Question Can the main system get infected, if the OS on virtual machine or on the USB flash drive gets infected?

[TheFlash1300]

Hi. So, if i install Linux Mint on a USB flash drive, connect the USB flash drive to my Windows 10 laptop, start surfing dangerous websites and Linux Mint gets infected with a virus, could Linux pass the virus to Windows through the USB port? If yes, what component will get infected, the BIOS or the Windows OS - or both?

If I boot another OS (Linux mint) from a USB flash drive, will the SSD, where the default OS of the laptop is stored, be disabled? If it's disabled, can it still get infected?

I'm trying to find a way to surf dangerous websites without exposing my system to risks. If I install another os on Virtual Machine, and the virtual machine gets infected, will the main system become infected, too?

 

[USAFRet]

Generally, a virus is written for only one OS. Linux, Windows, Apple.
A Linux virus won't infect a Windows system.

It is, however, possible to obtain a Windows virus while running Linux.
Then, a Windows OS could activate it.

Some viruses can detect if they are in an OS in a VM, and hide.

 

[TheFlash1300]

A Linux virus won't infect a Windows system.

This means my main system is 100% safe, if i boot Linux from a USB flash drive, and then, viruses penetrate the USB flash drive? And, i don't have to unplug the SSD from the motherboard in order to make sure it won't be infected, right?

 

[USAFRet]

This means my main system is 100% safe, if i boot Linux from a USB flash drive, and then, viruses penetrate the USB flash drive? And, i don't have to unplug the SSD from the motherboard in order to make sure it won't be infected, right?

Nothing is "100% safe".

https://thehackernews.com/2016/09/cross-platform-malware.html

 

[geofelt]

As above, nothing is 100% safe.
If a virus should be able to infect the motherboard bios, it can do anything it wants.

Protect whatever you value on a pc with EXTERNAL backup.

 

[TheFlash1300]

As above, nothing is 100% safe.
If a virus should be able to infect the motherboard bios, it can do anything it wants.

Protect whatever you value on a pc with EXTERNAL backup.

Can the BIOS still be infected, if I have Secure Boot enabled? How to scan the BIOS for viruses, and how to protect it?

 

[USAFRet]

Can the BIOS still be infected, if I have Secure Boot enabled? How to scan the BIOS for viruses, and how to protect it?

3 rd and most important piece of the malware triad:

1. Antivurus.
2. Antimalware.
3. The squishy stuff between your ears.

AKA....don't click on stupid stuff.
Or, do it on a sacrificial system.

And as always, keep good backups.

 

[TheFlash1300]

3 rd and most important piece of the malware triad:

1. Antivurus.
2. Antimalware.
3. The squishy stuff between your ears.

AKA....don't click on stupid stuff.
Or, do it on a sacrificial system.

And as always, keep good backups.

What anti-virus programs are able to scan the BIOS and tell if the BIOS is infected?