Best Anti-Virus for ubuntu 9.10

[Bone Crusher]

I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer. What program would you recommend? If there is a free program I can use, please let me know.

[SuperSonic4]

I'd pick avast but it's not at all necessary

[Nburnes]

I don't see why you really need one.

ClamAV works good?

[SuperSonic4]

I don't see why you really need one.

ClamAV works good?

I found that ClamAV gave a lot of false positives

[OrangeCrate]

I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer. What program would you recommend? If there is a free program I can use, please let me know.

If that's what you want to do, then +1 for avast! Linux Home Edition (which is free).

I'm sure it's a good product, and they have a friendly, helpful community...

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-for-linux-workstation.html

http://forum.avast.com/index.php

[NoaHall]

You really don't need one. You want to feel safer? Don't install one. They usually try and get you to delete VITAL files as they can't scan them, and then pass them off as "viruses".

[Dullstar]

To tell you the truth, sometimes I wonder if the anti-virus companies are at least in some way or another involved in creating computer viruses in the first place.

[nertil]

ubuntu dont need antivirus

[Ylon]

ubuntu dont need antivirus
Unfair lie.

Anyway, rarely Linux is adopt by regular user...Use linux require more active intelligence (while Windows kinda "passive one": since offer tight field of choices)

Use Windows the same way is basically required for Linux: make Windows treat-free as Linux is (plus disable the autorun feature btw ^^").
I've regulary used Windows XP updated and without any antivirus. Zero Viruses.

Back In Topic
They made (http://www.kaspersky.com/linux) pretty secure the most attacked (and pierced) os in the world.

So I do trust their work with Linux.

Anyway: Linux by itself don't offer a great field of comparison (I mean: a field with lot of attack to test).

[garage jack]

Use Windows the same way is basically required for Linux: make Windows treat-free as Linux is (plus disable the autorun feature btw ^^").
I've regulary used Windows XP updated and without any antivirus. Zero Viruses.
and what were you trying to say, that one should or should not use antivirus with ubuntu and why? are you trying to say that ubuntu is not safe? do you think that kasperski is the best choice for ubuntu and why? i am asking this because i didn't understand what you were trying to prove here and this has nothing to do with your english. please, explain better. thanks

[garage jack]

To tell you the truth, sometimes I wonder if the anti-virus companies are at least in some way or another involved in creating computer viruses in the first place.
so true. and this has nothing with vulnerability of an os, it 's just the fact that you don't know what an anti-virus software gives and what takes away from you. or should i say makers of that software

[Kevbert]

Unless you're using something like Wine or DosBox, antivirus software will only slow down your system and it's unlikely that you'll ever get a linux virus. Most 'linux' virus checkers only look for Windows viruses anyway. You could try BitDefender (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BitDefender). Windows viruses are unlikely to cause any problems when running Linux.

[Perfect Storm]

As other have said; You don't need one as a normal Desktop user.

There might be some situation where you can use one;

1. Running an E-mail server (scanning e-mails that are passing through).
2. Scanning Windows machines for virus/malware on a network.
3. some wine apps can be affected, but that's within ~/.wine that would not have any effect on your Ubuntu System.



regards
A.I. Dude

[Ylon]

and what were you trying to say, that one should or should not use antivirus with ubuntu and why? are you trying to say that ubuntu is not safe? do you think that kasperski is the best choice for ubuntu and why? i am asking this because i didn't understand what you were trying to prove here and this has nothing to do with your english. please, explain better. thanks
That prove that to have a fully protected system there's basically one true main updated requirement: Human Use.


Antivirus uses resource of your system, if you want to spare them (resource) you can avoid using antivirus this way:
1. update your system.
2. be careful when you expose your system to thread.



If you are fine with your PC taking care of this (using resource): just install an antivirus.


Anyway: you can always relay on luck.

This mean that you don't want to "manage with care your system" and, also, don't want to suck pc-resource with antivirus.. well, you can.


