The Ultimate Safe Computing Environment?

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by bgoodman4, Nov 2, 2011.

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  1. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    This just in from Gizmo Richards newsletter - comments would be most appreciated.

    This Brilliant Free Tool Could Be The Ultimate Safe Computing Environment

    Posted: 01 Nov 2011 11:39 PM PDT
    This is a most unusual find. It was commissioned by the US Department of Defense to provide a secure self-contained computing environment that runs from a CD. Due to the nature of the design it is virtually impossible for the PC to become infected. And even if it did you could just reboot to create a totally clean environment.

    This product is not for everybody but if you are in a high risk environment such as a public terminal, a school PC or simply share an open wi-fi connection then this may be just what you have been looking for.


    http://www.techsupportalert.com/con...ld-be-ultimate-safe-computing-environment.htm
     
  2. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    It's just a liveCD without access to your hard drive. Sure it's safe but it isn't practical for most situations.
     
  3. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    You won't be able to store documents on your hard disk,
    so you'll either  need a USB stick and/or an account on something like Google Docs.
    Practical enough...;)
     
  4. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    I guess if that's what you're into =p
     
  5. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    OK, thanks, I generally find Gizmos pics to be pretty good but I guess he missed on this one.
     
  6. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    The ultimate safe computing environment is one not plugged into the net, doesn't run Windows, needs both an iris and fingerprint identification, and is locked behind a nuclear blast door that uses a pass code and iris scanner being watched by both cameras and two guys on either side with automatic weapons. And that's just home use :D
     
  7. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    Isn't software -commissioned by the US DoD-
    -more than enough-
    for *Rational* Home Users?

    Just wondering...
     
  8. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    I think the problem is that it's "more than enough."
     
  9. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    That's makes it ideal for... Wilders...:D :argh:
     
  10. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    ... you forgot surrounded by pits with spikes ... ;)
     
  11. Pedro

    Pedro Registered Member

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    Imagination running wild:

    Ultimate to me would suggest a few hardware features, like BIOS only updated if a switch is flipped, 2 HD's, one with a write protect switch for the OS and applications.

    Updating the OS would envolve one of two things:
    - either the OS would guarantee that a partition on the 2nd HD is only writeable by the updater, and use that for an update cache;
    - or reboot to a safe environment, where the 2nd HD isn't mounted, and update.

    Both options would require the user to release the write lock, and choose to update on reboot. The first option would be quicker, the second perhaps safer - or not, since updates are signed.

    Nothing on the 2nd HD is to be read for autostart.

    No friggin CD's, but really paranoid set up, that requires buying a new computer :D
     
  12. wat0114

    wat0114 Guest

    Any ol' Linux distro live cd will work similarily as well or better. For certain situations it's not a bad approach at all, but for full time usage it's impractical.
     
  13. Dark Shadow

    Dark Shadow Registered Member

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    Yep Totally agree.
     
  14. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    Pfft! Amateur :D I never mentioned what awaited between the blast door and the computer on the opposite side of the room ;)
     
  15. Noob

    Noob Registered Member

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    HAHAHAHA good one :thumb:
     
  16. rrrh1

    rrrh1 Registered Member

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    Webconverger does not access the HDD and is free.

    Can you really trust the Government ?

    Can you trust any one ?

    Or...

    Trust nobody !!

    maniac mode off...

    rrrh1 (arch1)
     
  17. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    Logically, certain/special situations emphasize more on Security
    and less on Convenience (e.g. Full-Time Usage)...;)

    -Are other Linux Live CDs as Secure as LPS is?

    -Are other Linux Live CDs commissioned by the US DoD (as LPS is)?

    Just wondering...o_O :doubt: :doubt:
     
  18. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    Linux LCD's probably have read access to the HDD. IDK.
     
  19. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    They do, as they are often used to read/backup files from a dead Windows install.
     
  20. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    Makes sense. I should have realized that lol
     
  21. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    All silliness aside, the safest system is one that isn't connected to the internet. Certainly, you still run the risk of USB/other media infections, and copying of and transporting data off site. However, without the ability to "report back", the vast majority of malware is DOA. And, the theft of data (like the Wikileaks debacle), it's more a matter of policy and oversight.
     
  22. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    Looks like Gizmo was over a year late. Already discussed here -http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=281844&highlight=lightweight+portable+security
     
  23. Ranget

    Ranget Registered Member

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    there is Knos Demo Free unix Based secure system

    i don't know if they are secure as the same as LPS
    i tried it i didn't know how to install Programs in it to harden security
    so we need an expert opinion on this
     
  24. Osaban

    Osaban Registered Member

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    Hi, I've just discovered how useful Puppy Linux can be, it can read and transfer data to Windows which is very useful indeed. I guess LPS can be even tighter as one can't access the hard drive. It could be really the perfect tool for banking and online purchases. Thanks for posting.
     
  25. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    I dunno squire ... pits with spikes is always good ... ;)
     
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