Linux AntiVirus

[joe2012]

Who is worries about viruses and uses an Anti-virus for Linux?

[avacomputers]

Not me...

[note32]

lol

[wojox]

Anti-what ?

[Artificial Intelligence]

Anti-what ?

It's a fashion phenomenon. :popcorn:

[Screwdriver0815]

Rootkitscanner, its not a bad idea to do that. Especially when one installs software "the windows way"

http://www.chkrootkit.org/

http://rkhunter.sourceforge.net/

they are both in the repo's.

[aysiu]

I prefer real security to the illusion of security.

So, no "anti-virus" (sheepskin condom) on my Linux computer.

[scratman]

To my understanding, a standalone Linus PC, or a fully Linux network should have very little reason to worry about viruses.

HOWEVER, if that machine is connected to a Windows machine, then AV software is highly recommended. The Linux OS is pretty much immune to viruses, but it can still host viruses and infect a Windows machine that connects to it, in the same way that an apparently healthy person can infect people due to their own immunity to the pathogen they are carrying.

[bear54]

The anti-virus program is good for scanning e-mail so that you don't send a virus to people with Windows computers.
Be Free Use Ubuntu Linux!:)

[cariboo907]

If Windows users don't have anti-virus software installed, isn't that their problem?

[Artificial Intelligence]

If Windows users don't have anti-virus software installed, isn't that their problem?

In my opinion it is. You can't take the responsibilities that other don't protect themselves.
Though many E-mail services scans the E-mails for virus. So some might be sorted already.

[mdsmedia]

In my opinion it is. You can't take the responsibilities that other don't protect themselves.
Though many E-mail services scans the E-mails for virus. So some might be sorted already.
You CAN take the responsibility for on-sending viruses to those who may not be fully protected. I'm not saying you HAVE TO, but you can.

While it's not necessarily your fault that they get infected, if you use, say, ClamAV, which happens to detect x-virus, which is not detected by random-freeware-install-and-hope y-anti-virus software on the recipient's computer, while they think they are protected, you are just another level of protection for those to whom YOU are spreading the virus.

[rajcan]

Anti-what ?

Rofl!!!!
Indeed, yes there's viruses out there for linux, but the odds of you downloading one are remotely slim. I once saw something that said in the last half of 2005 windows had 11,000 new viruses and malware, and isn't linux up to 1,000 something?

[starcannon]

If Windows users don't have anti-virus software installed, isn't that their problem?

If a mail-server admin counts on his/her users being up to speed she/he is doing them a dis-service. The reality is, most people run windows as admin, most people have out of date free a.v., and most people rely on others to keep a computer running. I think an analogy would be, "If Water users don't have a 1 micron filter installed on their faucets, then Giardia is their problem".

I scan my mail as a courtesy to my friends and family who are not fortunate enough to be running a superior operating system, I think its my responsibility to not forward suffering with my mail. The virus dead ends here.

[bear54]

I just think it is the right thing to do. Why spread viruses when you can stop it dead in it's tracks. A lot of Windows users don't know how to repair their computer when it becomes infected with a virus and have to pay someone to fix it or find a friend to fix it for them. :cool:

[aysiu]

I just think it is the right thing to do. Why spread viruses when you can stop it dead in it's tracks. A lot of Windows users don't know how to repair their computer when it becomes infected with a virus and have to pay someone to fix it or find a friend to fix it for them. :cool: If those users are using limited user accounts, Firefox with NoScript, automatic Windows Updates, and common sense, I highly doubt they will ever be infected.

If, however, they are using administrator accounts, Internet Explorer, "antivirus" (i.e., a joke and not real protection), and no common sense, then they will be very likely be infected... and probably not by a Linux user.

[RabbitWho]

You CAN take the responsibility for on-sending viruses to those who may not be fully protected. I'm not saying you HAVE TO, but you can.


I would go as far as to say that you should.

"Do no harm" it's not that complicated an idea.

[Artificial Intelligence]

I would go as far as to say that you should.

"Do no harm" it's not that complicated an idea.

Contra responsibility of your own?

Teach them instead, it works better in the long term.

[donkyhotay]

Anti-virus on linux? I only ever have one response to that...


Master Foo and the Nervous Novice
There was a novice who learned much at the Master's feet, but felt something to be missing. After meditating on his doubts for some time, he found the courage to approach Master Foo about his problem.

“Master Foo,” he asked “why do Unix users not employ antivirus programs? And defragmentors? And malware cleaners?”

Master Foo smiled, and said “When your house is well constructed, there is no need to add pillars to keep the roof in place.”

The novice replied “Would it not be better to use these things anyway, just to be certain?”

Master Foo reached for a nearby ball of string, and began wrapping it around the novice's feet.

“What are you doing?” the novice asked in surprise.

Master Foo replied simply: “Tying your shoes.”

Upon hearing this, the novice was enlightened.

[bodhi.zazen]

You CAN take the responsibility for on-sending viruses to those who may not be fully protected. I'm not saying you HAVE TO, but you can.

I disagree with that. Right now there are no known Linux viruses in the wild, so where would I get such a virus from ? An infected Windows computer.

Now since this virus does not propagate on Linux, how is it that I would pass it on ?

Since the virus in your example came from an infected windows computer, how is then we are protecting anyone ? How is it that we can protect an infected windows computer ?

The only potential way you could help your Windows brethren would be if you received an infected file, detected the infection, and then deleted the file rather then passing it on. The problem is, there are so many windows viruses and so many infected windows computers I doubt you see enough traffic to offer any real protection.

So, no, just as you can not "protect" windows computers by running them in virtual machines on an Ubuntu host, you really can not protect your windows brethren like this.

So while your sentiments and motives are admirable, lets not fool ourselves into believing we can offer protection in this way.

You must educate them, teach them how to harden windows.

Do you know the average time to infection of a windows computer connected to the internet ?

The average survival time of an unprotected windows computer is 40 minutes :

http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/6132/

some say 5 minutes :

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9109938/Unpatched_Windows_PCs_fall_to_hackers_in_under_5_m inutes_says_ISC?taxonomyId=82&intsrc=kc_top&taxonomyName=cybercrime_and_hacking

That is what happens to windows users who do not harden their systems (ie the "average" windows user) and I am sorry to say your scanning for viruses will not help.

I also feel it is Mircosoft's responsibility, and not mine, to protect windows users from viruses.

[gmsbeak22]

Once their Windows box crashes over and over again, they will probably start comming around to a real os.


_______________
Windows free since July 2009