Security Full Install Question

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fleamour
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Security Full Install Question

#1 Post by fleamour »

I'm used to Xubuntu which has regular security updates. I'm guessing Pup was not really designed to be run as a full install. Rather, booting from DVD each time would be more secure as OS image would be read only.

Is Pup secure by nature because so niche?

Does a frugal install differ from full security wise?

EDIT: Apparently frugal is preferable because it boots from image (security) on hard disk (for speed) as opposed to removable media which although secure, is slower...
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Flash
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#2 Post by Flash »

Seems to me you've got it pretty much figured out. :)

May I point out that, while booting from CD or DVD is slower than from hard disk, Puppy's small size makes it boot acceptably fast from a DVD. I've been running Puppy from multisession DVD in a computer with no hard disk drive for over 5 years. If you're concerned about security, why don't you give multisession a try for a month or two? It's very handy for online banking and such.

To keep boot time as short as possible, I save on the multisession DVD only settings and installed applications. Other stuff I save on a USB flash drive I keep plugged in but only mount when I need it.

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Lobster
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#3 Post by Lobster »

Is Pup secure by nature because so niche?
Does a frugal install differ from full security wise?
To follow on from Flash:

Most people do a frugal install.
I boot from DVD and on netbook from USB keydrive. :)
DVD is faster at booting - it is about 10 seconds faster direct from HD
Not sure what my boot up time is 40 - 50 secs maybe

Solid state booting is more secure, especially if using 'puppy pfix=ram'

I would suggest the potential vulnerabilities in Puppy are Firefox add ons, Flash and cloud services such as gmail (all of which I use). These would give access to a reasonable number of targets and be worthwhile.
Going directly for Puppy would be a technical, rather than a viable interest.
Puppy changes, often radically. Compromising or attempting might lead to exposure of key under the radar technologies. So not really worth the risk for potential gains. We have the usual penguin paranoids watching every entry and exit and running process. So might be easier to target elsewhere, for example the Linux kernel.

If you are concerned about security, find out what security services, crackers and banks use.

Then stop worrying and use Puppy. :roll:

Even though I created the Puppy GROWL program. I never use it.
If needing security, I would probably use Kirks 64 bit Puppy, follow the advice here
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/Security
rather than wardog
http://www.greylodge.org/gpc/?p=1748 which some might prefer

Hope that is of interest :)
Last edited by Lobster on Thu 03 Feb 2011, 06:15, edited 1 time in total.
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fleamour
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#4 Post by fleamour »

Yes, food for thought. Thanks for your contribution.
C2D tower ~ Mint 18/Slack Pupp 6.3.0 DVD

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