just got Knoppix & flashed to USB ... amazing! however, a couple of questions ...

[Captainkorky]

First time I ran off usb, it knew it was first time.
Second time, it remembered my previous settings (ie wireless name, password details, etc)
So first question - does it save these settings into the "overlay"?
What about
What do I do if I wanted to clear everything from start?

Secondly, I read somewhere that there is no need for antivirus, but is this true? surely my documents, files, settings, favourites, or anything else in the overlay are open to attack.

Also worse is that I have access to the C drive on the PC, so isnt it possible for any kind of malware to read and do things to and from c drive?

Anyway, I think knoppix is flipping BRILLIANT. Thanks.

[Denver Dave]

I also think knoppix is amazing. Some features are fantastic and some basics have been hard to figure out. On and off, I pickup the quest.

Like you, I'm not convinced that viruses couldn't be an issue. Also, technically potential malware does not have to be a virus. Bad programs can make their way onto our computers by installations and attachments to emails.

This forum gives a chance.

[Capricorny]

Sure there may be risks involved. One simple safety rule is to NEVER automount hard disk partitions, and, generally, be careful with USB media too. With Knoppix, you can always start afresh, by using, for example, a USB install as "master" and routinely copy from that to, for example, a harddisk partition you use for running. Then any infection will soon be wiped out. Documents could be checked in and out from some place with good virus scanning facilities.

I also disallow scripts by default, and try to have them permanently allowed only for trustworthy sites, typically using "temporarily allow" for news sites and unknown sites. If you use for example gmail for viewing attachments instead of downloading and handling locally, I would think it is safer, too - try to avoid doinr risky things locally.

IMHO, the way you use the machine is much more important for security than any anti-virus protection. The worst thing with anti-virus, is that it can encourage unsafe practices, people think they are protected.

[utu]

Also worse is that I have access to the C drive on the PC, so isnt it possible for any kind of malware to read and do things to and from c drive?

In addition to Capricorny's advice, I'd add the following:

1. To prevent your C-drive frome being automatically mounted,
Set your PCManFM preferences as follows:

PCManFM>Edit>Preferences>Volume Management>(un-check) 'Mount mountable volumes automatically.

That is UN-CHECK the mount volumes automatically preference.

2. If you use flash, also use NoScript or an equivalent script blocker.

3. Don't download any 'enclosure' from an unknown source, e-mail or otherwise.

[Denver Dave]

After booting from a flash drive, in PCManFM the box for "Mount mountable volumes automatically on program startup" is unchecked, yet I can click on the laptop drive icon and see the laptop files just fine - is this the way it should work (doesn't ask to mount)?