Why You Need to Have a Linux LiveCD

Edward78 · 14 Feb 2011 at 15:14

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/219481/why_you_need_to_have_a_linux_livecd.html

NathanE · 14 Feb 2011 at 15:24

FUD-ridden article.

Destination · 14 Feb 2011 at 15:26

Okay so basically

Its to get rid of a virus
To try to stop getting a virus
To use old stuff you don't need anyway
To test it for its own sake

Thats the best they could do?

matthab · 14 Feb 2011 at 15:30

Such a poor article.

NathanE · 14 Feb 2011 at 15:33

Such is the poor security situation in Windows that experts now commonly discourage users from conducting online banking or other sensitive transactions over a Windows PC. Once again, Linux live media can help you out here.

This is just comedy. Wasn't it *nix that just recently had a huge flaw in their OpenSSL stack that completely split open any operating systems or web browsers using it? I bet certain Chinese and Russian groups had fun with that one for years on end at everyone's expense...

I simply can't remember the last time a fundamental flaw was found in Windows' SSL stack.

Also some reporter working for the Washington Post is not a "security expert" despite what he might think. Blind leading the blind, again.

theheyes · 14 Feb 2011 at 16:57

I always have a Linux live cd on hand for computer stuff and it's great, but if this is supposed to be a pro-Linux article then they really should plug it on its own merits rather than "you should use it just because it's not Windows". Tired old arguments.

NathanE · 14 Feb 2011 at 18:01

Exactly. I used a Ubuntu Live CD the other month to copy some files off a laptop with a totally destroyed install of Windows before I formatted it and put a fresh copy of Windows 7 on.

The OS looked hideous and clunky but I guess I'm just spoilt from all these years of Windows. Surely there are better ways to sell Linux than this article?

tntcoder · 14 Feb 2011 at 18:16

NathanE said:
This is just comedy. Wasn't it *nix that just recently had a huge flaw in their OpenSSL stack that completely split open any operating systems or web browsers using it? I bet certain Chinese and Russian groups had fun with that one for years on end at everyone's expense...

I simply can't remember the last time a fundamental flaw was found in Windows' SSL stack.

Bit mean to single out Linux

there is nothing to say there isn't an exploitable bug in the Windows SSL stack being used right now by the groups you mentioned. It's just easier to find (& quickly fix) issues in open source gear, obviously such vulnerabilities are valuable and may well not be revealed.

Although I agree the article is tosh.