Welcome to our Homepages for Linux Ducks. We also offer free membership to our Linux-Ducks Yahoo Group - description below:
Linux-Ducks Links Lessons (Linux.Org)
For Windows 95 through Windows XP ....
If you are running Windows 95 through Windows XP Service Pack 1 - your Computer is not fully patched and wide open to malware installations leaving paid subscription security software as the only defense....
[ If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 1 - simply Upgrade to Service Pack 2 to enable Microsoft support for your computer including neccessary Critical Updates through Windows Updates]
If you are not aware of this, support and most Windows services including Windows Updates have been discontinued except for Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the new Vista. The cyber criminals are well aware of this. They ping machines constantly for older machines as well as new ones. This is a lot like submarine warfare with sonar scenarios - for sake of imagination.
What anyone should be aware of is that simply installing a firewall will block most of these type 'pings' for information that is leaked that will include operating system information and more. The reason this is valuable information to cyber criminals is obvious... One instance is that within the last year or so there have been a whopping three "Zero Day" exploits that were the WMF metafile, VML (Vector Mark Up Language), and the latest .Ani Cursor exploit. All that means is that a door was left open and unlocked (unpatched machine) in the worst cyber ghetto neighborhood. The WMF meta file exploit from the beginning of these gave birth immediately to the fake antispyware programs that were 'ransomwares' (and other malwares) - hijacking the computer for $30 or so with fake security messages to buy the fake products which in turn if anyone was fooled without security knowledge and did buy them - they also immediately sold all that financial information to the cyber underworld or used their financial information (check/card) to max out their accounts entirely. These are known as SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, SpywareQuake, and there are now even more. If anyone was "lucky" - all they got ripped off for was the $30.
So indeed without the ability to patch the computer to stop these and all other and new threats through them and in the future - it is hoped and taught at BlueCollarPC.Net (and .Org) that computer users be well aware of this and must know that they entirely have only paid subscription security software as their only defense. This includes a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software program protections. Without these, the machine is no doubt a member of a zombie network for a long time now and pretty much as useless as you just through it in the trash, literally, if you are not going to invest the $100 a year for security. (Currently, 2007, estimates are from 7 to 11 percent of world computers numbering over 100,000,000 are hijacked, rifled, commendeered into a zombie network constantly sending out malware and spam, and in most cases - illegally).
However.... not so fast to toss your PC in the trash or save up for a new Vista OS packed computer.
If you think you may have a year or a couple of years of life left in that machine, you can investigate the alternative Linux OS free operating system. The Linux OS is free and has continual and ongoing security updates and bug fixes and patches just like any Windows user is accustomed to.
The Linux OS can be installed on any computer and you can choose "dual boot" set up (recommended) that allows you to choose your default system to always boot at start up of the computer - either Windows or Linux. Installing Linux takes a set up of "partitioning the disk" to place it on the computer disk, as it cannot run with Windows - the two are not able to interact. It involves some homework and is fairly easy to install, and easier to run, and there are free online classes for step at a time installation - and as well help forums of course. Any questions are answered immediately in the Linux community of developers and users and 'pros'. So with Linux installed, you will now have a "live" operating system with ongoing security updates and bug fixes free.
The additional attraction is that there are zillions of free open source softwares that run on Linux - so that it is very inexpensive. And yes there is firewalls, antivirus, and antispyware available for Linux since about 2005 and earlier and it is going to cost for those with Linux also. Trend Micro (security products) has consistently been rated in the top 2 or 3 antispywares worldwide for years and is one of, if not the first, to create antivirus for mobile computers (Pocket PC) and created one of the first antispyware programs for Linux. There are many strange people that say many strange things about computer security - but the common sense arguement is that a company with that kind of reputation and money is not about to waste it on fantasy. No, Linux is not above malware, though some say so and also the same about Apple/Mac - which is ridiculous as we all know, though they may have poisoned some novice user's minds temporarily.
So if interested in starting your Linux installation - give yourself time and make it a month long project - the BlueCollarPC also has started a Yahoo Group for this, and you are welcome to join. Articles of interest are posted and security issues, updates, and upgrades. We call it "Linux-Ducks".
Linux-Ducks ยท ~ Linux OS for older Windows
Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Linux-Ducks/
RSS: http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/Linux-Ducks/rss
Description:
Linux Ducks ~ Linux OS for older Windows... Welcome to Linux Ducks, launched April 15 2007.... Linux Ducks is for the average user or interested person in the Linux alternate Operating Systems for the Home or Home/Office computer. We have no programmers degrees but all the technically savyy and developers are very welcome to join in. Group Owner is the webmaster of the Windows computing security website and groups the www.BlueCollarPC.Net and will be posting much in the way of Linux Security here. Since Microsoft has discontinued support for all except WindowsXP SP2 and Vista OS (year 2007) - the Linux OS now seems to be the definate alternative simply for ongoing security in computing unless you wish to pay Microsoft for Windows Critical Updates - me neither. Linux Ducks is going to focus on all the free or open source / donate wares available for all fun and practical things to do with your new Linux OS. We begin with the free open source Ubuntu Linux OS which is about smallest on resources for older computers and free / donate. First TIP: Look for "dual boot" in choices for a Linux OS that will allow Linux OS and Windows/Mac Operating Systems (OS) to both operate on the computer. (You can always eventually wipe - erase Windows from the computer later). Linux OS is now the perfect alternative for "Refurbished Computers" - so pull out the old 98 and get refurbishing ! Linux Ducks is an open community and in RSS syndication - click icon below....
