I'm still somewhat of a novice with Computers in certain ways, so let's see how succinct I can make these questions and not make you have to read a book.
Until I can afford to replace it (or depending on the answer to my Second Question) , I'm still running Windows 2000 Pro on my Internet machine (circa 1999 Compaq w/ Celeron 700 MHz & 256 MB Ram) and it is due for a re-format, after which I plan on using Portable Apps Suite for my Online activities. My first question is...
1 - What is the bare minimum needed on my machine after a clean install of the OS?
Of course, I'll need to install Win2K SP2 & update Windows Installer first for it to work correctly (AVG Antivirus won't install without it).
After that, is there a need for a supplemental Antivirus and Firewall to also be installed to the Local Disk?
If there is no need, and I can just pull the Ethernet plug from the back when I'm not Online, then that brings me to the next question...
My other machine is configured as a Digital Audio Workstation (AMD X2 2.8 GHz on a Gigabyte Motherboard with 2 x 2 GB of RAM, read as 3.25 GB under XP Home).
The motherboad's sound is disabled to make use of an M-Audio Delta 66 PCI Soundcard, the Network Drivers aren't installed and the Ethernet Port and all others but USB are disabled.
Resources are dedicated solely to the task of Audio so you really don't want to put it Online (or have it "listening" to ports that aren't in use), but this thing is far better than what I use to surf with, so.....
2 - You probably can't make the Motherboard's Network Drivers Portable, but is there a Macro or something that would make it easy to Open/Close the Ethernet Port, or is it just as simple to go Control Panel/Network Connections and Right-Click to Enable/Disable the 1394 Net Adapter when I want to get online?
Finally, a question that will apply to both machines...
3 - How secure will the Local Disk Drives of each machine be when going Online with PortableApps?
Will they need any kind of Encryption/other Protection, do the Jump Drives have to be configured so that they're the only ones visible to the Outside, or does it all just take care of itself since it's all self-contained on the Jump Drive anyway?
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After that, is there a need for a supplemental Antivirus and Firewall to also be installed to the Local Disk?
Absolutely. And since there are free versions of each why wouldn't you??
is there a Macro or something that would make it easy to Open/Close the Ethernet Port,
An AutoIt script could be developed that does it. But based on the specs of the machine I'd recommend leaving it online. With a copy of the free AV & FW used in the other machine.
How secure will the Local Disk Drives of each machine be when going Online with PortableApps?
PortableApps run on the host just like any other app. Where an app is loaded from doesn't change where it executes.
As for your W2K machine, after you do your fresh install and apply all the Windows updates, you should install and AV and firewall and an a browser like FireFox then do an image backup of the hd. Thus if you need to do another refresh of the hd you simply do a restore of the image. Drive Image XML is a free app for doing that.
hth
BTW An option to increase security and reduce RAM requirements, install a router. It's FW can provide protection for the W2K machine and thus save some RAM on the machine.
Ed
Thank You Ed_P!
Now for some quick comments on your comments, and I think I'll be ready to go ahead with this....
"And since there are free versions of each why wouldn't you?"
The only reason why would be to save RAM and help speed things up on the Compaq.
BTW, I've been meaning to get a router: time for me to start researching them.
"PortableApps run on the host just like any other app. Where an app is loaded from doesn't change where it executes."
And if I go the way of installing my OS to the flash drive and booting from that, where do I go from there as far as keeping the Machine's native drives from being accessed from the outside?
That's the concern when using my Music Workstation online.
I don't want to get a virus that will interfere with its operation.
I also don't want to have my Music stolen, and there are reports of that happening:
People have had their project folders snooped into and ended up in situations where some "producer" released other people's tracks under their names, and there wasn't anything that could have been done about it since they were not yet submitted for Copyright.
where do I go from there as far as keeping the Machine's native drives from being accessed from the outside?
Mount your drives in IDE removable drive bays. After you shutdown, turn the key in the drive bays, boot your USB drive. Sophisticated? No. Easy? Yes. Other solutions? Of course. You could put your music in TruCrypt containers and don't enter the password when you boot the USB drive.
The only reason why would be to save RAM and help speed things up on the Compaq.
The time you save not securing the drive is offset by the time you spend rebuilding it.
Ed