Security for dual boot ubuntu/vista neccessary?

[ERICK0110]

My question is pertaining to securing my dual boot ubuntu/vista pc. This is the first time I tried a linux OS and seem to like it a bit. I installed Ubuntu using Wubi the Linux installer for Windows. It was easy enough to get in but once in the system behold 1000 questions popped up. The main and most important one for me is about security. I gather that Linux is superior to Windows in security detail but I still think I need some protection from malware, spyware, virus, scripts, etc, etc...

Wubi explained to me that the Ubuntu files are stored in my c drive like a regular Windows program but that in fact it is a whole operating system in itself do I need another anti virus other than my self updating, real time protecting, Panda Security AV? How willthis work out with this dual boot system? Panda for Windows will not protect me right? I mean although it is the same PC I still need a linux av and a windows av all separately right? I gather that they will not clash even though thay are in the same machine since each OS runs one at a time right?

I am a complete noob to Linux and not a techie so please if you can give me some insight into this please reply and try to be patient with me since I am not that tech savvy (plain english appreciated & drawings or screenshots would go a long way, maybe a picture book? ha! ha! ha!:P).

[Tubes6al4v]

If you haven't already, have a look at the sticky (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812)(s) at the top of the security forum.

Your AV client on windows will scan your Linux files, but won't find anything. In fact, it should just think the files are just extra data. When you are in Linux, you will not be vulnerable to a virus you may have on your windows side*.

One thing I definitely do suggest installing is the NoScript addon for Firefox. It just makes it easier to consciously browse the internet. The best security in any OS comes down to the user.

*Note: people have shown that they can run a virus in Wine (windows "emulation"), but does not pose a serious threat.

[ERICK0110]

If you haven't already, have a look at the sticky (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812)(s) at the top of the security forum.

Your AV client on windows will scan your Linux files, but won't find anything. In fact, it should just think the files are just extra data. When you are in Linux, you will not be vulnerable to a virus you may have on your windows side*.

One thing I definitely do suggest installing is the NoScript addon for Firefox. It just makes it easier to consciously browse the internet. The best security in any OS comes down to the user.

*Note: people have shown that they can run a virus in Wine (windows "emulation"), but does not pose a serious threat.

Thanks for the advice and I spent the whole night and half of today researching and decided to kick the wubi install a full dual boot ubuntu/vista which thank GOD went like a walk in the park!!! I loved the adrenaline when I manually made my partitions and set the whole system up with my specifications and it went through in half an hour. Now I have a ´dual booty´ on my dell. You guys were all really helpful posting so much on this forum. I gather that anti virus is not that top priority in linux ubuntu, from some of the other users comments but I will install a firewall and noscript. Well thanks and to tell you the truth after 1 and a half day(s) of owning a ubuntu dell I love it! I think this is what a computer should be about not just paying Bill Gate$$$ for a half a$$ system and having to live with it...well thanks and cheers!:popcorn: