Is there a safe version of Ubuntu 13.04?

**D7Gd** · 2 Weeks Ago

A few months ago I discovered that some people have made a safe version of Ubuntu 12.10, which is useful for running as a live system, because it eliminates the need to manually remove packages every single time it is used:

http://www.helplinux.ru/wiki/en:kb:make-ubuntu-safe

So, I was wondering if anyone has made a safe version of Ubuntu 13.04 yet? Is the tutorial on that website still relevant or are there any new security holes in Ubuntu 13.04 that have to be removed in some other ways?

**monkeybrain2012** · 2 Weeks Ago

This is just a search function. If that is "unsafe" you should not go on the internet. In any case you can easily disable online search by opening system settings and go to the privacy tab and turn it off. You don't need any script. It is a lot more unsafe to download your install ISO from an unknown source which contains some unknown script (It would actually be very clever for malware makers to get access to your system by exploiting your fear about losing privacy)

**Kopkins** · 2 Weeks Ago

Ubuntu is going to become more and more integrated with mainstream online stuff as time goes on. But like monkeybrain said, its a lot easier to change a setting than to remove all the new packages in 13.04. I Heard there are more than in 12.10. I haven't tried it myself yet.

Also, just wondering what makes it a security hole.

**coldcritter64** · 2 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by D7Gd

A few months ago I discovered that some people have made a safe version of Ubuntu 12.10, which is useful for running as a live system, because it eliminates the need to manually remove packages every single time it is used:

http://www.helplinux.ru/wiki/en:kb:make-ubuntu-safe

So, I was wondering if anyone has made a safe version of Ubuntu 13.04 yet? Is the tutorial on that website still relevant or are there any new security holes in Ubuntu 13.04 that have to be removed in some other ways?

Personally I'd be far more wary of dowloading anything off that site or listening to that "advice", scaremongering at best imo and unnecessary.

+ 1 to monkeybrain2012's post. It is a search function that can easily be turned off as stated in post #2. Cheers

**D7Gd** · 2 Weeks Ago

This is just a search function.

I was searching for my files and I managed to enter some private information into the dash before I ever knew that it was silently being broadcasted to the internet.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against buying products from Amazon, but it shouldn't send data to them without asking permission first. This is a beginner's trap.

Also, just wondering what makes it a security hole.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/1...and-data-leaks

I agree with the Electronic Frontier Foundation on this issue. The same place that is used for searching for personal files should not be used to search the internet.

This is critical for someone running a small business who depends on the personal information not getting into the hands of their competitors and big corporations.

**ikt** · 2 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by D7Gd

I agree with the Electronic Frontier Foundation on this issue. The same place that is used for searching for personal files should not be used to search the internet.

Then best add your voice here:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...g/+bug/1054776

or make a new thread here:

http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=302

**craig10x** · 2 Weeks Ago

It's really just a way for ubuntu to try to get a little revenue...Mark Shuttleworth puts an awful lot of money into this project, so you can't really fault him for that...Ubuntu still has not been a commercial success as of yet though he is trying through new ubuntu laptops, tvs, tablets, phones and the like...although Ubuntu itself will always be offered for free...all that amazon lens does is send some shopping suggestions to you when you put in a dash search...it's on by default but Mark provides a simple way to turn it off, if you desire...go to privacy settings and hit the 2 buttons you see "off" and that's it...no online searching!

It isn't spyware, by the way...or unsafe for your computer...it's like getting targeted ads in most of the browsers...and amazon does NOT store the information...

I turn mine off because i prefer going to amazon's site to do my shopping there...instead, i will occasionally make donations to support ubuntu instead...

**monkeybrain2012** · 2 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by D7Gd

I was searching for my files and I managed to enter some private information into the dash before I ever knew that it was silently being broadcasted to the internet.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against buying products from Amazon, but it shouldn't send data to them without asking permission first. This is a beginner's trap.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/1...and-data-leaks

I agree with the Electronic Frontier Foundation on this issue. The same place that is used for searching for personal files should not be used to search the internet.

This is critical for someone running a small business who depends on the personal information not getting into the hands of their competitors and big corporations.

I agree this is bad form, I think it is more acceptable if it were an opt in feature, so I did put an "affect me too" in the launchpad bug, but it is an exaggeration to call it a safety risk and you can easily turn the "feature" off (which I did and I would do so on systems I install for other people and tell them how to enable it if they choose to)

My main point was that it would be infinitely more "unsafe" to download your install ISO from some unknown website with a script added to it. This should be obvious.

And why would you need a script preinstalled in the ISO to do something you can easily do it yourself? (and you would know how to if you have researched enough to find this website) This, the over the top scaremongering, and the fact that it gives no information on how to easily remove/disable the shopping lens yourself after scaring the wit out of you make the whole thing seems very fishy.

**BBQdave** · 2 Weeks Ago

Originally Posted by monkeybrain2012

I agree this is bad form, I think it is more acceptable if it were an opt in feature...

My main point was that it would be infinitely more "unsafe" to download your install ISO from some unknown website with a script added to it.

+1

Hopefully by the next LTS, Ubuntu will make shopping lens a button in dash that you turn on when needed. Takes away the issue of noobs entering personal data to search local - and that data then sent unknowingly to Canonical servers.

Absolutely would not use tampered iso from unknown site - not supported or recommended by Ubuntu.

**snowpine** · 2 Weeks Ago

It is good to broadcast your personal information to the 'net, because then the world knows more about who you are and what makes you tick. "Ubuntu" means "humanity to others" and using Ubuntu means you are part of the global community. If you are proud of yourself then share it with the world, let your light shine!