This put your Windows installation in great danger and your Ubuntu in, very more, light danger. But say that is completely "no treat" for Ubuntu is.. wrong.

[OrangeCrate]

As other have said; You don't need one as a normal Desktop user.

There might be some situation where you can use one;

1. Running an E-mail server (scanning e-mails that are passing through).
2. Scanning Windows machines for virus/malware on a network.
3. some wine apps can be affected, but that's within ~/.wine that would not have any effect on your Ubuntu System.



regards
A.I. Dude

I think the thread is drifting off topic. The OP acknowledges that he doesn't need an antivirus program, but wants to install one anyway. All he's looking for in his original post, are suggestions as to which program might be a good candidate, with an emphasis on "free".

@ all,

Please don't pontificate on the subject. If you have a suggestion, just give the poor guy the info he wants, and then move on...

Linux is all about choices isn't it?

[John Bean]

us/malware on a network.
3. some wine apps can be affected, but that's within ~/.wine that would not have any effect on your Ubuntu System.

At the risk of being pedantic: the last part of the above is only true if you don't expose any parts of the real filesystem to the Wine subsystem, which is often done for the convenience of file interchange.

[zagz]

I don't see why you really need one.


To use AV in Ubuntu = paranoia or some other form of illness. ;)

At this current time no virus is active in Linux.

[oldos2er]

I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer.

You might want to read http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

[Sorwen]

To use AV in Ubuntu = paranoia or some other form of illness. ;)

At this current time no virus is active in Linux.
And what about tomorrow? Arrogance is the largest security risk out there. In a real way, security holes aside, it is Microsoft's biggest problem. Sorry, not directing solely at you; just you were the last one to post such a comment. While right now there maybe no known "active" viruses for Linux that doesn't mean it is detrimental to want an anti-virus. Also if he is running multiple OSs, has multiple users on a home network, or is running any types of servers then it could be well advised to run something. If any type of file transfer is going on between such things that is pretty much opening a back door for such things. Yes it is more important to be running anti-virus software on those computers, but it doen't hurt to also run one on this one since a virus generally can't be found until it is on your computer. All this could be aside though if all he is running is ubuntu.

[el Tedward]

I found this post by doing a google for "best linux antivirus". I have to say, however, that a lot of the replies in this are pretty useless.

Anyways, from what I've seen, Bitdefender seems like the best option for linux. The documentation for it is very thorough and it at least appears like the developers put some effort into making a decent unix focused version of it. I only just installed it today though.

I think there is a place for antivirus for linux on the desktop. While you might not have too much to worry about getting viruses on your machine, you still put any windowz machines you share files with at risk. I do a lot of "filesharing," so antivirus for linux is something that interests me a lot.

[CharlesA]

I found that ClamAV gave a lot of false positives

That's the reason I stopped using ClamAV, it gave so many false positives, that it was pointless to report all of them.


Unless you're using something like Wine or DosBox, antivirus software will only slow down your system and it's unlikely that you'll ever get a linux virus. Most 'linux' virus checkers only look for Windows viruses anyway. You could try BitDefender (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BitDefender). Windows viruses are unlikely to cause any problems when running Linux.

I switched to BitDefender and haven't had any problems with it.

[zgqcliff]

let all those stuffs alone, I just want to know, if it is necessary to install an Anti-Virus software for ubuntu?

[hariprasad]

ubuntu dont need antivirus

This Message i read many many times. Linux does not need any antivirus. What about some malicious content for Windows on my computer obtained by e-mails and from web? I must carry on not only myselve, but on the others.

I don't want, that my computer is source of potentially dangerous content even if it is not dangerous for me.

Therefore i have antivirus and i scan my home periodically.

[73ckn797]

Avast is good but they only have a 32 bit version.

[Sef]

This Message i read many many times. Linux does not need any antivirus. What about some malicious content for Windows on my computer obtained by e-mails and from web? I must carry on not only myselve, but on the others.

I don't want, that my computer is source of potentially dangerous content even if it is not dangerous for me.

