of likewise form of recognition.


Still can't get this stupid VWARE program to load the cd, or for that matter the disk image, to load the OS
DR G

I believe lawyers are ESQ at the end of their name.

Bozo :joker:

 

[Santilli]

Thanks for the link, Timwhit. Downloading now. Funny part is it appears VMware had an installation already present of Ubuntu, but, I couldn't get it to load and open from VMWARE, nor could I get the disk to load, either on boot, or from VMWARE. Some missing file message...

G J.D.

 

[Santilli]

Hi
I think the patch I put on 2003 Server to make it seem like XP to programs has done just that. I think somehow VMware sees XP, and won't install on it, despite appearing to go on and do so.

I've tried again, and I get a message that VMWare only runs on server software. So, I could completely reinstall, without the patch, or just leave it, and, right now, leave it is winning.

G esq.