Solved VIRTUAL MACHINE ~ Can Guest OS become Infected Through Host OS ? ? ?

[DUNKY]

VIRTUAL MACHINE ~ Can Guest OS become Infected Through Host OS ? ? ?

If I setup and use a virtual machine running/containing both a Host OS and a guest OS ... do they remain completely separate entities when operating one or the other?

My main concern is Virus related ... if for instance I'm Running Windows 7 as the host and XP as the guest and I get the host OS infected, will the guest XP OS also contract it by default because it is operating on the same disk? . . . same question applies vice~versa




thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Dunky,

If you share files between the guest and host, then yes the will be able to infect each other. It's even possible without sharing files, but not as likely.

It would be best to have a good AV program installed and kept updated on both.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[DUNKY]

Thanks Shawn,

I'm mainly trying to utilize a virtual machine for the purposes of having one OS used for everyday common use and the other strictly for sensitive financial and commerce related usage .. ex. paying bills.

I want to keep it secure without it getting compromised. I'm not certain whether it's worth having a dual boot configuration on separate drives or going via the Virtual Machine route.


:shock:

 

[Brink]

If your hardware can support it, a virtual machine may be better.

 

[DUNKY]

If your hardware can support it, a virtual machine may be better.

Someone suggested to me that i should "truecrypt" the drive as well as the VM for much added security .. are you at all familiar with this?


may i also inquire what measures you take to ensure your stuff is kept safe?

 

[Brink]

I keep my stuff stored on an external HDD, and only turned on and connected as needed.

"Truecrypt" or the built-in "BitLocker" is good for encrypting the drives to help keep people from nosing around your computer when they are sitting at it, but it's not going to help with malware or viruses.

You might also look into using a "sandbox" to isolate items as well.

 

[DUNKY]

I keep my stuff stored on an external HDD, and only turned on and connected as needed.

"Truecrypt" or the built-in "BitLocker" is good for encrypting the drives to help keep people from nosing around your computer when they are sitting at it, but it's not going to help with malware or viruses.

You might also look into using a "sandbox" to isolate items as well.

Thank you Shawn. I will look into all of your suggestions.

Mucho appreciated.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[DUNKY]

I keep my stuff stored on an external HDD, and only turned on and connected as needed.

"Truecrypt" or the built-in "BitLocker" is good for encrypting the drives to help keep people from nosing around your computer when they are sitting at it, but it's not going to help with malware or viruses.

You might also look into using a "sandbox" to isolate items as well.

Shawn would you tell me more about your "external HDD, that are only turned on and connected as needed."??

Thanks

 

[Brink]

It's an external drive enclosure with a HDD in it that can be connected to the computer via eSATA, USB 3.0, or USB 2.0.

It shows up like any other HDD when manually connected and turned on.

 

[DUNKY]

It's an external drive enclosure with a HDD in it that can be connected to the computer via eSATA, USB 3.0, or USB 2.0.

It shows up like any other HDD when manually connected and turned on.

When you plug these in regardless of the format (eSATA, USB 3.0, or USB 2.0) do they boot up as independent OS (without association of any other drives or OS) or do they piggyback off of another (main) drive/OS?

 

[Brink]

It's just treated as any other removable hard drive.

You connect it and turn it on, Windows will recognize it, then the drive is available in the Computer window like any other hard drive.

 

[DUNKY]

It's just treated as any other removable hard drive.

You connect it and turn it on, Windows will recognize it, then the drive is available in the Computer window like any other hard drive.

So you never boot from it ..simply acts like another memory storage HDD ..correct?

 

[Brink]

Correct.

 

[DUNKY]

Understood .. much thanks

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[JoesMorgue]

Thanks Shawn,

I'm mainly trying to utilize a virtual machine for the purposes of having one OS used for everyday common use and the other strictly for sensitive financial and commerce related usage .. ex. paying bills.

I want to keep it secure without it getting compromised. I'm not certain whether it's worth having a dual boot configuration on separate drives or going via the Virtual Machine route.


:shock:

If that's ALL you are doing in the VM, turn off ALL caching for while online. That will help.

Unless you don't mind tossing HD space, I'd go toss ANY part of the OS that is not NEEDED, then redo the drive info, and make the drive a little more than you NEED. [Fonts take up space, music, many apps that come in the OS] Maybe add encryption to the VM files, internally & externally.