RSS: http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/Linux-Ducks/rss
Group Email Addresses
Related Link: http://www.linux.org/lessons/
Post message: Linux-Ducks@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: Linux-Ducks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: Linux-Ducks-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: Linux-Ducks-owner@yahoogroups.com
BOOKMARKS:
INFORMATION LINKS
Debian Linux OS From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Recommended: Debian is known for its adherence to the Unix philosophies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian
Linux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Definition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
Mandriva Linux From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Definition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandriva_Linux
SUSE Linux From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Definition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suse_Linux
Slackware Linux OS
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slackware
Ubuntu Linux - Winkipedia Defintion
Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution offering an operating system predominantly targeted at personal computers. Based on Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu concentrates on usability, regular releases ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_%28Linux_distribution%29
1) Linux OS
Debian Linux OS (Highest rated are debian based)
Recommended. Of origin and seemingly proprietary minded, secure - supported.
http://www.debian.org/
GNOME
GNOME offers an easy to understand desktop for your Linux or UNIX computer.
http://www.gnome.org/
Gentoo Linux OS
We produce Gentoo Linux, a special flavor of Linux that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need. Extreme performance, configurability and a top-notch user and developer community are all hallmarks of the Gentoo experience. To learn more, read our about page.
http://www.gentoo.org/
Mandriva Linux OS
Mandrake 9.0 is an easy, friendly desktop Linux, a powerful command-line Linux, & a very cost-effective enterprise & server Linux. Experienced Linux users...
http://www.mandriva.com/
SUSE Linux
Cost-effective OS Software on your budget. Tired of paying high prices for your proprietary desktop platform? SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop with OpenOffice.org can cost less than one-tenth the price of Windows and Office. Change the way you think about your desktop platform.
http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/
Ubuntu Linux OS
Linux-Ducks Recommends: Ubuntu 7. This award-winning operating system offers a cleaner, sharper design, together with new and enhanced desktop applications and advances in security.... (When we argue Apple/Mac - Windows, Ubantu will probably be the next "Apple/Mac" and the Mandrake/Mandravia the next "Windows".. in looking back) NOTE.... Ubantu currently has a prototype partially working "windows installer " available - will directly download and install Ubantu Linux from internet., apparently a first for Linux.
2) Linux Security
AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition 7.5 for Linux/FreeBSD
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/31/us/crp/4?prd=avl
How to install AVG Free on PC with Linux?
AVG Free Advisor: FAQ 7.1: How to install AVG Free on PC with Linux?
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5649/lng/us/tpl/v5
LinuxSecurity.com
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/
List of Linux computer viruses
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_computer_viruses
Trend Micro Linux Antispyware
Trend Micro InterMute Unveils Linux Anti-Spyware Software
http://www.intermute.com/press_releases/news_detail_040305.html
3) Tutorials
How To Forge.com
HowtoForge is the source for Linux tutorials
http://www.howtoforge.com/
How To Install Internet Explorer On Ubuntu
This guide shows how to install three different Internet Explorer versions (6.0, 5.5, and 5.0) on Ubuntu Feisty Fawn, Edgy Eft and Dapper Drake desktops. This is good for people such as web designers who have switched to Linux but still need to test their web sites in Internet Explorer. In addition to that, there are still a few web sites out there that work only in Internet Explorer.
http://www.howtoforge.com/ubuntu_internet_explorer
Linux ISO Image CD Help
Active ISO Burner (License - free)
Active ISO Burner will allow you to burn an ISO image file to CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+R DL(Dual Layer), DVD-RW and DVD+RW (including double layer, DL). Active ISO Burner software accepts command line parameters to automate ISO images burning process.
http://www.download.com/Active-ISO-Burner/3000-2646_4-10612384.html
Free virtual CD ROM for Windows XP
This free program for Windows XP lets you create a virtual CD drive on your hard disk. Some visitors to the site have confirmed that it works with Windows 2000 too (but this is not stated in Microsoft's official readme). For anyone unfamiliar with the terms 'virtual CD' or 'CD emulator', they mean that you can copy the entire contents of a CD-ROM to your hard disk and run the programs or access the files without the need for the original CD. This can make files more accessible, faster and more convenient. Given the speed and size of today's hard drives, you could easily fit a number of CDs onto your hard drive without noticing the difference. Assuming you had 30 full CDs, these would take around 20GB on a hard drive and all will be accessible after a few clicks of a mouse. As mentioned above, this program is free, and it is absolutely tiny at just 0.06MB. There are many similar commercial programs around, but they will set you back $50-$100 and can be substantially larger.
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/xpvirtualcd.html
ISO Recorder
Your CDs have to be converted to ISO files. That is not as hard as it sounds. Programs like Nero can do it, but there is another free tool for XP that will let you create ISO files in a flash. Welcome to the ISO Recorder download page. ISO Recorder is a tool (power toy) for Windows XP, 2003 and now Windows Vista, that allows (depending on the Windows version) to burn CD and DVD images (DVD support is only available on Windows Vista), copy disks, make images of the existing data CDs and DVDs and create ISO images from a content of a disk folder. ISO Recorder has been conceived during Windows XP beta program, when Microsoft for the first time started distributing new OS builds as ISO images. Even though the new OS had CD-burning support (by Roxio), it did not have an ability to record an image. ISO Recorder has filled this need and has been one of the poular Windows downloads ever since.
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com
ImgBurn (Blu-Ray ! )
ImgBurn is a lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application that everyone should have in their toolkit! It has several 'Modes', each one for performing a different task... ImgBurn supports a wide range of image file formats - including BIN, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI.... Oh and let's not forget the best thing about it.... it's 100% FREE ;-)
http://www.imgburn.com/
InfraRecorder
InfraRecorder is a free CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows. It offers a wide range of powerful features; all through an easy to use application interface and Windows Explorer integration. [Record disc images (ISO and BIN/CUE) ].
