A beginner's question.

[mercurybird]

I have heard that if a virtual system is setup correctly , that it is a secure system. I suppose that is a yes/no/yes question.

My question is, what if I replace my 64-bit Win 7 Home Premium with Windows XP 32-bit. Then install my Win 7 onto that host system as a 64-bit virtual system. Then connect that to SmoothWall. My virtual 64-bit system would be used like a host, and my XP would be used like a guest.

How would that be more or less secure? I just want to see if I can do it. Not sure if I would leave it that way.

[Sasquatch]

Yes, it can be done. Why would you want to do it anyway? If you already have a 64 bit host, you probably have more than 4 GB of RAM and if you use XP as Host, you won't be able to use that.

As for the security, I think you're best to use a VM for what it's mostly used for: a sandbox. If you screw up your Host, you have to install it again from scratch, have no other system to work with, etc. If you mess up the Guest, you still have a Host to work with while the Guest is installing. Another think to consider is keyloggers. If you happen to get one on the Host, then it's very likely it can capture keystrokes that are send to the VM.

So, again, yes, it can be done, but it's questionable why you would do it.

[mercurybird]

Well I'm not savvy enough with virtual drives to know otherwise. That's why I posted the question. Thanks for a GREAT explanation. I've messed with Windows virtual machine and virtual box for almost a week. What got me going on it is the ability to set up a virtual SmoothWall with it. But the talking heads in Smoothwall say it's a less then ideal way to run it.

[Sasquatch]

That's because they made Smoothwall to be a router/firewall, right between the internet and your local network. Anything that wants to go to the internet, needs to use the Smoothwall machine. When it's run as a VM, there is always a possibility to access internet without the need of Smoothwall. Hence they don't recommend it, but it can be done. You just need some proper network knowledge and your way around VMs.

[mercurybird]

Thanks for clearing it up for me. Good stuff.