Vista/Linux Dual Boot Question

Hi, I've never used Linux before but when I get my new laptop I want to dual boot Ubuntu and Vista. Ubuntu looks amazing and doesn't have all the flaws associated with Windows.. Anyways since I'm not really a tech person per se this is probably a stupid question but: if I download a Windows directed virus on Linux will it get into my Vista (since they would be on the same HDD) or will it be safe and the virus will just do nothing?

Thanks.

EDIT: Also will Linux work on any machine, I'll be getting the Gateway P-6860FX.

 

If you don't put the virus file to the Windows partition, you have nothing to worry about. If you just download the file on any of the Ubuntu's folder then it won't affect the Windows partition. Note that from Ubuntu you can see the Windows partition (default install). You can change this so that you will never make the mistake of downloading the virus file to the Windows folder.

By the way, Ubuntu and Linux in general is very mature nowadays, but don't expect them to be the same as Windows. You do have to learn a little bit of how it works to maximize the functionality so that it will be as good if not better than Windows.

 

I'm fine with learning how it works, that's half the fun! I just don't know a whole lot currently but once I get it installed I can't wait to start experimenting.

EDIT: I've just had another question, you said you can 'see' the Windows partition what do you mean by that? Can you copy files from it onto Linux?

 

If you can "see" the Windows partition yes, sure, you can copy files from the partition.

 

Not so short answer: The virus will do nothing in Linux, but in Windows this depends on whether or not Windows can see the partition you downloaded the virus to. If it's a native Linux partition (like ext2 or ext3 or Reiser), Windows won't be able to access it, so you'll be safe. If, however, you download it to a filesystem that can be accessed by both Linux AND Windows, like NTFS or FAT32, then when you boot into Windows the virus can do damage.

However, the chances of downloading a virus (any virus) in Linux are so slim, I fail to see how this could be a problem. Still a good antivirus/antispyware is a must for Windows these days. You can try a free Avast antivirus, or Spyware Doctor, if you need antispyware.

 

If the virus is an executable Linux won't run it. The program would also need authorization to run as a program anyways (CLI method is "sudo chown +x programname), so no harm done.

 

A virus cannot do anything unless you actively execute it, in Windows or Linux (or pretty much any operating system for that matter). Just downloading it won't do anything. You have to run it (i.e. double click on it) for it to take effect. That said, unless you install the software I link below so that you can read/write to your Linux partition from Windows, then browse your Linux partition in Windows, find the Windows executable, and execute it, you'll be fine.

Don't you mean

Code:

chmod +x [u]program name[/u]

chown is for changing the file ownership; chmod is for changing file permissions, including executing. And the sudo is only necessary if you don't own the file you're changing permissions for.

By default, you can read/write to the Windows partition from Linux. That includes copying files from the Windows partition to the Linux partition. If you want to access your Linux partition from Windows, that's possible as well, with this program: http://www.fs-driver.org/.

 

Yeah, thats what I meant.

Thank you for correcting me.