Securing a safe internet connection using a virtual machine - advice wanted

[joelinkc]

I'd like some feedback / advice on the following configuration;

Goal: to secure a safe / private connection to the internet on my work PC.

I've got a desktop running XP - if I were to install VMWare and run a virtual instance of XP, and if I were to go into the virtual machine and disable the NIC - then buy a Sprint or Verizon wireless internet card (USB version) and install the appropriate software on the virtual machine - do you think that would give me what I'm after?

Follow-up questions;

Would I be putting my host machine or our corporate network at risk if I did this?

Also, would my employer be able to detect the virtual machine - short of logging onto my local machine?

Background: Our corporate nazi taskmasters have locked down access to the internet - which I can understand, but they've even blocked access to any web based mail, news etc. They monitor and record everything. Finding a stray unsecure WAP would have been the easy route, but there are no stray signals.

[joelinkc]

bumping up - would like to have at least one response - pretty please?

[MtMan]

joelinkc,

Your idea of a private internet connection using VMware will work. The VMware Server product would likely meet your needs. You will need a separate Windows XP license for your VM.

VMware does leave evidence on your host OS including: the install, registry settings, log files, VM files and services. Some corporate policies don't allow software to be installed unless approved, but this doesn't sound like a problem for you.

[Peter_vm]

You can bring your own laptop and use whatever wireless is available.

Transfer data via USB key, unless that is also forbidden by company policy.

So you like the company you work for, but not some of its policies?