It gives you an operating system which is perfectly clean and operates only in the memory of the computer and is a perfectly safe way of doing internet banking."
By now some of you are saying that I don't make those kinds of mistakes with Windows. I keep my Windows system as clean as the first snow. And, maybe you can, but as security writer, Michael Horowitz, said, "In my opinion, while it is possible to secure a Windows computer, the process is too hard, too time-consuming and/or technically over the head of most people." Therefore, unless you're an expert who puts the time in to keep your PC safe, he recommends that you should "consider instead, Macs and Linux, my preference being Linux" for your online finances.
Get the point? It's not safe else there on the big nasty Internet for your Windows PC. Windows 7 is filled with improvements, but security isn't among them. As several of these people point out, it's not like you have to give up Windows. You can use live Linux CDs for when you need to go shopping on Amazon or the like, and then return to your comfortable, but not especially safe, Windows.
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I heard mention that the Chrome OS will have some sort of encryption available a la bitlocker. If it's possible to encrypt personal data using another password or key, then it may have potential for very secure data.... And Ubuntu has an 'encrypt home directory' option, perhaps google should follow suit.
- Dann
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For the more technically advanced/adventerous
Put a full (but smaller) Linux distribution on a USB key, then boot from it (I am currently using AntiX, based on Mepis). That way, it is easy to keep it up-to-date and more functional, with additional software of your choice.So, shutdown your computer, plug in the USB key, on bootup push the boot menu key (usually F12 on Dell machines), select boot from USB, and enjoy!
--AA
Puppy Linux is a horrible suggestion for security!
Puppy Linux has zilch security, other than low attack time of being a Live OS and no open ports so firewalls are useless, as the regular Puppy Linux only has the root user available.AntiX is a good choice, Tiny Core if you know what your doing.
Mandriva LiveCD's.
Ubuntu then PCLinuxOS and its lighter derivatives, but these only work with open drives off LiveCD so be aware.
Then if you have the hardware a Sabayon LiveDVD is quite nice and easy.
Windows unsafe for online banking
"Experts" coming up with the same conclusion I came up with 15 years ago?