Windows hackers and installing Ubuntu

[henry_d]

Hi my friend had his paypal account hacked into and payments sent out (This is what we are assuming). He has Windows XP and i guessed that it was because there was spyware on his computer or someone hacked into his computer. We thought about completely wiping the hard drive and re-installing xp but i thought that the hackers could still stay on the computer

He still wants to keep the computer so my question is, If he completely wipes the hard drive and installs ubuntu would he be safe from the hacker and any other spyware/malware, or any security threat in general that was on his computer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Canis familiaris]

Most probably yes. Any *nix would be much more difficult to target.
This case seems like that hackers installed a software keylogger in his machine which I guess who be removed with the removal of Windows. So I guess it would be removed even with reinstallation of Windows as well.

[iKonaK]

Installing Ubuntu, or any other GNU/Linux distribution for that matter, would improve the virus/spyware security; as for the hackers, it has a good firewall, but as far as i know as long as you access the internet you expose yourself to a certain risk.
If he uses as a home pc don't concern, 4 home pc's is more than safe.

EDIT: by improve the virus security i mean 0 viruses/spyware :)
look here (http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/index_it.php)

[henry_d]

Thats good to hear. But i think a ubuntu installation over windows xp would be the best option as its far better. Do you know if ubuntu 8.04 uses less ram than xp?

[Canis familiaris]

Do you know if ubuntu 8.04 uses less ram than xp?

No. Not the default install at least. However if you replace GNOME with another DE like IceWM, then it will.
In case you are looking for Linux for low end PCs - Give Puppy Linux a shot.

[henry_d]

Thanks for the information its very helpful. So if there is a hacker or software on the computer a complete wipe of the hard drive and a ubuntu installation should stop them from doing it again?
I dont know much about ubuntu but i have heard when people talk about it being a virtual system and i thought as it is built differently to xp it should be different for the hacker to get into. for e.g. windows virus wont work on ubuntu (am i correct).

[snowpine]

If security is your #1 concern, I would not recommend Puppy. It does not have the root account disabled like Ubuntu. If you post your system specs, we can recommend a secure Ubuntu variant that will run well.

[Calmatory]

Or he could use Xubuntu. It uses way less RAM than Ubuntu, and is around as lightweight as Windows XP.

[henry_d]

Ok i will just have to find out the specs and then i will post them later. It was just because i have heard of people wiping their hard drive and hackers staying on there and then obviously once the computer is all set up again the hackers can start again. Since ubuntu is built and run differently if anything was to stay on the laptop once it was wiped would it be no problem as they wouldnt be able to get into ubuntu?

[snowpine]

Yes, Xubuntu is good, and then there's Kubuntu, which I've heard some people find an easier transition from XP. If the computer is really old/slow, you can do a minimal install and then install only what's needed, or try an "unofficial" light-weight derivative like Fluxbuntu, Crunchbang, UbuntuLite, etc.

[Canis familiaris]

Keep in mind that change to Linux from Windows will be radical and warn that to your friend. First tell him to dual boot (and run the internet only in Linux).

[henry_d]

Luckily he is already use to linux as i have ubuntu 8.04 and he did have it installed on his newer laptop.

[Calmatory]

They get in again and again via by exploiting security holes.

If a complete format is done to the HDD and a new OS installed, there is quite no practical way the hacker/s could gain access, unless the user grants them one(may it be by unintentionally downloading viruses via p2p, or running untrusted executables etc.).

I am not blaming your friend here but... The fact is that a ignorant user can easily mess up(security wise) event the most secure system. Especially Windows. Even if the user has dozens of firewalls, dozens of virus scanners etc, the system isn't safe because the user grants the access(by running/executing a virus, e.g. "keygen" for a game).

Then again, user with vast knowledge about security, internet and computers will not need a firewall or virus scanner to be safe, since he does not visit untrusted websites, or run untrusted executables and generally is more aware of what certain programs and applications do, and how to keep the system secure.

People trust anti-virus software way too much. AV software and firewalls gives them false feeling of security. They feel TOO secure. I'd say that the reason for majority of infected computers is due to ignorant user and "I have Norton, I am safe."-feeling.

[sydbat]

When you format your HDD, everything is removed. Script Kiddies do not have the ability, AFAIK, to keep malware on a formated disk. If you are paranoid enough, when you format, make sure the computer is not connected to the internet.

As Anurag_panda states, dual boot, one partition XP the other Ubuntu/derivative.

