Scanning windows from linux
in [Setup]
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From: Hans-Peter Diettrich on 28 Dec 2009 16:48 karthikbalaguru schrieb: >> Mandriva is a distribution which is available on a USB stick, and there >> are some others as well. > > I checked Mandriva website, yeah they > are providing on USB stick based linux, and since > it is a full fledged linux, i think the virus scanners > might be supported without much hassles ! > But it is not free :-( I'm also interested in a free (maybe trial) version of a Linux on an USB stick. Some time ago I tried to install such a system myself (BartPE?), but couldn't make it work with my machines. Now I don't know whether it's a matter of the software or of my BIOSes, why I couldn't boot from the stick :-( >> As I gather, the cost is not too high, but >> alternatively, you can do it yourself using a freely downloadable >> distribution and a USB memory stick you already own. There are HowTos >> about it on the web. ;-) Can you give a concrete link, or an search key? DoDi
From: G on 28 Dec 2009 19:05 In article <80080394-814b-40b1-9b50- dda4741053ba(a)q2g2000yqd.googlegroups.com>, karthikbalaguru79(a)gmail.com says... > > On Dec 28, 4:00 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > > On Sunday 27 December 2009 22:01 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody > > > > > > > > > > > > identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... > > > On Dec 27, 11:59 pm, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > > > > >> On Sunday 27 December 2009 14:34 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody > > >> identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... > > >> > I am looking for a Linux-based application that could scan > > >> > computers by accessing them via network. (Especially the > > >> > systems(windows based systems) that cannot be booted). > > > > >> How on earth are you going to access a computer _which_ _cannot_ _be_ > > >> _booted_ over the network? A network connection which shares > > >> filesystems over the network for scanning requires at least a minimal > > >> running operating system on the target machine. > > > > > Yes, it is a valid question. I am exploring various ways. > > > > > The problem is, one of the infected windows machine's CD/DVD > > > drive does not work . So, i was exploring alternate ways like > > > using rescue CD remotely/remote techniques from a remote machine > > > that has a CD/DVD drive (though i was aware of the chances > > > of its availability was very less). > > > Any ideas ? > > > For example, in linux there is a 'kickstart installation' technique > > > that will enable automated installation of Red Hat Linux on > > > indivdual computers based on the answers in the file in the > > > server. Similarly, is it not possible to boot windows remotely > > > so that rescue CD can be used on similar lines to recover it ? > > > > I suppose you could try a PXE boot, but the BIOS has to support it, and > > Windows has to support it as well. On the latter, I have no > > knowledge - I don't do Windows, sorry - so you would have to ask about > > that in a Windows group, or via the Microsoft Knowledge Base. > > > > > One thought is to dis-connect the non-working CD/DVD drive > > > and connect a working CD/DVD drive temporarily to fix this > > > issue. But, that is ruled out due to various reasons. > > > > At the moment it seems like you have no alternative. > > > > > Is there no other way except for replacing the CD/DVD > > > drive in that windows machine and trying with the rescue CD ? > > > No way to avoid the replacement of CD/DVD drive ? > > > > Not that I can think of, unless you've got some external USB storage > > device that the system can boot from - again, this is BIOS-dependent. > > > > If USB boot is supported on the target machine, then there are various > > tools in various distributions for making a bootable USB stick from > > which you could then scan the system, but none of those USB-based > > distributions would then be designated virus scanners, so you would > > probably have to add the antivirus software to the USB stick manually. > > It can be done, but it's quite a bit of work. > > > > This sounds great . This will surely be helpful :-) :-) > I think, this approach can be tried out. I need to check for the USB- > based > Free distributions and need to check for the method to add the Free > antivirus software to the USB stick. Can you lemme know the > steps/links that talk in detail about this ? > > > On the other hand, you should be able to pick up a cheap second-hand > > internal CD or DVD drive somewhere and mount it in the machine with the > > broken CD player. > > > Yeah, this is another good idea, but in the current scenario, this is > ruled > out due to various reasons. > > Thx in advans, > Karthik Balaguru I've been partial to Fedora for a long time. So here's one for you to check out. https://fedorahosted.org/liveusb-creator/ https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/How_to_create_and_use_Live_USB I've never used, but have heard many good impressions of DSL. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ And here's a little more info. http://www.linux-live.org/
