Can the techie types here suggest a secure OS for all of us.

Originally posted by Cassey222
A Linux OS is not safe at all from the type of people you are probably wanting to avoid. Linux is Open Source, meaning anyone can get their hands on the source code and find/make a backdoor.

Linux is definitely more secure. The linux kernel will not let anything access your system without asking you for the admin password first. Even if you are logged in as admin.

Much harder to get a virus into a linux system because the user gets prompted for admin password every time no matter what. So if you let anything in its your own fault...

reply to post by Anttyk47


I am getting ready to install Ubuntu Studio 10.04 Lucid Lynx onto a minty fresh SATA HD. Wish me luck.

Atari TOS
As installed on my Atari 520 STFM

I challenge you to find a single trojan that is written for it

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c5920abef274.png[/atsimg]

reply to post by groingrinder


Good luck!

When I did the upgrade to 10.04 it screwed up all my video drivers and still haven't gotten it to work without failsafe mode

10.04 is buggy

reply to post by cupocoffee


to add in agreement with you -- There are zillions of flavors of Linux - Winblows script kiddies can't deal with Linux.

if your planing to use a windows based platform ,
buy one where you can manualy tweak its internal components and read the manual,

if your going for linux , your going to have to manualy tweak its internal components and read the manual,

if your going for unix, your going to have to manualy tweak its internal components and read the manual,

then you buy a router with a built in firewall and get a software based firewall/av on top pf that for your OS,

stop surfing porn and ware sites and make usergroups for your children with restricted access,

buy an external hardrive on to which you save the content you have ,

if you have the means , get your old P1 or equalent and make it your primary computer for web surfing and keep your top of the line computer for work or games.

reply to post by zerbot565


I'm a bit confused here.

Your going to all of that trouble so that you can play games and write some spreadsheets and things for work on a virus free PC?

Isn't it easier just to remove the occasional virus and buy a PS3 / XBox

That is of course unless you are working on something that is of top level importance or a matter of national security in which case you shouldn't have it on a PC that has net access anyway

reply to post by davespanners


Firstly, why would you pay for video games?

Secondly, don't get an apple. Seriously.

I run Linux ubuntu also. As some one said much harder to hack as the hacker cannot drill down to the kernel like in windows. No anti-virus or anti-adware software needed no constant threats I love it. I run fire starter firewall and can monitor anyone who tries to hit the PC. if you want to get hardcore you could really lock down Linux even more but no need to as the hackers all go after windows boxes cause they're to easy to hack.

I still run a windows box to run a few windows apps and I hate it, getting ready to scrap it for good.

reply to post by SpectreDC


Why wouldn't you pay for video games?
A lot of people spent a great deal of time and effort writing and producing them

I don't really see how thats on topic to start with?

reply to post by davespanners


point is no matter what OS you choose you must at least to some degree read a manual and do the tweaking your self ,

reply to post by v1rtu0s0


Yes, but even if that happens, there won't be any information leak, nobody will be able to access the computer, even a backdoor does not harm in a full offline situation, what can they gain by installing a back door? if the computer is not connected to any network? that's just an extra measure, how will you move information to the offline computer? there's always risk, but there are ways to control and mitigate those risks.

Originally posted by Cassey222
A Linux OS is not safe at all from the type of people you are probably wanting to avoid. Linux is Open Source, meaning anyone can get their hands on the source code and find/make a backdoor. May seem counter-intuitive but Windows is the best option merely because you can find a 'gaggle' of applications to help monitor/secure your browsing needs. Best bets are using anti-virus, anti-malware for all those pesky trojans and worms and look into IP masking services for those wanting to track you down.

Opensource means that anyone can view and alter the source code, practically it means that the code can be peer reviewed and most important screened. Proprietary software like Windows, most Smart phones (Android is open source) even MacOS (BSD kernel) is closed source, which is much more insecure.If you want to feel secure any big linux distro will suffice, just be sure to turn on firewall and close down all services (do a netstat -l, lsof -i or ss -l to check what ports and services are open on your system). For all kind communication high encryption is nice, use GPG for email, SSL when visiting websites and so on.

reply to post by rectangle


Theres no fully secure Os´s out there..the reason why microsoft windows is so exposed from virus, hackers, etc,..is it´s high marketshare..if ,ex linux had same marketshare it would to be as vulnerable.. so when the world looking like it does the only safe Os out there is your brain..

Personally I used to use one of the Pendrive linux distros to keep my main system safe and free from naughties..

For USB pendrive linux distros and installation instructions see www.pendrivelinux.com...

Originally posted by rectangle
Would someone who has a strong computer past make suggestions?

Easy, don't connect to the internet. Evar!