EDIT - Calmatory's answer explains it better. +1

[Calmatory]

When you format your HDD, everything is removed. Script Kiddies do not have the ability, AFAIK, to keep malware on a formated disk. If you are paranoid enough, when you format, make sure the computer is not connected to the internet.

As Anurag_panda states, dual boot, one partition XP the other Ubuntu/derivative.

EDIT - Calmatory's answer explains it better. +1

Then again, script kiddies aren't usually making the malware/viruses which steal bank accounts etc. Those are made by criminals who have expertise and knowledge to do so without getting caught. Or at least thats what many of them think. Some get caught, some won't. :(

[henry_d]

I have another question as well which isnt strictly to do with this topic but it saves posting a new thread. He has driving theory discs which he uses to revise but when he put the disc in on his newer laptop that was running ubuntu it just opened all the files. Is there a way to get it so it plays as it would in windows.
Also when installing things it seems to be a bit more complicated, unless there is an easy way that i am missing which is quite likely. He wants to install an Epson DX8400 printer but it wouldnt install from the disc.I know this printer is quite a hot topic in the ubuntu forums but is there a way to get it to auto install like in windows or just an easy way.

[henry_d]

Im not sure of the specs but i think they are roughly around the following.

Pentium or celeron
256mb ram
No graphics card
60-40gb hard drive

Sorry for the rough specs but im sure someone can tell me what version would be the best

[perlsyntax]

You mean he or she was acracked in from a cracker not a hacker get it right people.

[snowpine]

Im not sure of the specs but i think they are roughly around the following.

Pentium or celeron
256mb ram
No graphics card
60-40gb hard drive

Sorry for the rough specs but im sure someone can tell me what version would be the best

Xubuntu is the best choice (from the Ubuntu family) for those specs.

[henry_d]

Thanks for the help. Would you say xubuntu will run just as well as windows xp?

[Therion]

Lots of suggestions/articles dealing with how to tighten up your Linux security (http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/section/9/161/).

[oldsoundguy]

(removed because of a double post.)

[snowpine]

Thanks for the help. Would you say xubuntu will run just as well as windows xp?

I am biased, but I would say Xubuntu is superior to XP in almost every way, and will absolutely "run better." (more secure, more stable, easier to use, more powerful, better applications...)

If your question is "will Xubuntu run as fast as XP," I would say not necessarily. Windows XP is 8 years old and has lower minimum hardware requirements than anything in the Ubuntu family, which is only 4 years old. But of course, the typical XP install is slowed down by spyware and add-ons...

[oldsoundguy]

FYI: (goes for all operating systems!)
Most identity theft is not from some malware or keylogger or hacker from another planet. It happens because YOU, the victim, GAVE them your information or you have passwords that are in the dictionary and easily guessable! (alpha numeric, folks .. and if not .. change them!)

NEVER NEVER NEVER click on a link in an eMail from any financial institution and fill in the information they ask for. NO financial institution will send you such. If an eMail link asks you for ANY personal information .. back out. The only time you should put personal information into a form on a site is if you went there YOURSELF through a URL in your browser and the site is SECURE (https is a clue)

IF you get an eMail requesting information .. go to the site, do not use the link, and see if it is valid .. or even CALL THEM!

IE is such a POS browser when it comes to actually telling you the site is BOGUS. Switch to FireFox and install W.O.T,
Then you will have a clue, at least.

[henry_d]

Thanks to everyone for their answers they have been really helpful.

I have another question as well which isnt strictly to do with this topic but it saves posting a new thread.

He has driving theory discs which he uses to revise but when he put the disc in on his newer laptop that was running ubuntu it just opened all the files. Is there a way to get it so it plays as it would in windows.

Also when installing things it seems to be a bit more complicated, unless there is an easy way that i am missing which is quite likely. He wants to install an Epson DX8400 printer but it wouldnt install from the disc.I know this printer is quite a hot topic in the ubuntu forums but is there a way to get it to auto install like in windows or just an easy way.

[Canis familiaris]

Thanks for the help. Would you say xubuntu will run just as well as windows xp?
Depends on the kind of software your friend wan't to use his PC for and the hardware.
If the hardware is compatible and your friend settles with the alternatives, and adjusts with Linux way of thinking; then it would be great.
Otherwise probably not.

Also when installing things it seems to be a bit more complicated, unless there is an easy way that i am missing which is quite likely. He wants to install an Epson DX8400 printer but it wouldnt install from the disc.I know this printer is quite a hot topic in the ubuntu forums but is there a way to get it to auto install like in windows or just an easy way.
Look at my signature for information to How to Install Software in Ubuntu.
I think Epson Printers work well in Ubuntu. A quick Google Search or a search in these forums will do the trick. If not, start a new thread in the Hardware Section.
Best of Luck.

