Bank online securely through an Ubuntu live disc

Edited by Rich, Eng, estrella sacragon, Lynn

3 Parts:
How to Bank Online Securely Through an Ubuntu Live Disc
Tips Tricks & Warnings
Comments

Banking online through a bootable operating system, which is stored on a removable disc, removes many of the pitfalls associated with computer viruses and Trojans. A live disc stores an image of the operating system that can be loaded when a computer is started. This tutorial will be about using a Linux-based Ubuntu image. A live disc boots before the default operating system of a machine. This prevents any malware from affecting the operating system which is installed on the live disc. The live disc boots entirely to the computer's RAM; therefore no data is stored on the hard drive. Once the live operating system session is ended, any data is completely erased.

In contrast, banking online through the default operating system allows malicious software to steal data from browser cookies, hard drives, and keyloggers. Since all this data is lost at the end of each session, banking with a live disc is more secure.

Tools that you will need

  • Ubuntu
  • Computer
  • Working internet connection
  • CD/DVD burning disc drive
  • CD/DVD+RW disc

Instructions

  1. 1
    Acquire an Ubuntu ISO file
    .
    The safest place to get an Ubuntu image is from the Ubuntu download page which is located at http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop. You should download the LTS, or long-term support, release as this is the most stable operating system available.
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  2. 2
    Check the download integrity
    .
    Check the file size or the MD5 hash to see if the file has downloaded properly.
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  3. 3
    How to burn the .ISO to a disc
    .
    Next you will burn the .ISO image to the disc. The instructions vary depending on the operating system.  
    1. Insert the DVD/CD into the disc drive. Open and insert the medium into the computers CD/DVD burning drive. Every computer disc drive will have the RW icon on the face plate if it is capable of burning information to discs.
    2. Windows  
      1. Context menu. Disc burning option are available in both Windows 7 and 8 from the right click context menu.
      2. Right click the .ISO.
      3. Select "Burn disc image".
      4. Select the appropriate disc drive.
      5. Check the "Verify disc after burning" option.
      6. Left click the "Burn" button.
    3. Mac. The Disk Utility in OS X is capable of managing .ISO burning.  
      1. Open Applications from the System toolbar.
      2. Open Utilities.
      3. Left click on Disk Utility.
      4. Drag and drop the .ISO file to the left panel.
      5. Left click the .ISO
      6. Select "Burn" from the top toolbar.
      7. Check the "Verify burned data" check box.
      8. Left click the "Burn" button.
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  4. 4
    Restart
    .
    Leave the disc in the drive and restart the computer. Most BIOS are set to run any media within the CD/DVD drive on start up. The next instructions will detail how to change your BIOS if necessary. If the disc boots then skip to step 6.
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  5. 5
    How to Load and Change BIOS Boot Order
    .
     
    1. Windows  
      1. At startup: During startup, the PC will respond and load BIOS when the appropriate key is pressed. The appropriate key varies depending on manufacturer, but the most common keys are F1, F2, F10, and Delete. When the computer is loading, but before Windows begins to start, press the hotkey to enter BIOS.
      2. Access the Boot menu. The BIOS utility loads with a toolbar at the top. Choose the "Boot" option. The screen shows a list of all removable media slots and disc drives which are installed to the motherboard. The top value is the first device the BIOS tries to boot from. In this list the CD/DVD drive needs to be above the "Hard Drive" option in order to boot from the live CD before entering your operating system. Simply follow the instructions at the bottom of the utility to move the CD drive above the hard drive.
      3. Save and Exit. Most Boot Utilities require pressing F10 to save and exit. The utility will list what key is assigned to the save and exit process at the bottom of the utility. Press the hotkey and allow the computer to reboot.
    2. Mac  
      1. Shortcut Key. With a Mac OS, a BIOS is not used to determine boot order. Press the "C" key during initialization to enter the device choice menu. Select the drive which contains the live CD and enter setup.
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  6. 6
    Check the installation
    .
    A menu will appear first on the screen after booting the live disc. Check the integrity of the installation by selecting the "Check CD for Defects" option. Follow the instructions displayed if an error is detected.
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  7. 7
    Start Ubuntu
    .
    Select "Start or install Ubuntu" to begin the operating system from the disc.
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  8. 8
    Select "Try Ubuntu"
    .
    A welcome screen should greet you. Since we do not want to save any information to the hard drive, select the language and press "Try Ubuntu."
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  9. 9
    Open Firefox
    .
    The desktop area of Ubuntu is now loaded and present. Ubuntu ships with the Firefox web browser. You can install another if you wish, but it will be deleted after the operating system is closed.
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  10. 10
    Bank
    !
    Perform any banking needed through the internet browser.
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  11. 11
    Shutdown Ubuntu
    .
    Exit Ubuntu when you are ready to close the live CD and return to the default operating system. The shutdown options are available by left-clicking the gear icon in the upper right corner. Open the context menu and select Restart.
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  12. 12
    Remove disc
    .
    Remove the disc while the computer is restarting to allow BIOS to load the operating system from the hard drive.
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How to Bank Online Securely Through an Ubuntu Live Disc

