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General discussion

Knoppix on a CD and internet connections

by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 20, 2006 9:57PM PDT

I've had Knoppix on a CD for a while and have investigated it a few times. I use a Dell 8300 with Windows XP Pro and a broadband connection through NTL, (UK ISP).

I've just been using it again, and decided to see what the Konqueror browser was like. I didn't realise, (naively of course), that I had full internet access. It was a jaw dropping experience when I typed in Google and the site came up!! Happy

My question is, "how safe am I?"

I know the Linux based OS's are less prone to viruses and other malware attacks, but do I still need any protection like a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware?

If so, how would I install them if I am running Knoppix off a CD? My current XP OS has all of these, but of course they are not running whilst I'm using Knoppix.

Excuse my ignorance in this. I am a newcomer to Knoppix.

Many thanks in advance.

Mark

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Pretty dang safe. Here's why.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 20, 2006 11:44PM PDT

The boot and login is not a root account and on most systems does not give write access to hard disks. We also have a natural firewall since services are well defined (unlike Windows with hidden services.)

Let's see if Secunia has any notes about this?

http://secunia.com/search/?search=KNOPPIX found 1 item from last year that was patched.

Try that on Internet Explorer.

Bob

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(NT) (NT) Mozilla browser should also be on there, Mark.
by chuckieu Jun 21, 2006 3:47AM PDT
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Thanks Bob, chuckieu
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 21, 2006 4:35AM PDT

Secunia search for Internet Explorer, found, 2871 viruses, Happy

None for Knoppix.

I didn't realise Mozilla was on the CD as well chuckieu.

My mind is at ease.

Mark

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Correction
by MarkFlax Forum moderator Jun 21, 2006 5:24AM PDT

Small correction. It was Firefox I was using, (and am now from the Knoppix CD).

I see I have a lot to learn. I'm not sure where I found Konqueror from now, or what it was! Happy

Mark

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Mea Culpa!!!!!
by chuckieu Jun 22, 2006 4:18AM PDT

You made me realize I hadn't updated my Knoppix to 4.0.2. It does indeed use Firefox (downloaded and burned this morning). I was still using v3.7, which did use Mozilla. chuck

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If you want to install linux
by angryfirelord Jun 23, 2006 12:01AM PDT

I'm not sure if Knoppix can be installed to the hard drive, but I recently got something called SimplyMEPIS which looks almost the same as Knoppix (both use the KDE desktop). It detected all of my hardware including my Wi-Fi card which never happened before on other distos. All you do is boot the LiveCD and click on the INSTALL ME icon on the desktop. The only tricky part about installing is if you want to dual boot (keep Windows and linux on the same hard drive). You'll have to know how to use the partition tool (which is simple to use).

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All of the Live CDs
by chuckieu Jun 23, 2006 7:06AM PDT

I've tried (including Knoppix) have the "install to harddrive" feature, as well as "make boot floppies". I have needed the floppies on a few older computers. chuck

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