Virtual OS

Greetings everyone, wasn't sure whether to post here or in the Malware forum. Since it's a question on software, I elected to post it here first.

My question is the effectiveness of software that provides a virtual OS environment and how effective these are at keeping your system clean of malware, spyware and viruses.

I was looking at Returnil System Safe 2011, however, wanted to know if there was one that someone on here would recommend above all others if these are in fact effective.

Thanks for any advice and feedback.

~Pauliwood

 

Thanks Halo,

I safe surf. It's more or less a question because wifey goes to Facebook. Other than that it's news webpages and online gaming (Warcrack).

We use Avira as our anti virus and Pctools as our firewall along with regular scans with Super Antispyware and Malwarebtyes Anti-Malware.

My thought was, if I used the above mentioned programs, with a virtual OS, it would provide another layer of protection.

No "spare" copies of Windows hanging around, just upgraded to Windows 7.

Will wait and see if anyone else has feedback on Returnil or similar programs. Will also check out Acronis True Image.

Thanks!

 

I use VMware Player and have Ubuntu 10.04LTS installed in it. Whatever virtual machine software you use, keep in mind you, if you want to install Windows as a virtual machine (VM), you should have a separate software licence for that installation of Windows. In other words, installling Windows as a VM requires a legal software license, same as when installing Windows in the normal (non-virtual) way.

So, since Ubuntu and the other Linux distros are free, that makes them an ideal choice for installing as a VM. Here's an image of an older version of VMware Player with an older version of Ubuntu installed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VMware_Player.png

If you try VMware Player, I suggest installed VMware Tools (an option) which adds some enhanced features such as the ability to copy and paste between an application running in your VM (Ubuntu or whatever) and your primary OS.

 

Thanks USAFVeteran,

That is unfortunate about the licensing. I purchased Windows 7 for both my laptop and desktop. Both are already activated and registered with Microsoft. I wonder if I can run my old Vista license under a virtual machine.

Will check out VMware, and possibly take a look at Unbuntu. Wouldn't be a problem on my laptop, I'd have fun toying around with it, for wifey's Pc, has to be simple. Change is painful, so if it's not easy and similar to what is running now, it won't fly.

Thanks for the tips !

 

+1 to that combo as I love WMWare Player but Halo is spot on, one can't surf with admin rights and not expect to get burnt at some point in time. I've been relatively lucky these past 8 years but I don't go and click on everything either. Maybe set up an account where one could download stuff but have no permissions to install. It could be grounds for a marital fight though!:innocent :-D

There has to be a balance between being paranoid and how much is one willing to pay, be it one's time or money, to feel safe. Heck, I bank online w/o much more security than Paul has and feel safe.

Oh, running a Virtual OS takes up a lot of resources, is your machine up to the task Paul?

 

Thanks Halo,

Yeah, I don't really use the desktop all that much, I have her account and an admin account in case I need to get in there and fix stuff. Right now she has admin access, i could restrict that though.

As for safe surfing, I try to stay on top of what this site recommends in the malware prevention forums. Just seems like, even with that protection, Pc still get littered with tracking cookies and some spyware. I believe it's from Facebook, because she rarely if ever installs anything.

I've used the Easus To-Do backup, when my system was still running Vista. I should start to back it up more regularly though, like you said, in case something happens, won't have to revert back too far if something happens.

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyhow.

If a system is backed up while it is clean, and it gets infected with Spyware or a virus, and the Pc is reverted back to a previous saved clean copy, that virus is no longer there? It gets overwritten, right?

Thanks again.

 

auggie,

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, the only way it would cause a stir is if she tried to do something and it said she needed admin right. Do automatic software updates cause a "you do not have admin rights to perform this action" message? Like say, if Skype wanted to update itself?

I bank online also, and don't think about it, because I have my protection in place. Plus, even if they did hack me, they can only get so far with my $20 after bill are paid each month!

When you talk resources, I believe you are talking processor, ram and HDD space?
I run 4 gigs or Ram, which is a waste, cause on the 32-Bit Windows OS, it only sees/uses 3. Didn't know that when I first got my PC's with Vista forced down my throat cause Microshaft didn't want new PCs being sent out with XP.

HDD space. On my desktop, I've got over 200 gigs, on my laptop, over 100gigs.

Processor speed, I believe my laptop is 2.4GHz, Intel Dual Core.

Can't be sure of my desktop, it's older, may be 1.7GHz?

 

You don't sound like you install many applications as a routine, so a backup every couple of weeks or even a month is not unreasonable. Just keep your important photos/documents etc. backed up somewhere else, I keep mine on CD and gmail.

As to reverting back, if the machine was clean then then it's clean now.

Ya, it would give one a message like that 'no admin rights', but then she could have an admin acct. to let the obvious through.

Yes, resources is CPU/RAM etc. The 1.7GHz might balk at a VM thrown in, just keep start up programs to the bare minimum. If the 4gigs of RAM are in your desktop, then that's not a problem, just the CPU. Your laptop would run a VM better being a dual core.

BTW, please don't blame MS for the 3.XX GB RAM limit, that's a hardware limit be it Windows, MAC or Linux 32-bit, you would need a 64-bit equivalent which I believe would give you about 128GB possible RAM.

 

Hey Augie,

Yeah, I bought a portable WD 1.5TB HDD, and have saved my EASus To-Do backups to that. Last time I did so was when I still had Vista installed, now that I have the minor kinks worked out of my Windows 7 installs, I really should back it up again, in case I need to revert back. I also have another folder on that drive for Photos and documents.

Nah, I don't blame MS for the 3gigs of recognized Ram, just for forcing me to go with Vista on my Laptop and Desktop when I wanted them shipped with XP. After I bought my laptop, 6 months later, the option started appearing to buy new PCs for a slightly higher cost with XP. Hence, part of my frustration with MS.

Anyhow, thanks for the advice, may try the virtual desktop on my laptop.

 

Augie,

I had one more quick question, my apologies for my ignorance. You mention it is a hardware issue with the OS recognizing more than 3Gigs of Ram. However, couldn't I upgrade my OS to the 64-bit version, with no hardware changes? This would allow me to utilize all the RAM in the system. If that is the case, how is the 3Gig limit on a 32-bit OS hardware limited and not software limited?

Thanks again for your help!

~Pauliwood

 

Yes, you could access all your memory with an OS upgrade if your CPU is X64 capable, I'm pretty sure your laptop is fine but you would need to check your desktop to be sure. Frankly, I wouldn't bother spending the extra $$$'s for an X64 OS as the return on the money invested is quite minimal or even non-existent for your needs IMO to get those last 500 to 700MB working as you wouldn't notice a difference with a stop watch.

As to the 3GB limit, it is hardware limited first by the CPU. Here's a Wiki excerpt on why, I hope it doesn't go over your head.

When one gets to 64-bit then the world opens up but not to it's fullest as at 48-bits one can access 5 petabytes of RAM which ATM is beyond any technological capabilities that I know of. That's why I said 128GB is the current standard now, I believe 4GB/stick ATM. Hope that helped instead of confused.