backing up windows

[Alma J Wetzker]

> Ian Stephen <ianstepn at shaw.ca> Thu, 21 Aug 2003 22:31:35 -0700
> 
> On Thu, 2003-08-21 at 20:41, Keith Antoine wrote:
> <snip>
> 
>> I can transfer files back
>>
>>>>and forth just as I can from a linux booted system.
>>>
>>><snip>
>>
>>NO way! Windows files are not executable on Linux, so it is immune to win 
>>viruii, this is one of the reasons I use linux.
> 
> 
> My concern is that the code will execute on Windows and use this Ext2FS
> to access Linux and do something nasty there.
> 
> If my dual-boot machine is running Windows (rare, but it happens) and
> something infected Windows that can read/write the Linux partitions...
> couldn't that thing have its way with my Linux stuff while the penquin
> is 'asleep'?

The relevent issue is what OS is running when you do your mail.  If you 
run wine and open your mail with exchange, your concerns are valid.  If 
the OS code to activate the virus isn't available on your system, the 
virus never gets activated.  The virus will sit, inert, in your mail 
until it is deleted.

If you open the message while in windoze, then you are infected.  The 
virus NEEDS the OS to respond before it can do it's thing.  If the OS 
doesn't respond, and linux will not respond to a windoze targetted 
attack unles wine responds, the virus never starts.

     -- Alma