Will dual-boot setup allow me to isolate one OS from the internet?

[Guest]

Probably I'm paranoid about keystroke loggers, but I use removable HDD sleds
on my PC. Have Win98 loaded on each HDD, but on one of them Internet
Explorer has no information allowing it to get to my ISP. I put information
I'd like to keep private on that HDD, and usually I remember to disconnect
the cable to the router when using it. The other HDD is configured normally
and used on line.

This isn't convenient but it appears to work. I have always been curious
however whether the "off-line" HDD is really isolated from the internet
unless I disconnect the cable to the router. So that's question #1.

I'm about to upgrade and would prefer to go with WinXP. However, it
presents a potential problem because it has to be registered to work. Is it
correct I can install XP on both HDDs since they see the same CPU
configuration, just register the on-line copy and the other one will work?
That's question #2.

However, this removable-sled setup is a nuisance. If I install WinXP in
each of two partitions for a dual-boot setup on a single HDD, can I get the
same level of on-line/off-line security with one HDD that I now think I get
with two? That's question #3.

And will I be up against the "you can only install one copy of the OS"
problem again with XP, or is it not an issue if both copies are on the same
HDD?

Thanks in advance!

Martt

 

[jimbo]

Probably I'm paranoid about keystroke loggers, but I use removable HDD sleds
on my PC. Have Win98 loaded on each HDD, but on one of them Internet
Explorer has no information allowing it to get to my ISP. I put information
I'd like to keep private on that HDD, and usually I remember to disconnect
the cable to the router when using it. The other HDD is configured normally
and used on line.

This isn't convenient but it appears to work. I have always been curious
however whether the "off-line" HDD is really isolated from the internet
unless I disconnect the cable to the router. So that's question #1.

I'm about to upgrade and would prefer to go with WinXP. However, it
presents a potential problem because it has to be registered to work. Is it
correct I can install XP on both HDDs since they see the same CPU
configuration, just register the on-line copy and the other one will work?
That's question #2.

However, this removable-sled setup is a nuisance. If I install WinXP in
each of two partitions for a dual-boot setup on a single HDD, can I get the
same level of on-line/off-line security with one HDD that I now think I get
with two? That's question #3.

And will I be up against the "you can only install one copy of the OS"
problem again with XP, or is it not an issue if both copies are on the same
HDD?

Thanks in advance!

Martt

You don't have to run IE to have ports open to the Internet. You would
need to disable the NIC and/or disable or delete the network
connection on the "secure" hard drive. Disconnecting the ethernet
cable is 100% effective.

I routinely back up my WinXP Home hard drive by cloning my primary HD
to my second hard drive. Sometimes, I physically swap the hard drives
just to be sure everythnig is working as expected. WinXP boots from
either hard drive with no complaints.

I believe the dual boot setup will require a second activation, so you
would need two copies of WinXP to be legal. Anyway, if you were using
the "un secure" partition, the other partition would still be
vunerable. Once someone hacked into your PC, everything on the PC
would be exposed.

But, bottom line, if you are using a router as a gateway, you are
protected from most uninvited intrusion from the Internet. There are
web sites that will test your security. They alway report that none of
my PCs are visible to the Internet because I use a router as a gateway.

Good luck, jimbo

 

[DL]

Paranoia will make life difficult
Winxp is far more secure than win9*, assuming its updated.
Install a decent AV app and firewall, the winxp firewall is lacking - it
stops incoming, not outgoing.
Regularly run spyware apps, eg spybot, adaware
A nat reuter will also help.
Nothing is going to be installed on your sys unless you or someone else
installs it.
If you wish there are many apps that will encrypt your data.
Do you really think your info will be of interest to others?

 

[Guest]

You don't have to run IE to have ports open to the Internet. You would
need to disable the NIC and/or disable or delete the network
connection on the "secure" hard drive. Disconnecting the ethernet
cable is 100% effective.

I routinely back up my WinXP Home hard drive by cloning my primary HD
to my second hard drive. Sometimes, I physically swap the hard drives
just to be sure everythnig is working as expected. WinXP boots from
either hard drive with no complaints.

I believe the dual boot setup will require a second activation, so you
would need two copies of WinXP to be legal. Anyway, if you were using
the "un secure" partition, the other partition would still be
vunerable. Once someone hacked into your PC, everything on the PC
would be exposed.

But, bottom line, if you are using a router as a gateway, you are
protected from most uninvited intrusion from the Internet. There are
web sites that will test your security. They alway report that none of
my PCs are visible to the Internet because I use a router as a gateway.

Good luck, jimbo

Thanks Jimbo! I do use a HW router, and according to Gibson Research's
probe tool it's got my PCs completely hidden.

I'm more concerned about a keystroke logger lurking undetected on my HDD,
sending bank account numbers etc home to mama. I have the software firewall
set up to tell me when an application tries to access the internet, but I
don't know how airtight it is. So I prefer to keep info which would make
life pleasant for an identity thief, difficult to access. Thus the removable
HDD.

From your comment about the NIC, which the router confirms by lighting the
"connected" LED for the PC early on in the boot-up process, I need to
routinely disconnect the Ethernet cable before booting up on the off-line
HDD. Haven't been doing that, but will in the future.

Thanks again. Martt