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virtualbox-ose package

Ubuntu Lucid, Virtualbox, Windows & Viruses

Asked by NakiMum

Okay so I've Ubuntu 10.04 as OS and have just installed Windows XP home in Virtualbox so that my little toddler (who is spoilt rotten) can use the usb keyboard to learn to write.
So I was wondering how secure will my Ubuntu be when I do updates on that computer every month with Windows in the virtualbox?
I've got all the faith in Ubuntu, but now with windows on my systems my mind is running a million miles a minute with worry about viruses, hackers, spyware etc.

Thanks for all and any answers
TIA

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Ubuntu4life
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Best Ubuntu4life (jeroenmerks) said : 		#1

I think you're Ubuntu is safe.
Windows can't effect your Ubuntu as far as I know.
By the way, nothing is safe. But Ubuntu can be considered as very safe.

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NakiMum (nakimum) said : 		#2

Hi Ubuntu4life

thanks for that.
I currently have a virus scanner and avast for Ubuntu, but I'm more at ease with Ubuntu than with windows. Since being with Ubuntu (just over 2 years now) I've never had a problem (touch wood). But I also scan for viruses everyday and all files I download from the internet are scanned before I open them.

Cheers

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David Mawdsley (dm-madmod) said : 		#3

The good news is that if your Windows inside of VirtualBox were to get infected with a virus, you could simply dump Windows from the list in VirtualBox and then just reinstall it. Windows can make use of your hardware, but it really can't "see" the Linux (Ubuntu) part of your computer. The virus scanning is okay but you shouldn't need to scan as often unless each scan turns up a lot of problems.

You might want to install Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (free from the Internet) inside your Windows and run a monthly scan if you still need peace of mind.

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NakiMum (nakimum) said : 		#4

Hi there David

thanks for this advice. Will definitely start right now with the Malwarebytes.
I'd rather be safe than sorry so I scan often. It puts my mind at ease. But having windows on the computer I'm getting paranoid. Personally I won't be using windows often. I got it for my toddler because the item I bought her just doesn't work under Wine (major error messages and no solutions).

What I wouldn't do for her. I don't want to take Ubuntu away from her because she loves the games, but thanks to VirtualBox I can get her to read and write too.

Thank you