How to Bank Online Securely Through an Ubuntu Live Disc 14608.jpg

Among the amazing benefits of online banking via an operating system that is boot-able and is stowed on a removable disc, is the fact that it could eradicate several pitfalls that are often related to computer Trojans and viruses. A live disc has the capacity to stow the operating system's images, which then can be lumbered, once a computer is powered up.

The following facts are about Ubuntu image that is Linux-based. This is a live-disc, which boots prior to machine's default OS (operating system). This could avoid any kind of malware, thus, safeguarding the operating system that has been instated on the live disc. Live disc boots completely to the RAM of the computer, thus, there is no stored data, specifically on the hard drive. Once the live OS session is finished, any data is eradicated completely.

Banking online via a default OS enables malicious software to get data from the hard drives, browser cookies, as well as keyloggers.

The tools

  1. 1
    Computer
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  2. 2
    Ubuntu
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  3. 3
    Internet Connection
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  4. 4
    CD/DVD+RW disc
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  5. 5
    CD/DVD burning disc drive
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Directions

  1. 1
    Get the Ubuntu ISO file
    .
    It can be acquired from the download page of Ubuntu. Make sure to get the long-term support, or LTS, since this is the most cohesive OS.
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  2. 2
    Check the integrity of the download, specifically the MD5 hash or the file size, to ascertain if the file has been properly downloaded.
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  3. 3
    Burn the Ubuntu's ISO to the disc
    .
    You must know how to burn in Windows, if the computer is Windows based. If the computer is Mac, then you must know the steps to burn in Mac.
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  4. 4
    Let the disc stay in the drive, and then restart the computer
    .
    The majority of BIOS are programmed to run in any kind of media that is in the CD/DVD drive.
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  5. 5
    Load and then modify the boot order for the BIOS.
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  6. 6
    Check the status of the installation
    .
    There will be a menu that will show up on the screen once the live disc has been booted. The integrity of the installation can be seen by choosing the Check CD for Defects option, and then just follow the directions in case there is an error.
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  7. 7
    Begin Ubuntu by selecting the Option Start or Install Ubuntu
    .
    This must be done to start the OS from the disc.
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  8. 8
    Choose the Try Ubuntu option
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  9. 9
    Open the Firefox browser
    .
    Ubuntu's desktop area is now loaded. Ubuntu works with this browser; however, you can install another, yet you should expect that it will be erased once the OS has been closed.
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  10. 10
    You can now start banking through the chosen internet browser.
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Tips when using Ubuntu

  1. 1
    When it comes to troubleshooting, it's better to acquire assistance from the website of Ubuntu.
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  2. 2
    Utilize a Pen Drive
    .
    A USB or the same pen can be utilized as an alternative for the disc. The directions are the same, yet extra software may be needed.
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  3. 3
    User should memorize by heart the password, as well as the login, since the OS or the disc won't save them.
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Tips Tricks & Warnings

  • Troubleshooting. In depth Ubuntu assistance is available through the Ubuntu web site.
  • Use a Pen Drive. An USB (or similar) drive can be used in place of a disc. The steps are similar, but additional software might be required.
  • Memorize your password. Your online banking login and passwords will not be saved on the disc or by the operating system. It is critical to memorize your password for optimal security.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Article Info

Categories : Financial

Recent edits by: estrella sacragon, Eng, Rich

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