Osboxes.org: A Convenient but Risky Way to Explore Linux Distributions

 Osboxes.org: A Convenient but Risky Way to Explore Linux Distributions

Introduction
Osboxes.org is a website that offers ready-to-use virtual machines for VirtualBox and VMware, based on various Linux and Unix operating systems. It is a convenient way to try out different distros without having to install them on your physical machine. 

User Concerns

However, some users have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of downloading pre-installed virtual machines from osboxes.org. Some of the issues reported online include:

- The virtual machines are not updated regularly and may contain outdated or vulnerable software.

- The virtual machines may have hidden malware or backdoors that could compromise your host system or your data.

- The virtual machines may not work properly with your hardware or software configuration and may cause performance or compatibility issues.

Safety tips

Therefore, if you decide to use osboxes.org, you should exercise caution and follow some best practices, such as:

- Verify the checksums of the downloaded files to ensure their integrity.

- Scan the virtual machines with a reputable antivirus or anti-malware software before running them.

- Use a sandbox or an isolated environment to run the virtual configuration and avoid accessing sensitive or personal information from them.

- Keep your host system and your virtualization software updated and secure.

- Backup your data regularly and have a recovery plan in case of a disaster.

Test Run

We took a calculated risk and conducted a test run on VirtualBox. We randomly selected a Linux distribution, Feren OS. From the relevant web page, we read a concise summary of the distro. Then we downloaded the latest VDI image, Feren OS 2021.07. We had to decompress the downloaded image using the integrated Windows decompression tool. OSBoxes recommend that one uses 7-zip because it is free and universal as stated in their FAQs.

The decompressed image was then attached to our VirtualBox using the osboxes.org guide with relevant settings configured. We took note of the credentials (username & password) for the VDI image so that we could log into the virtual machine once booted. Check out our gallery below for screenshots of what we saw once it booted.

Conclusion

OSboxes is a project that has been ‘live’ since 2011. It offers pre-configured Unix/Linux virtual machines for download and use on any host OS. This is useful for users who want to test Linux without dual booting or facing hardware issues, as well as users who work with multiple Linux distributions simultaneously. There are certain user concerns and suggested safety tips to be wisely considered. If you decide to proceed, we wish you happy and safe distro-hopping! 😊

Disclaimer

The Distrowrite Project is not affiliated or associated with OSBoxes. We are not responsible or liable for any damages or losses that may result from using the virtual images from OSBoxes.

Gallery