If I use Linux in a virtual machine on a USB, can it still be traced back to my computer?

Question

If I use Linux in a virtual machine on a USB, can it still be traced back to my computer?

Answer 1

It isn't the O/S you use, it is your service provider that will track you down every time. In order for you to make a network connection to do ANYTHING, you need to go through a service provider. If you make that connection, you can be tracked and CANNOT do anything to prevent that.



The ONLY way to not be traced and still actually use a computer is to only do innocuous things that are beneath anyone's notice. You'll NEVER be able to reach a state where people don't KNOW that you are doing something but if you stay within the boundaries of law and ethics, they won't CARE.

Answer 2

Hi. You're a little confused ... If You run linux from a USB there's no actual need to run it in a virtual machine. And if You run it in a virtual machine there's no need to run it from a USB drive.



However, the use of linux is not the reason things You do online are trackable, as the answerer said above in the post I thumbs-up'ed, The item that tracks all activity between a system & another system (on the internet or in the same room), is the network adapter, which can be WiFi, Ethernet, or several others...And all network devices have a MAC address ... it's necessary to identify a computer so others can communicate with he right system when sending / receiving anything.





G'Luck!!!

Answer 3

can what be traced? by whom?

Answer 4

yes



all the virual machine does is provide an interface between the operating system the virtual machine in running under (e g windows) and the operating system you are running on the virtual machine (eg linux)



e,g - you connect to the internet using linux (on the VM)



All the VM does is use the OS its running on (windows) to do the actual connecting to the internet



THAT uses the same network card as if you were connecting directly using windows and therefore the same MAC address (its a unique number hardwired in every network card, is transmitted in every packet the computer sends - and CANNOT be altered by any software (all the software does is change the MAC you see on the screen - it CANNOT change the MAC in the packets the computer sends over the internet

Answer 5

No matter what you use, or what you do, ANYTHING you do on your computer if connected to the net is traceable.

Answer 6

If your using it for no good please consider what you are doing. Also remember that IPs are given to ALL computers on any network. These can be traced through various logs that the system creates. Also if you create a VM it still uses your main IP address so unless you use a masking device then yes it can be traced.

Answer 7

Not if you use the Linux version called Tails, which is based on Tor.

Answer 8

If you're talking about activity on the internet, yes.

Answer 9

What kind of shady things are you trying to do?