Does ubuntu need a anti virus program?

[kinngg]

Does ubuntu need a anti virus program?

[tbroderick]

Nope

[julian67]

No. Only if you run a mail server. You can google these forums and others for all the arguments for and against but the answer is no, unless you need placebo.

[dimbulb1024]

From what I have read, you don't really need one for yourself, but you can pass along viruses to those who use Windows. So the only reason to use one right now is to filter emails and such that go to Windows users.

[antisocialist]

if u use yahoo for your email then you dont need one as yahoo scans incoming and outgoing emails with norton, but otherwise you should probably install something like clamwin ( applications>add/remove programs> search clamwin and install it) it updates itself etc.

[asmoore82]

if u use yahoo for your email then you dont need one as yahoo scans incoming and outgoing emails with norton, but otherwise you should probably install something like clamwin ( applications>add/remove programs> search clamwin and install it) it updates itself etc.

not even

Short Answer: No.
Long Answer: No, Sir!

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CriticismFAQ?highlight=%28criticism%29#head-1663544b421081799ed551bdfa891411191121f2

[xpod]

I think i had ClamAV on that very first install during that very first week only.But never since.
I quickly got over it and have never had any of those type problems in the 14 months i`ve used linux now.....

This helps clear up a lot of initial confusion i think.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

[julian67]

if u use yahoo for your email then you dont need one as yahoo scans incoming and outgoing emails with norton, but otherwise you should probably install something like clamwin ( applications>add/remove programs> search clamwin and install it) it updates itself etc.

No no no no no!!!!!!!!!! :lolflag: If you're not vulnerable you don't need a cure! It's a total waste of time. Think about it:

Your system is not vulnerable to Virus....so you don't need to run AV.

Other people's might be so they do run Anti Virus.....so again you don't need to!!!!

It isn't complicated. As a Linux (or Mac or Solaris or BSD) user you get zero benefit from running AV. And nobody else benefits either because the people who have protection are protected anyway and the people who don't have protection are already compromised in hundreds or even thousands of ways. You make no impact, not even a tiny fractional percentage point of difference. Zero. Nil. Nix. Nothing. But your machine runs a lot slower.

[DarkGob]

The webcomic XKCD (http://www.xkcd.com/272/) sums this thread up quite nicely.

[rsambuca]

If you conducted a simple search of these forums, you would have found numerous threads on this topic. Here are a few (the first one is a must-read!)

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=561564

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=559648

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=136064

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510010

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=543443

[misfitpierce]

No, only for mail servers or if you transfer data to windows machines alot such as whole folders etc(not to spread to them).

[yuku-aki]

To be perfectly honest, I think this thread seems to do the best job so far of getting the point across quickly, and not interjecting lots of "techno-babble" for the noobs.

Sometimes these kinds of threads get outdated, too... and when you're on a forum long enough, having those same old conversations bumped can get annoying.

My short attention span had my mind in circles before I could complete the first 3 pages of the first thread on security!

----------------------------

And now my 2 cents:

I have been using linux since 1999, when I was coerced into making the switch at the behest of an annoying roommate. I used Mandrake until the Connectiva merger in '05, then switched to Ubuntu. The point is this: I've NEVER had a virus.

Never had "adware" or weird successions of popups that kill a browser (some other things, like unstable plugins may, but that's a whole different issue) never had an executable file start copying my personal info and making it public, or deleting items at random, or whatever these viruses tend to do. I wouldn't know, really. I was a big Mac user before Linux, so I can't say I've ever had any of these problems on a persistent basis.

I was quite shocked that people feel the need to offer linux AV. Maybe it's got linux spyware or adware in it! :lol:

[WebSiteGuru]

:lolflag: LMAOL! :D

But seriously,

There is no virus in l inux. That is why many Windoze users had switched to linux. :guitar:

You are still having a Windoze users mind set. Let it go and enjoy Virus-FREE environment. ;)

Welcome to Linux World of Virus-FREE. ;)

[julian67]

........or if you transfer data to windows machines alot such as whole folders etc(not to spread to them).

nope, still a waste of time. If the receiving Win PC has protection then you don't need AV. And if they don't then they are already screwed and you still don't need AV.

I've seen Windows viruses get onto my non-Windows computers...via a USB drive and a Mac in fact. They are harmless but unwanted so I just delete them. It's pretty obvious when you see them...I mean how many .exe or desktop.ini or .vb files do you have in your Linux home or music or photos directory/partitions????

[bodhi.zazen]

If you are interested in security please see this thread :

Ubuntu Security (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812)

Running antivirus is up to you, and I think the more experience you have with Linux, the less inclined you are to run antivirus, although there are exceptions.

Otherwise, see any of the threads rsambuca gave you, or if you wish to discuss this go here :

Recurring Discussions (http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=302)