[henry_d]

I have downloaded xubuntu i386. The laptop is mobile AMD Athlon so is this the right version to download?

[Canis familiaris]

I have downloaded xubuntu i386. The laptop is mobile AMD Athlon so is this the right version to download?

Yes.

[henry_d]

Im installing it now but it says SQUASHFS error and the numbers brackets next to it are going up. What have i done wrong and where should i download xubuntu from

[smoker]

What have i done wrong and where should i download xubuntu from

did you check the cd for errors, sometimes if you burn the cd at too fast a speed this may happen? download from here: http://www.xubuntu.org/get

[henry_d]

Hi i started the install again and it worked but xubuntu is running quite slow. Is there an OS that would run faster. I found out the specs.

AMD Athlon
40GB hard drive
245mb ram

[smoker]

have a look at 'tinyme'
http://www.tinymelinux.com/doku.php

[snowpine]

I use a distro called SliTaz that is very fast, but it does not have the same security features as (x)Ubuntu. DSL and Puppy are also very popular for older computers. Debian is a little bit quicker than Ubuntu and has a good reputation for security. A couple of faster-than-Xubuntu alternatives that are still part of the Ubuntu family are Crunchbang and Fluxbuntu.

Your easiest option if you like your current Xubuntu install, but find it a little bit too slow, is to install a lightweight windows manager (such as Openbox or IceWM) on top of it. You can then choose the new windows manager from the Sessions menu when you log in.

[oldsoundguy]

Hi i started the install again and it worked but xubuntu is running quite slow. Is there an OS that would run faster. I found out the specs.

AMD Athlon
40GB hard drive
245mb ram

256mb ram. Therein lies your problem. (and you failed to mention your processor speed or the FSB speed.)

Changing an operating system or putting on a new OS on to a machine that is slow in the first place is not going to speed the system up.

And instant page loading every time is a dream, not a reality. You can have a blazing fast internet connection, but if the server you hit is slow, the page will load slow.

To me, SLOW is when you launch a program within the system and it takes over 10 seconds for the program to initiate .. such as launching a bloated Adobe Photo Shop in a mud slow Windows. That can take over a minute to load completely sometimes.

[snowpine]

256mb ram. Therein lies your problem. (and you failed to mention your processor speed or the FSB speed.)

Changing an operating system or putting on a new OS on to a machine that is slow in the first place is not going to speed the system up.

And instant page loading every time is a dream, not a reality. You can have a blazing fast internet connection, but if the server you hit is slow, the page will load slow.

To me, SLOW is when you launch a program within the system and it takes over 10 seconds for the program to initiate .. such as launching a bloated Adobe Photo Shop in a mud slow Windows. That can take over a minute to load completely sometimes.

I partly agree, and partly disagree. :)

I think the danger is making unfair comparisons. I think that Xubuntu 8.04 would probably be faster on most computers than Windows Vista. I do not think it would be faster than (a fresh install of) Windows XP, which is 8 years old, was designed to run on a minimum of 64mb of ram, and has been discontinued by Microsoft. There are a lot of posts here on ubuntuforms like "can I run Hardy on my Windows 95 computer?" and the answer of course is no. But maybe you can run DSL or Deli and get your work done.

(edit) ps I also believe that Canonical needs to either 1) make Xubuntu a truly lightweight distro; or 2)create an "official" variant along the lines of Fluxbuntu. Currently, the minimum system requirements for Xubuntu are too high in my opinion.

[Thelasko]

Dear henry_d:

Your friend was likely the victim of a phishing attack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing). Your friend's operating system was not to blame for this, only his own gullibility. If you reinstall Windows XP "the hackers" won't "stay on the computer."

Yes, Ubuntu is inherently more secure than Windows. However, if you aren't security conscious you can still be a victim of internet fraud. Security conscious Windows users (http://windows.about.com/od/security/tp/protect.htm) can be more secure online than a Linux user that isn't security conscious. (I know, that's a bold statement!)

In conclusion, don't blame the operating system when the Problem Exists Between the Keyboard And Chair. Regardless of what operating system you choose, you and your friend need to change the way you think about computers. Ubuntu will force you to do so, Windows won't.

[MaxIBoy]

Ubuntu lite may be a good distro for that computer. You could also try Crunchbang.

Look those up.