How can Virtualbox help my privacy?

First post so be nice I don't know all the etiquette.

I have things I want to do on my laptop I want to be private. I have been told using Virtualbox that I can look at things in relative privacy. Could someone explain to me step by step how to use VB if I wanted to look at documents or photographs and the tracks not be seen by snoops that have access to my computer? I'm not doing anything illegal or anything like that, there's an issue with certain people rooming with me who may not understand and get the wrong idea.

Thank you in advance,
Alexis

 

Sure ...

1. install TrueCrypt
2. create hidden volume large enough to hold your VM(s) -- see below
3. install Oracle VM VirtualBox (or OSE version, if you prefer)
4. mount TrueCrypt volume
5. create VirtualBox folder in TrueCrypt folder
6. create HardDisks and Machines folders in VirtualBox folder
7. start VirtualBox
8. open Preferences, and specify TrueCrypt folders for VDIs and VMs
9. create VM and install OS per instructions (from mounted ISO or CD in drive)
10. install Guest Additions and reboot VM
11. add shared folder to VM, copy whatever you need, and delete share
12. enjoy your private VM

 

You could just encrypt the VM with system encryption.
Booting or accessing the VM in any way still requires a password. The only privacy issue would be that someone could see the timestamp of the VM and so would know when you last used it.

 

That sounds really complicated. Maybe I just need to read through it and try it out.

But what if you just create a truecrypt volume with your personal info and open it sandboxed with Sandboxie? And of course have with Eraser configured with it to clean up any remnants when the sandbox is deleted.