My computer is a Win XP with SP3 and multiple security programs, and is used to access our banking and other financial sites. I've been using a Live CD to, hopefully, more safely log into these sites. It would be easier to just stay logged in via Ubuntu but bookmarks, etc. are on the Windows side, so I've been rebooting.

I'm aware that I could dual boot but, frankly, I'm afraid of messing up the whole thing.

Now I've become aware of a persistent LiveCD (or, in my case, a persistent LiveUSB) which allows one to save to the LiveCD. Are there some big downsides to this, especially in regard to security? I would add an antivirus to the persistent program.

Otherwise, I don't plan to save a lot - probably just website addresses. I'd also access my bank and email.

Here's a website with instructions that seem clear to me (but I haven't actually tried it yet):

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/14912/create-a-persistent-bootable-ubuntu-usb-flash-drive/

Thanks for reading. I've lurked at this forum for years and value your input.