How come that Ubuntu is free from Viruses?

[mac143_01]

How can you say that Ubuntu is 100% free from viruses?

Do anyone never tried to hack Ubuntu?

Are Ubuntu programmers from outer space and with superior minds coz they created an OS thats free from Virus?

[sayakb]

This should clarify: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/security
Also, security holes are fixed regularly, so making it less probable to be infected by a virus.

[aysiu]

You might want to read some of these other threads in the Recurring Discussions area:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=815111&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=802535&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=800290&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=798685&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=790980&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=787214&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=780156&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=771672&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=700343&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=719368&highlight=virus

[sayakb]

Lol aysiu.. great reply :lolflag:

[peterbrewer]

Its largely because of the way the Operating System is implemented. For example to run an executable file that you receive in an e-mail you have to first save it to the computer, then change the properties so that it is executable and then run it. For this reason it is difficult (if not impossible) to make a self propogating virus (ie one which can install itself on someone elses computer without their permission).

Also if someone were to develop such a method for installing software without the users permission it would not have access to the root filesystem (where all the system files are) so could not damage the system in the same way as a virus can on Windows.

It is not just Ubuntu which has these features, all Linux based systems (that I know about) have these features and as far as I am aware so does Mac OS X. Also bear in mind that many servers within large organisations like banks run Unix based operating systems, therefore it is more than likely that people have tried to hack into these systems before Windows even existed, the Unix design philosophy (which Linux is based on) has been in place since the late 60's.

Hope this helps answer your question.

[hovzio]

hi, from what I understand there just aren't any viruses (very few) written for linux. The whole installation procedure differs from that of windows. (User accounts, permissions and sudo also play a role)
In ms xp for example an ordinary user has root privledges.

Intrusion detection is another matter. From what I've read Systems can be breached if weak passwords are used and and a variety of other issues depending on the current setup. ( server, ssh usage, telnet :/ and so forth)

[abn91c]

this will answer all you questions http://news.softpedia.com/news/Mac-OS-X-Hacked-Vista-SP1-Hacked-Ubuntu-Linux-Survives-Unscathed-82079.shtml

[jviscosi]

You might want to read some of these other threads in the Recurring Discussions area:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=815111&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=802535&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=800290&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=798685&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=790980&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=787214&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=780156&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=771672&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=700343&highlight=virus
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=719368&highlight=virus

Hey aysiu, the weight of all these citations is causing my browser to sink to the bottom of my screen ... ;-)

[SunnyRabbiera]

hi, from what I understand there just aren't any viruses (very few) written for linux. The whole installation procedure differs from that of windows. (User accounts, permissions and sudo also play a role)

Intrusion detection is another matter. From what I've read Systems can be breached if weak passwords are use and and a variety of other issues depending on the current setup.

Indeed, Viruses in linux are rare for a reason.
Winndows justs asks for trouble, for one many out there loathe microsoft and its policies and most of the virus writers out there use linux as a platform to program in {as programming in linux is easier then in windows)

also the way windows is set up by default invites issues, by practically giving everyone root access windows is a security hole in itself.

[Gone fishing]

Probably the question could be put why is Windows so full of viruses. The answer is that Windows upto Vista has almost no security, it evolved from a non-multiuser OS and by default the user is considered an administrator and can run any code such as viruses and change system files etc.

Linux on the other hand is a true multiuser OS and users are not administrators by default (this is why it's a bad idea to log on as root as a casual user). As an ordinary user you can't run any old code or change files outside your home directory. Hence by default Linux is more secure.

The next problem for windows, is that it's on most PCs and therefore a big target for virus writers etc, also many/most Windows users a profoundly ignorant. Ubuntu, Linux BSD etc have smaller user bases and the users tend to be more knowledgeable about PCs, security, etc and so present a less promising target.

This is not to say that in the future Ubuntu wont be targeted or more likely its users target by social engineering type attacks.

[NetworkGuy]

As an ordinary user you can't run any old code or change files outside your home directory. Hence by default Linux is less secure.



You mean more secure, not less.