Linux noob needs to setup homebanking pc

[wv67]

Hello All,

I’m interested in any thoughts or recommendations about installing linux on an older laptop that I will use as my on-line banking/bill pay/etc. computer. This will be the only use for it. I want to set up something more secure than my XP family pc for this. The laptop in question is an older Celeron equipped Toshiba satellite that I won on ebay awhile back. It seems to function fine with its xphome sp1 and memory chk revealed no errors.

My plan was to wipe the hd with dban, don’t know where the previous owner has been, and reinstall either ubuntu or openSUSE. Call me paranoid, but these modern conveniences make me a little nervous, despite supposedly being safer than putting checks in the mail. I’ve thrown in the towel in trying to get my wife and teenagers from browsing where ever and downloading whatever they want on the family computer.

Any thoughts, suggestions or better solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[CamoAnimal]

You should have no trouble doing all this and much more via Ubuntu. I suggest Ubuntu for newcomers to Linux, because it offers both ease of use for new users, and it has a lot of software options. It is also very secure. If you want an extra layer of protection you might consider downloading SElinux. It is a great firewall made specially for Linux computers.

For bills you can use a program built for Ubuntu (there are many to pick from) or you can use your favourite Windows applications through a program called WINE. WINE is a Windows emulator, which you can use to run software like Quicken or others of your choice.

[wv67]

Thanks! I have Ubuntu and Selinux already on order from osdisc.