From: Aragorn on 28 Dec 2009 20:04 On Monday 28 December 2009 19:09 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... > On Dec 28, 9:35 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > >> On Monday 28 December 2009 05:20 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody >> identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... >> >> > On Dec 28, 4:00 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: >> >> >> If USB boot is supported on the target machine, then there are >> >> various tools in various distributions for making a bootable USB >> >> stick from which you could then scan the system, but none of those >> >> USB-based distributions would then be designated virus scanners, >> >> so you would probably have to add the antivirus software to the >> >> USB stick manually. It can be done, but it's quite a bit of work. >> >> > This sounds great . This will surely be helpful :-) :-) >> > I think, this approach can be tried out. I need to check for the >> > USB- based Free distributions and need to check for the method to >> > add the Free antivirus software to the USB stick. >> >> Mandriva is a distribution which is available on a USB stick, and >> there are some others as well. > > I checked Mandriva website, yeah they > are providing on USB stick based linux, and since > it is a full fledged linux, i think the virus scanners > might be supported without much hassles ! > But it is not free :-( Of course not - last thing I heard nobody was giving away USB sticks for free yet. ;-) > Lemme know if there is any other USB Stick > based linux flavour that is available for Free ? You are not going to find one, since USB sticks cost money. Most distributions do however have the necessary tools for creating a USB-stick-based GNU/Linux distribution, and some may even have preconfigured and automated utilities to do such a thing for you. > Also, lemme know if there is a USB stick > based linux flavour that would support virus > scanners ? Google is your friend. > No clear info from internet so far. Then you didn't look well enough. ;-) >> As I gather, the cost is not too high, but >> alternatively, you can do it yourself using a freely downloadable >> distribution and a USB memory stick you already own. There are >> HowTos about it on the web. ;-) >> > > Thinking on similar lines, i got an idea to try a > Floppy based linux instead of USB. Well, good luck with that then. The 2.6 kernel doesn't even fit on a floppy anymore, so you'd be stuck with an old kernel, which may not support all of your hardware. For instance, I don't even know whether 2.4 supports SATA hard disks. > I know of MiniRTL(based on busybox) that did > not have dependency on HDD except for the RAM > (Even the RAM requirement is very minimal). > Other than that, there are other flavours like > 'Tomsrtbt', Asmutils based 'a-Linux' and various > other Busybox based flavours. But,they are all > Floppy based. If they are floppy-based, then they will certainly not hold any decent antivirus software, given the size of such software suits. > But, floppy drive is not available in that machine :-( Then why even consider it? ;-) > Does tomsrtbt support USB stick based boot up ? That is not what it was designed for, but in theory, you should be able to make a bootable USB stick with the contents of that CD, yes. On the other hand, you'd be far better off with a more complete distribution, e.g. Knoppix. > I may check with the tomsrtbt user list regd this. > Incase you have any information w.r.t tomsrtbt > you can lemme know. I can't really help you with that. I've only used it once or twice, in order to detect hardware errors on one of my machines. > Another query that pops in my mind is > that these minimal versions/flavours of linux > might not have lot of features. They might be greatly > stripped and hence not sure if they would be able to > provide all required support for virus scanner or similar > tools !! > Any thoughts on this ? Yes, that is what I wrote higher up already. You'd be far better off with a "real" distro. There are several live-CD based distros, and other distros allow you to make a live-CD with a few simple mouseclicks, or a bootable USB stick. Look