virus infested install

[kevin36]

Hello to all! I've decided to convert to Ubuntu as my OS. I have a few questions about installing Ubuntu. I have an old HP tower desktop that my parents have just given to me from home. It has Windows XP Home Edition, and a lot of viruses on it. There is nothing of importance to me on it except for a few music files and word documents, so I saved them to my external hard drive.

When I reboot the computer and run the install disk, will this get rid of all of the viruses, and every thing else from the computer for good?

I want to completely get free of Microsoft products. I've just discovered open-source software and it is a great thing! Plus having a computer than runs good would be great! Thanks to all in advance.

[Ripfox]

Yes a fresh install of Ubuntu will completely erase the Windows partition and subsequently all the viruses. That is if you use the whole disk for Ubuntu. Welcome to a virus free OS.

[rzrgenesys187]

There are a number of different install options when you enter the livecd and boot it up. There is on that will allow you to wipe the hard drive and install Ubuntu which is the one you were asking about, it's pretty straight forward when you are going through the install process

[kevin36]

Thanks a lot for the answers guys, I really appreciate it. By the way rzrgenesys187, I like your avatar, GO PENS!! :KS

[albinootje]

When I reboot the computer and run the install disk, will this get rid of all of the viruses, and every thing else from the computer for good?

Yes.
Even when one of the viruses would have tampered with the MasterBootRecord I assume that Ubuntu will nicely overwrite that too.


I want to completely get free of Microsoft products. I've just discovered open-source software and it is a great thing! Plus having a computer than runs good would be great!

Congrats! :)

[kevin36]

Now that I think about it, I have one more question since we are on the topic of viruses and Ubuntu.

Do I need a anti-virus program?

Again thanks to everyone! :guitar:

[Partyboi2]

Now that I think about it, I have one more question since we are on the topic of viruses and Ubuntu.

Do I need a anti-virus program?

Again thanks to everyone! :guitar:
No not really, not unless you plan on running a mail server with windows clients. You can read more about ubuntu security here (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812)

[albinootje]

Do I need a anti-virus program?

If you are into sharing files with MS-Windows friends, and don't want to be accused of giving a MS-Windows-virus from one friend to another friend.. while keeping your own Linux machine clean :)

See here : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Linuxvirus

But, also, for safer web browsing of the internet (whether on Linux, MS-Windows or MacOSX), i'd recommend trying these Firefox add-ons :

WOT :
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3456

Noscript : beware.. has quite a steep learning-curve at first :
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722

And apart from that, the addon adblock plus is nice to have :
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

[manishtech]

Now that I think about it, I have one more question since we are on the topic of viruses and Ubuntu.

Do I need a anti-virus program?

Again thanks to everyone! :guitar:

Kevin,
I just assume you are not going to run mail servers and all those stuffs. You want to be a normal Ubuntu users. Keeping this in mind, frankly you don't even need an anti-virus software.
I am a full-time Ubuntu user for last 2.5 yrs and have never felt the need. I browse the internet a lot, you can imagine this by knowing that my total bandwidth used in around 600MB daily(upload+download) on a 128-256Kbps line. I browse so much, still never ever got a virus.

When it comes to firewall, relax! It's not windows, the firewall is built right inside the kernel. You don't even need to configure it, its very intelligent.
It won't give you nasty pop-ups like"foo foo application asks for access to the internet" ALLOW/DENY as we get on Windows.
There is a frontend for linux firewall called as Firestarter.

Enjoy Ubuntu and welcome to the world of FOSS! Welcome!