[SOLVED] Is dual booting a security issue?

[CupidsHelper]

If I, for example dual boot LM 18.3 and LM 19, would this have any security issues? Please provide links, if you have any that state it is or is not a security issue. Thanks.

[jimallyn]

The only way I can see dual booting being a security issue is if one of the installed operating systems is Windows. As long as the installed operating systems are secure, which Linux generally is, I don't see why it would matter how many of them you have installed.

[sdibaja]

To the best of my knowledge any user of LM 18.3 and LM 19 can see/edit/delete any and all files/folders/programs on the entire computer, without needing a User or Root password.
I would call that a security issue... But that is not a new thing, people like it that way.
so You can't let a friend or family member use your computer "for just a minute" to check their email or their whataps.

If that is not a concern for you, then there are Zero security issues having Many OSs on the same computer.

[Mattyboy]

Encrypt local users accounts /home folders then no no real security issues when duel booting different versions of Linux.

Issues start when you're also booting with Windows and sharing files between it and Linux. You can download a file with a Windows virus in Linux, while it won't effect it, you can infect the Windows machine when sharing that file...but then its the Windows users responsibility to deal with all that rubbish.

[sdibaja]

Good advice Mattyboy

Encrypt local users accounts /home folders then no no real security issues when duel booting different versions of Linux.

can that encrypted folder be deleted by another user?
if so, would it require a root password?

The key to preserving Data is off machine Backups. Daily, or more often for Important Data.

Caution with Windows 10 is advised. It can do and Update that "helpfully" captures more drive space, formatting your non-ntfs partitions = Linux. When it finishes you have Only W10 left on your machine. It happened to me, Once.

[Pierre]

as someone who multi_boots just about everything in sight,
and I've not yet seem anything that could be an security issue,
- even with the Windows Operating System.

the trick IMHO is not keep anything sensitive on your machine:
- backups is what they say, don't they.

BTW: I've managed to let my guard down, just the once,,
and it was of course a dual_boot with win-10 . . .
- - need I say anymore ?.

[Mattyboy]

can that encrypted folder be deleted by another user?
if so, would it require a root password?

I imagine so if they have the root password yes.

Its easy enough to create and delete accounts ( including /home files ) if you have that.

Use

Code: Select all

sudo passwd 

to set a different root pass, make it different from login passwords, even the admin ( your ) account. You don't give normal users access to root privileges anyway.

You could delete anything, in theory, from a live boot ( OR a multi Linux boot scenario on none currently mounted system essential drives ) anyway but because its encrypted not access the files without the password.

[JerryF]

To the best of my knowledge any user of LM 18.3 and LM 19 can see/edit/delete any and all files/folders/programs on the entire computer, without needing a User or Root password.
I would call that a security issue... But that is not a new thing, people like it that way.

That's not entirely correct. If you're logged in as a user, you cannot delete system folders and files without becoming root or using the sudo command.

[Moem]

the trick IMHO is not keep anything sensitive on your machine:
- backups is what they say, don't they.

Those are two entirely different things, though. A backup means that you have a copy (or copies) of all important data... it doesn't mean that there is no sensitive data on your machine.

[JerryF]

If I, for example dual boot LM 18.3 and LM 19, would this have any security issues? Please provide links, if you have any that state it is or is not a security issue. Thanks.

As long as folder and file permissions remain as default, then no, you shouldn't have any security issues.

Now, if someone had physical access to your computer and that person can boot a Live DVD/USB, then security is compromised.

[CupidsHelper]

The only way I can see dual booting being a security issue is if one of the installed operating systems is Windows. As long as the installed operating systems are secure, which Linux generally is, I don't see why it would matter how many of them you have installed.

Thank you, kindly. *Side note, sad about Github. MS owns it now. "Embrace, extend, and extinguish." There is Gitlab and others.

[CupidsHelper]

To the best of my knowledge any user of LM 18.3 and LM 19 can see/edit/delete any and all files/folders/programs on the entire computer, without needing a User or Root password.
I would call that a security issue... But that is not a new thing, people like it that way.
so You can't let a friend or family member use your computer "for just a minute" to check their email or their whataps.

If that is not a concern for you, then there are Zero security issues having Many OSs on the same computer.

Thanks. Time to find a good hiding place for the power cable.

[CupidsHelper]

Encrypt local users accounts /home folders then no no real security issues when duel booting different versions of Linux.

Issues start when you're also booting with Windows and sharing files between it and Linux. You can download a file with a Windows virus in Linux, while it won't effect it, you can infect the Windows machine when sharing that file...but then its the Windows users responsibility to deal with all that rubbish.

Thank you. Good idea encrypt the home folders, yes.

[CupidsHelper]

Good advice Mattyboy

Encrypt local users accounts /home folders then no no real security issues when duel booting different versions of Linux.

can that encrypted folder be deleted by another user?
if so, would it require a root password?

The key to preserving Data is off machine Backups. Daily, or more often for Important Data.

Caution with Windows 10 is advised. It can do and Update that "helpfully" captures more drive space, formatting your non-ntfs partitions = Linux. When it finishes you have Only W10 left on your machine. It happened to me, Once.

Yes, I agree backups are a must.

[CupidsHelper]

as someone who multi_boots just about everything in sight,
and I've not yet seem anything that could be an security issue,
- even with the Windows Operating System.

the trick IMHO is not keep anything sensitive on your machine:
- backups is what they say, don't they.

BTW: I've managed to let my guard down, just the once,,
and it was of course a dual_boot with win-10 . . .
- - need I say anymore ?.

True. Thanks for sharing. Yep win 10 is a dream for MS, all the spyware that is built into it.

[CupidsHelper]

can that encrypted folder be deleted by another user?
if so, would it require a root password?

I imagine so if they have the root password yes.

Its easy enough to create and delete accounts ( including /home files ) if you have that.

Use

Code: Select all

sudo passwd 

to set a different root pass, make it different from login passwords, even the admin ( your ) account. You don't give normal users access to root privileges anyway.

You could delete anything, in theory, from a live boot ( OR a multi Linux boot scenario on none currently mounted system essential drives ) anyway but because its encrypted not access the files without the password.

Loving the encryption tech!!

[CupidsHelper]

To the best of my knowledge any user of LM 18.3 and LM 19 can see/edit/delete any and all files/folders/programs on the entire computer, without needing a User or Root password.
I would call that a security issue... But that is not a new thing, people like it that way.

That's not entirely correct. If you're logged in as a user, you cannot delete system folders and files without becoming root or using the sudo command.

Good to know.

[CupidsHelper]

the trick IMHO is not keep anything sensitive on your machine:
- backups is what they say, don't they.

Those are two entirely different things, though. A backup means that you have a copy (or copies) of all important data... it doesn't mean that there is no sensitive data on your machine.

As others have stated, encryption seems to be the best option sensitive data on your machine.

[CupidsHelper]

If I, for example dual boot LM 18.3 and LM 19, would this have any security issues? Please provide links, if you have any that state it is or is not a security issue. Thanks.

As long as folder and file permissions remain as default, then no, you shouldn't have any security issues.

Now, if someone had physical access to your computer and that person can boot a Live DVD/USB, then security is compromised.

Hiding power cable now.

[Moem]

As others have stated, encryption seems to be the best option sensitive data on your machine.

... Sure. I'm not sure why you're telling me this. It neither confirms nor contradicts anything I said.