here and see whether you can find something to your liking: http://www.distrowatch.com > Incase these minimal versions are not suitable > for existing along with virus scanning utility in > the USB stick, do lemme know. They will probably not have such scanners "on board", so you'd have to add them yourself. The simpler the base you start from, the more work you'll have at producing a bootable USB stick with a working distro *and* a virus scanner. > PS - Have looped in comp.os.linux.embedded > to get their thoughts also as it is going towards > that direction also interms of footprints,utilities > in FD based linux, USB stick based linux , > Tiny linux flavours having support for virus scanner > etc. USB sticks and floppy disks are not "embedded Linux". Embedded (GNU/)Linux is what you find in routers, cellphones and satnav systems, i.e. the "system on a chip" approach. Such systems usually don't come with antivirus software, and most of the time those devices are configured to not work as if they are complete UNIX systems. For instance, a Linksys WRT router has a Linux-based system in firmware, but other than approaching it via a webbrowser to make a few changes to the settings, you can't do much with it, since the device was never designed for any other purposes than being a router. Alternative firmware downloads do exist, but they really *are* alternative, i.e. you'd have to install it yourself. And for your intended purposes, the issue is moot. -- *Aragorn* (registered GNU/Linux user #223157)
From: karthikbalaguru on 28 Dec 2009 21:59 On Dec 29, 1:08 am, markhob...(a)hotpop.donottypethisbit.com (Mark Hobley) wrote: > karthikbalaguru <karthikbalagur...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Lemme know if there is any other USB Stick > > based linux flavour that is available for Free ? > > Ubuntu provides a utility to create a bootable USB stick. > > > > > Also, lemme know if there is a USB stick > > based linux flavour that would support virus > > scanners ? > > Ubuntu provides clamav. > Great ! This is interesting. I searched for setting up ubuntu in USB stick and the below link - http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-x-ubuntu-610/ Another link that claims the installation of ubuntu in USB stick from Live CD is below - http://www.techbuzz.in/installation-of-ubuntu-in-a-usbflash-drive-from-the-live-cd.php Does clamav come by default after following the procedures mentioned in the below link ? http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-x-ubuntu-610/ Or, should we need to add clamav by setting up the network/internet once the ubuntu is up from the USB stick ? Thx in advans, Karthik Balaguru
From: karthikbalaguru on 28 Dec 2009 22:41
On Dec 29, 6:04 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > On Monday 28 December 2009 19:09 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody > > > > > > identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... > > On Dec 28, 9:35 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > > >> On Monday 28 December 2009 05:20 in comp.os.linux.setup, somebody > >> identifying as karthikbalaguru wrote... > > >> > On Dec 28, 4:00 am, Aragorn <arag...(a)chatfactory.invalid> wrote: > > >> >> If USB boot is supported on the target machine, then there are > >> >> various tools in various distributions for making a bootable USB > >> >> stick from which you could then scan the system, but none of those > >> >> USB-based distributions would then be designated virus scanners, > >> >> so you would probably have to add the antivirus software to the > >> >> USB stick manually. It can be done, but it's quite a bit of work. > > >> > This sounds great . This will surely be helpful :-) :-) > >> > I think, this approach can be tried out. I need to check for the > >> > USB- based Free distributions and need to check for the method to > >> > add the Free antivirus software to the USB stick. > > >> Mandriva is a distribution which is available on a USB stick, and > >> there are some others as well. > > > I checked Mandriva website, yeah they > > are providing on USB stick based linux, and since > > it is a full fledged linux, i think the virus scanners > > might be supported without much hassles ! > > But it is not free :-( > > Of course not - last thing I heard nobody was giving away USB sticks for > free yet. ;-) > > > Lemme know if there is any other USB Stick > > based linux flavour that is available for Free ? > > You are not going to find one, since USB sticks cost money. Most > distributions do however have the necessary tools for creating a > USB-stick-based GNU/Linux distribution, and some may even have > preconfigured and automated utilities to do such a thing for