Therefore i have antivirus and i scan my home periodically.

If you use an email client, then use an anti-virus. If you use web email, e.g., gmail, yahoo, aim, etc., then you do not need an anti-virus.

[weavertech89]

I'm using ubuntu 9.10 on laptop and kubuntu 9.10 on desktop as well as windows XP. I know that Linux doesn't need and anti virus, but like to have one for network use for other none Linux use. I only want to install one anti virus on one computer and have it scan all network computers. what would be the best. I installed Virus scanner, but it seems to be useless in some ways.

[illingd]

I read in several places about Avast antivirus for linux but can't seem to find it. The Avira site only seems to have Windows antivirus. Can someone post a link? Thanks.

[jrusso2]

That's the reason I stopped using ClamAV, it gave so many false positives, that it was pointless to report all of them.



I switched to BitDefender and haven't had any problems with it.

I got three false positives with my last bitware scan of just my /home

[73ckn797]

The Avast Linux version can be found here: http://www.avast.com/linux-unix-edition#tab4

Download the "deb" file. Once you have it right click on the file and install with "Gdebi Package Installer".

[Enigmapond]

let all those stuffs alone, I just want to know, if it is necessary to install an Anti-Virus software for ubuntu?

No...next question?:p

[faridu]

I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer. What program would you recommend? If there is a free program I can use, please let me know.
ok u no need at all any anti just go to software centre and get any firewall and install .

[peterroots]

I use clamav (as Klam) as it scans incoming email in kmail for me - I think is very antisocial to receive a virus infected email and then forward it to someone else who may be vulnerable to it (well, it's their own fault for not checking is not a terribly helpful response).
A lot of files pass though my hands usb sticks - I find avast nice for checking these as it seems quicker than Klam and is quicker to set up a scan of a stick (or it seems so to me). Again I don't want to have viruses on my computer that may get passed on to others or pass on a dirty stick to someone - if it alerts the stick owner that they have a problem then so much the better.
To me it seems avast picks up more virus infected files than clamav but I don't have any hard evidence.

[kgarbutt]

Linux Format magazine reviewed 7 antivirus software packages and they picked BitDefender.

[SylvanasWindrunner]

Hi, Im new in ubuntu and I dont write very well in english but i need to know about some antivirus, yesterday my father took my lap and use it to see xxx pages, after that I tried to open firefox again and the page didnt show anything so I restart my lap and tried to open again but it open a lot of windows, Im using googlechrome but I want to go back to my firefox as soon as its posible
thanks :)

[beetleman64]

The only reason I use anti-virus on Linux is to stop passing viruses onto Windows owning buddies. My personal recommendation is Avast! which is probably the natural successor to AVG.

[MooPi]

Does anyone think we need a sticky that explains Ubuntu and Linux do not need anti-virus software? Seems to come up quite often and always the same responses. Just wondering.

[danielhughes77]

I read that it may be wise to have an AV program if you have more than ones OS. I am duel booting ubuntu and Windows 7 (I need some programs for school that I can't do with Ubuntu) and my question is in regards to how. When this statement is made does it simply refer the the fact that on my Win7 partition i do run AV or should I run AV on the Ubuntu side because I have Win7 on the other partition? thanks

[maddg3241]

I don't find that I need one but I did give Avast a go and it worked fine

[ttshivers]

I don't use any anti-virus for my system and have had no problems with viruses so far.

[ghssbm]

please send me antivirus for ubuntu 9.10


I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer. What program would you recommend? If there is a free program I can use, please let me know.

[ghssbm]

please send me antivirus for ubuntu 9.10
i want ubuntu antivirus for 9.10

[unit13]

I am using ubuntu 9.10 and really want to install and Anti-Virus Program. I know it's not really needed, but I really want one because it just makes me feel safer. What program would you recommend? If there is a free program I can use, please let me know.

Run a firewall like firestarter and call it a day. I have been running Linux for years without a anti-virus program.