I'm having to get a copy of Windows XP from the nether regions of the net and want to run it through a virtualbox. Would that be safer as to a WINE installation? Safer as in "not possible to get any infections?"
Any help is appreciated.
(The only reason I'm getting a copy off the net is because I can't find my old copy of the XP disc - that's why I'm going this route)
Just to clarify, WINE is not actually used to install Windows. You don't need a windows installation to use WINE and windows programs under WINE. It can be considered to be an independent compatibility layer for windows programs.
If for any reason WINE won't do what you need it to, and you need to install windows, then Virtualbox is absolutely the best option for you. Windows will be completely separated from Ubuntu, so even if you pick up a virus or other threat while running Windows, it won't have any impact on your Ubuntu install.
Also as an aside, technically speaking it's very very difficult for windows malware to work under WINE but under certain circumstances it might be possible.
I think that Windows malware will not work under Wine , it must be specially designed for Wine because Linux dont have same comands as Windows but still if there will be some Wine malware it will not mess with your system only with your files in user home folder.