Best OS set up for virus "almsot "immune system

[spaceman_1]

Hi all, I am planning to build my own computer and I would like a system as much as possible immune from virus , malware attacks. linux would be the best thing to install, but this would prevent me from gaming and using other apps. I am not keen on spending money in antiviruses and don't fully trust the free antiviruses for windows. I would ideally like to have a system where both OS (i.e. Win 7 and Linux) run simultaneusly on the same machine without having to dual boot and only Linux is allowed to access the internet. Would be vitual machine the only option or there could be some other set up possible?

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

If you want NO dual boot and two OS, the only option is a virtual machine. Then Linux is primary and Windows is a guest system... in that case, it's also very easy to block Windows from the Internet.

However, gaming will be more of a problem, because virtual machine Windows will not be as fast as native Windows.

1) I don't see why you're afraid of dual-boot.

2) Malware is a boogeyman of the past; nowadays it's enough to switch off Autorun in Windows 7 and not click on anything suspicious. And free antiviruses are rather trustworthy... paid ones like Kaspersky are actually worse in some aspects >:-(

3) Unless you're already familiar with Linux, you want to avoid it.

 

[zooted]

If you want NO dual boot and two OS, the only option is a virtual machine. Then Linux is primary and Windows is a guest system... in that case, it's also very easy to block Windows from the Internet.

However, gaming will be more of a problem, because virtual machine Windows will not be as fast as native Windows.

1) I don't see why you're afraid of dual-boot.

2) Malware is a boogeyman of the past; nowadays it's enough to switch off Autorun in Windows 7 and not click on anything suspicious. And free antiviruses are rather trustworthy... paid ones like Kaspersky are actually worse in some aspects >:-(

3) Unless you're already familiar with Linux, you want to avoid it.

+1

 

[geofelt]

Hi all, I am planning to build my own computer and I would like a system as much as possible immune from virus , malware attacks. linux would be the best thing to install, but this would prevent me from gaming and using other apps. I am not keen on spending money in antiviruses and don't fully trust the free antiviruses for windows. I would ideally like to have a system where both OS (i.e. Win 7 and Linux) run simultaneusly on the same machine without having to dual boot and only Linux is allowed to access the internet. Would be vitual machine the only option or there could be some other set up possible?

Most malware and viruses come in through social engineering attacks. If you are savvy about clicking on unsage links, e-mail. and phishing, you have little to worry about.
Microsoft security essentials is free, and is very good, particularly about warning you of suspicious web sites.

Windows 7 64 bit has one of the lowest malware infection rates, vastly lower than XP.
As more people use linux, you can expect attacks on linux systems to increase. The vulnerabilities are there.

I suggest you do the following if you are really worried:

1) Use windows 7 64 bit with MSE.
2) Do a proper job of backing up your system to an External device.
3) Just be savvy about where you go to and what you click on. Porn sites are notoriously unsafe.
4) Use a router as an additional level of protection wether or not you need one.

 

[leandrodafontoura]

Friend, I believe Windows will serve you well. However you may try Linux in order to improve you user experience. The good news is that dual booting is extremely easy to do so, is nothing complicated and it will not give you headaches or anything, let me cover some poinsts:

Firstly, you mentioned Linux would prevent you from gaming and using other apps. Well, thats half true. Linux will not prevent you from "other apps". Any app you want to use has an equal in the Linux enviroment, and for free. Computers have evolved. As a matter of fact, Linux has a button to a "download center", you just type what you want and you get it installed. Its that easy. BTW, the same can be said for Mac OS, you wont miss anything on the "Apps" side

However, you gonna have to acess Windows in order to play games. It has to run natively. If you virtualize it, you will spend system resources on it, and you will not have a good gaming experience.

Now, I have to point to the fact that in order to browse safely on a windows enviroment you dont necessarally need a paid anit-virus. As long as you browse safe sites, email, facebook etc, you are fine with AVG or Microsfot Security Essentials. However, if you do plan on acessing "suspecious" sites, then you need a paid option. Or you may go with a diferent OS, wich are safe for the moment, but its seems like that will change in the future as these OSs are getting more and more popular.

You know what, you might do good with simply windows and a free anti-virus. However, you may dual-boot for the experience of tasting another OS. Its extremely easy, specially if you are running Windows and will install Linux:

1)From Windows, go to Linux ubuntu website and download the "installer". Run the program. Simply click yes on everything. When the PC reboots, it will automatically give you a dualboot screen for Windows and Linux. Its that simple. Its impossible to screw up.

2)Linux is straightforward to use, as long as you are not small minded. On the left side there is a "similar task bar" wich have all the apps. That includes a giant Firefox button and a giant Word processor button. Its impossible to miss.

So you have the options available to you, its your choice. GL

 

[amk-aka-Phantom]

On the left side there is a "similar task bar" wich have all the apps. That includes a giant Firefox button and a giant Word processor button. Its impossible to miss.

That's only Canonical's blasphemous Unity... other Linuxes might not have it