Quote:
Originally Posted by Redshift
Ubuntu is worth a look. It's a free operating system similar to Linux. Like with a lot of systems you can also have a dual operating system set-up so you can switch to Windows whenever you want.
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Umm, Ubuntu is GNU/Linux. Not sure where you get the "similar" from lol!
As someone who uses Linux at home and at work, on a daily basis, I can only caution people against moving to Linux without any forethought. Any operating system can be compromised, yes, even OS X. Solaris is not safe either, nor are the BSDs (freeBSD, openBSD, netBSD, etc). Serious crackers are now working more and more with rootkits. If you want to use something like Linux, my suggestion is to install something like Debian, and then make use of the excellent article on hardening Debian to tie it down. Before even connecting the machine to a network, install tripwire, and burn the results to a non re-writeable CD/DVD. NEVER install from non reputable 3rd parties (src or binary package). Run chkrootkit and rootkithunter on a regular basis. And yes, install something like f-prot for Linux. Experimental rootkits are now actually infecting the ROM chips on things like videocards. Wipe your hdd or MBR and it'll do you no good.
viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, malware, you name it, are worries on ALL operating system platforms. There are even rootkits that attack Windows. No system is safe.
Dave