[SOLVED] Completely separate PC for work/personal usage

[0bsidianz]

I decided it is best to separate my personal and work usage of my home PC for security reasons.
For work I have to use installed software I don't completely trust will honor my privacy while for personal stuff I keep it clean.
Since both are primary ways I use the PC I need to keep the hardware performance and capabilites, I am unsure what strategy is best. Here are some I have in mind but still question:

1. Using a VM, such as Virtualbox, Vmware or Hyper-V for work - I'm worried about performance drops.
2. Two OSs - I question the security when the filesystem still accessible from both OS

I will appreciate any ideas and suggestions!

 

[Remeca]

I'd suggest a second physical pc with a kvm switch.

For ease of use, you could instead of a kvm use a second monitor attached to the second PC, and use something like Synergy to switch between them. (final free version here if you don't want to pay for it)
https://chocolatey.org/packages/synergy

 

[USAFRet]

2 physical systems.

120GB is not large enough for 2 independent OS's. It is barely big enough for one.

 

[0bsidianz]

Thanks for your replies, I didn't consider a second device as that would be costly.
I can get a bigger SSD for running two OS but will that be secure enough?

 

[Remeca]

How important is security to you? And expense depends on what you use your work computer for. You can get a preowned quad core workstation with usually around 8gb ram and at least a 500 GB hdd for between 75-150 USD. If you're really looking to go cheap, there are tutorials all over on installing a second OS on another drive, and how to keep them separate from each other.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for your replies, I didn't consider a second device as that would be costly.
I can get a bigger SSD for running two OS but will that be secure enough?

Depends on what each system is running.
What specific security issues are you looking at?

Even with 2 physical drives and an OS each, the other drive is still available unless you physically disconnect it.

 

[Alabalcho]

One SSD per scenario. Physically Swap SSDs as necessary. Now you have "two devices".
An option for single SSD:

• One partition for Windows (shared).
• One BitLocker-ed partition for work files.
• Another BitLocker-ed partition for private files.
• One user account per scenario. Unlock partitions as necessary.

You can still "poison" shared OS partition, tough.

 

[stonecarver]

https://www.ebay.com/i/114046912341...MI4pqhgP355gIVgcBkCh2DKQWeEAQYAyABEgJd5vD_BwE

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF8q0imd0Lk