No OS is 100% secure. Exploits will always be found and exploited. Best bet is to hide behind a hardware firewall and use a software firewall to allow/disallow programs to connect to the net. Don't download stuff you don't know what is or that doesn't come from trusted sources. (I.e. download.com is a great source.) Install Firefox with these add-ons: AdBlock Plus, NoScript and Grease Monkey. That'll inhibit bad things from latching on to your browser.

Download a decent malware scanner and antivirus.

Keep your computer updated with the latest updates to your OS.



*Edit*
Thought I'd add these:
Linux had a "root exploit", read about it here.

You can make your own Linux hardware firewall. Just buy a cheap used computer and install. You can find out more by clicking here.

I'd also suggest you stay away from wireless. WEP is hacked relatively easily. Plus, people can "sniff" out your details like passwords and the likes over a wlan connection. You won't have that problem using wired.

There's a free PDF out there somewhere regarding Windows XP released by the NSA which discusses in length how to secure a Windows XP system. It's a little outdated now, but provides you with a decent frame to improve upon.

Secure OS?

Grab a linux Kernel (Hurd is very stable & secure) an compile it yourself.
Put up X an Gnome/xfce/... to have a graphical interface
Buy a book about Iptables and firewalls on linux machines. (not guides for Suse, readheat or that crap but Linux/unix with a command shell)
Encrypt your hard drives. Use external Harddisk for sensitive Data and only switch them on if you need them.

Try to use TOR and/or Proxies
You might also want to run a Virtual Machine (an OS in an OS... i.e a Virtual Windows PC on a Linux machine) disconnected from the internet when working with offline data.

Do not save, store edit any sensitive Data on a PC connected to the internet.

Try to get an anonymous e-mail. If you have to link your e-mail with your name use public services (hotmail) and only log in from public internet (inet café, free wifi spots, etc).

etc etc

That's as safe as you can get. As some stated above the most danger to a secure pc sits 20cm in front of it.
One error, one click on a p0rn banner, corrupt site could wipe all of your efforts to secure your system.
Remember too that vulnerabilities in Browser are crossplatform. So java/flash/activex etcetc should be disabled by default. If you have to turn them on only do it in a virtual machine.

The single biggest point of failure in security is..............the user. You can have a "secure" OS running, but if you're goofy enough to do something silly, well then you're what's making things insecure. For example, take your router, default account changed? Default settings changed? What about your current OS? Non-essential services turned off or removed? Default passwords/settings changed? You constantly logged in as an admin?

Any OS can be secure to some degree or another. You just have to educate yourself so you're not the weak link in the chain.

reply to post by Kaifan


Agreed, the only way to have total security on a computer is for it to be disconnected from any type of network, with the certainty that no external devices like thumbdrives, ect will ever be hooked to it. Any OS out there when connected to the interwebs is vulnerable to monitor/hack/crack/virus/ect. You can also have the most secure OS known to man, but that wont do a bit to keep your web traffic from being intercepted on the network level by something such as Carnivore (FBI) or an ISP. Even TOR (which I saw touted on here) is not 100% reliable for network traffic security. Guess who sniffs TOR packages and routs TOR? EVERYBODY that is paranoid about "security/anonymity", anyone trying to hide something, and TOR can be monitored by routing servers, ect and you better believe that most governments have that ability, because they LOVE to look in places where people try to obscenely secure things. You can rely on services such as SFTP for file transfer, ect but that cuts out any web browsing. There are also encrypted proxy servers that you can pay to have usage rights for web browsing but you have to be very careful because who knows if the admins that run them are logging your traffic, ect. Just remember, the more you try to hide yourself and use massive security precautions when online, the more attention you will get. People who have nothing to hide do no go through the effort to use TOR, proxies, ect. There may be some sadists out there that just love FreeBSD as an OS or something, but it is not for 98% of the people out there, and as user friendly as Linux has become, its not for alot of people. Most people I know that use it now use it for the free apps and free everything else that you can get with it, not to try to hide things.... Also if you are worried about viruses, most viruses are spread via web browsers now. Browse with a program like Opera or Firefox. Internet Explorer is the #1 targeted browser for holes because it is installed by default on the most widely used OS in the world. Of course it makes sense to target that browser. Windows 7, firewall, Antivirus/Antispyware and a good browser will keep you in good condition. Oh, and also that Apple OS...dont forget about that. If you want to know what level of sophistication computer monitoring has gotten to, there is an over the counter software called "Golden Eye" that is pretty awesome. BUT - if you have nothing to hide, and arent doing anything wrong, why be so worried....Unless you live in Iran or China....then I totally understand.

reply to post by rectangle


You cannot do anything, as the nsa could probably see what your doing even if your not on the net.