will linux damage my system?

[erabyss]

=(, I am sorry. I know its bad form to post a question without researching it, but in order to save time...

Aside from the risk and dangers involved with anything dl from the internet. What are (if any) the risks of booting a liveCD OS?

I have access to one of my buddies notebook and I do not want to rist damaging his system in any way.
I would also love to know the risks I am taking from all these linux version I will surely try.

[Freston]

The OS itself will not touch the hard drive. A LiveCD is very safe in that respect. It is however very well possible to get root and access the hard drive yourself.
Depending on what you'll be doing on the drive, it may involve risk.

[erabyss]

Well ATM my only concern is the risks of booting the OS disk. I am about to boot it on a system that does not belong to me but I do not know anything about the risks involved. Not wanting to take any risk on something I do not own...

I will research the risks of this and that program as I come to use them. But tonight my only goal is to get a linux OS to function on any system, or rather learn how to get me to function on linux.

[valemon]

Using a live cd is never to going to harm your system as it loads in ram. Have a look here for some info.

[RobinVossen]

So, for example..
If you want to check a website out you dont trust to do whatever.
Use a LiveCD. For example I wanted to study a Rootkit.
So, well I just got a LiveCD and I started playing with it.
I didnt Damage anything

[erabyss]

So, for example..
If you want to check a website out you dont trust to do whatever.
Use a LiveCD. For example I wanted to study a Rootkit.
So, well I just got a LiveCD and I started playing with it.
I didnt Damage anything

Really? < not sarcastic)
That sounds awsome. Would you point me towards some place I can learn more about that? I know that is something I could use. Right now my research is focused on generally using linux on my notebook. so I wont be driven ATM to go off and learn about that right now on my own. BUT, if the info should fall on my screen, well I would have to read it them =).

[RobinVossen]

Well, I dont think you should look into Rootkits until you know what you are doing
Since if you do something wrong.. and like mount the HD..
Well.. then your HD will be damaged..

[erabyss]

Well, I dont think you should look into Rootkits until you know what you are doing
Since if you do something wrong.. and like mount the HD..
Well.. then your HD will be damaged..

LOL, I have to agree with you. 2 weeks ago I had never heard of a rootkit. Today I am still unsure what it is. I would not go messing around with something I do not understand. I would be curious to learn how I could use a live CD OS to protect my computer while being able to look at things that would normal damage or ruin my system. I am sorry if I did not make my question clear before. I will repost it again.

currently I am focused on simply learning how to use a linux OS. I would like to evenutally learn more about how running a live CD can protect my computer and let me "play" with things/programs that would normally damage or ruin my system.
And
I would not mind at all if you chose to hit me with a link or two.

[RobinVossen]

You can see a rootkit as a virus
Though its not the same.. A rootkit is a more like a Trojan Horse that is hiding in the kernel...
If I were you Id not play with them for atleast 2 years ..
Since some of them access the mount command..
And mount the HD and infect.. :o

[erabyss]

Im tired. Damn you kept me up past sunrise again!!! LOL

Here is some very tired rambling... Doubt it makes any sence=(

Im off to bed. You guys are awsome for helping me out while I am trying to head my head around this stuff.

2 years!!!? LOL thats funny. This is my first system but I have been bumming off other peoples computers all my life =). I just enjoy being infront in a computer screen. I know how to use windows well enough. I am just now starting to learn the more indepth things about computers. I am also in ITT-Tech learning ISS. Networking now. and in "2 years" I start ISS. I am sure i will learn all about rootkits and viruses. =)