you. > > > Also, lemme know if there is a USB stick > > based linux flavour that would support virus > > scanners ? > > Google is your friend. > > > No clear info from internet so far. > > Then you didn't look well enough. ;-) > I got few links, but not exact info. I think the below link is one of the good input to start for USB stick based linux flavour. http://www.linux.com/distrocentral/distronews/8221-comparing-linux-usb-flash-disk-distros But, it does not clearly convey the method of addition of new softwares/applications to USB stick based linux. I assume that i need to set up the network/internet and download the application/ software of interest(anti-virus, etc ) once the linux boots up from the USB stick and occupies the RAM. Another possible method could be to add the software/application to a particular folder in USB Stick so that it gets added into a directory from where it could be executed to get installed once the ubuntu gets booted off the USB stick and occupies the RAM. For setting up ubuntu in USB stick - http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-x-ubuntu-610/ Setting up ubuntu in USB stick from Live CD - http://www.techbuzz.in/installation-of-ubuntu-in-a-usbflash-drive-from-the-live-cd.php Incase of ubuntu, http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-ubuntu-710-gutsy-gibbon-install/ I think, after the below step, the application/software can be copied into the USB folder itself. ' Download UBconvert.zip and extract the files to the USB folder ' But, not sure. Any ideas ? Any trick for adding the application/software so that the application comes by default when it gets booted up from the USB Stick instead of adding it everytime ? That is , it need not be installed once the linux gets booted up from the USB stick ? Still searching for information w.r.t this. Lemme know if you got some information regarding this. > >> As I gather, the cost is not too high, but > >> alternatively, you can do it yourself using a freely downloadable > >> distribution and a USB memory stick you already own. There are > >> HowTos about it on the web. ;-) > > > Thinking on similar lines, i got an idea to try a > > Floppy based linux instead of USB. > > Well, good luck with that then. The 2.6 kernel doesn't even fit on a > floppy anymore, so you'd be stuck with an old kernel, which may not > support all of your hardware. For instance, I don't even know whether > 2.4 supports SATA hard disks. > > > I know of MiniRTL(based on busybox) that did > > not have dependency on HDD except for the RAM > > (Even the RAM requirement is very minimal). > > Other than that, there are other flavours like > > 'Tomsrtbt', Asmutils based 'a-Linux' and various > > other Busybox based flavours. But,they are all > > Floppy based. > > If they are floppy-based, then they will certainly not hold any decent > antivirus software, given the size of such software suits. > > > But, floppy drive is not available in that machine :-( > > Then why even consider it? ;-) > > > Does tomsrtbt support USB stick based boot up ? > > That is not what it was designed for, but in theory, you should be able > to make a bootable USB stick with the contents of that CD, yes. On the > other hand, you'd be far better off with a more complete distribution, > e.g. Knoppix. > > > I may check with the tomsrtbt user list regd this. > > Incase you have any information w.r.t tomsrtbt > > you can lemme know. > > I can't really help you with that. I've only used it once or twice, in > order to detect hardware errors on one of my machines. > > > Another query that pops in my mind is > > that these minimal versions/flavours of linux > > might not have lot of features. They might be greatly > > stripped and hence not sure if they would be able to > > provide all required support for virus scanner or similar > > tools !! > > Any thoughts on this ? > > Yes, that is what I wrote higher up already. You'd be far better off > with a "real" distro. There are several live-CD based distros, and > other distros allow you to make a live-CD with a few simple > mouseclicks, or a bootable USB stick. Look here and see whether you > can find something to your liking: > > http://www.distrowatch.com > Nice link ! This link would be of great help to me. It is fantastic. Your response has been very helpful !! > > Incase these minimal versions are not suitable > > for existing along with virus scanning utility in > > the USB stick, do lemme know. > > They will probably not have such scanners "on board", so you'd have to > add them yourself. The simpler the base you start from, the more work > you'll have at producing a bootable USB stick with a working distro > *and* a virus scanner. > Thx in advans, Karthik Balaguru |