Before I ask my first question, let me describe what I am looking for. I have been playing around with the PenDrive install of Linux on a flash drive. It seems to work very well. After the PenDrive is created, I can boot up my computer to Linux. I can then install additional features to the base distribution. I like to add Chromium Web Browser with Flash Player. I also like to add VLC Player. I run the available updates. After I am done tweaking my setup, I would like to capture what I have and then run it off a CD. Running off the CD seems to me to be the ultimate in secure computing. I could boot up my computer. Enjoy browsing. Play a movie. Do my online banking. And then when I shutdown, there is no trace of my activities. No way for someone to hack my computer and steal my identity. Is what I am looking for possible? I know that I can burn the distribution ISO to a CD and boot up without installing anything. This method seems to be about 50% of what I am looking for.
Wish List
1. Linux boots from CD with out stopping to ask if I want to install.
2. Chromium with Flash is already installed
3. VLC Player is already installed
4. The setup is already for my system (thus no long boot times while it detects all my hardware)
Anyone out there ever hear of such a thing? I have been reading about some Linux setups for Kiosk PC's. All the How To's on those get real deep into striping the system down to just the browser.
As always, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
paranoob (paranoid noob)

I would recommned Slax as being just about exactly what you're looking for.

I wonder if you actually know what you're trying to defend yourself against? Because running stale software from a Live CD does not protect you from browser or plugin vulnerabilities, web site or DNS tricks, social engineering, identity theft and such. What's more is that leaving no trace of activities also means you'll never have something tangible should the need for evidence arise...

I don't see how this would really be much more secure than just encrypting your hard drive and installing linux. Right? As unSpawn said, just because you're in a live USB distro doesn't make you invulnerable to those vulnerabilities. If you're worried about somebody seeing what you do when you log off I think an encrypted HD would be a good place to start.

even on windows that is VERY RARE

crackers would go after a small business first - better target .


there are none that would have all 4
---------
1. Linux boots from CD with out stopping to ask if I want to install.
2. Chromium with Flash is already installed
3. VLC Player is already installed
4. The setup is already for my system (thus no long boot times while it detects all my hardware)
--------

but you could build a Slackware install
or an Arch install

The base OS may be a bit secure if you do some settings. When you add in apps it makes it less and less secure. There is no super secure live cd that I know of that has what you want.

You could maybe get by with LPS. I have modified it to quit asking me EULA but it is pretty good except it has java and that leaves it much less secure. If you want you can get the thinstation build and make a similar deal as the LPS.

If you want you can build your live cd at susestudio. There are more than a few live creators out there but hard to find on searches.