does linux distros such as ubuntu need to run antivirus and antispyware software?

Question

does linux distros such as ubuntu need to run antivirus and antispyware software?

Answer 1

Open Solaris is the open source application of Solaris. it particularly is Unix and superior with Linux data. difficulty-free to crash doing updates and difficult to repair if issues ensue. No blazing glory application. common Jane working gadget. no longer that a lot distinctive than Linux as a results of fact Linux is an off shoot of Unix. i do no longer understand if it may set up twin boot as a results of fact I even have't tried to try this yet. attempt PClinuxOS 2009-a million the KDE version in case you like a residing house windows kind of atmosphere. it particularly is elementary to apply and Mandriva based. Can run as a LiveCD in case you decide directly to attempt it first. I end employing Ubuntu approximately six months in the past.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

As a rule no as Linux is incredibly secure, however if you are still worried you can install a simple Firewall http://www.linux.com/articles/55319 or there is ClamAV as mentioned above, but I have always thought it a little over the top.



LUG.

Answer 4

You don't really need one for your own safety, but it is nice to take the precaution anyways. I personally use one to scan email attachments that I download.



I downloaded ClamAV from Add/Remove; just type in "Clam" as a search.



Show "All available applications"

Answer 5

Relatively speaking, Linux is safer than Windows because 1. It was inspired by Unix about five years after the first worms had hit Unix and they'd revamped their architecture to keep things as difficult for black hats as possible and 2. there really aren't enough people using it as their desktops to make it profitable for black hats, who are mostly in it for money these days.



That said, all this can change so I'll recommend three programs. ClamAV



http://www.clamav.net/download/packages/packages-linux/



If it's in debian it's probably in ubuntu, so check your repositories. It's so good tech micro is suing the company sponsering it claiming patents over algorithms -- which Sun published in the early nineties so the patents may get invalidated.



rkhunter



http://rkhunter.sourceforge.net/



Again check your repository



and chkrootkit



http://freshmeat.net/projects/chkrootkit/



I use both.

Answer 6

No. You should run a virus scanner for your emails if you ever forward them, otherwise you may forward a virus to a Windows user.

Answer 7

That's a tricky question. Viruses and spyware only work on the operating systems they're designed to work on. Since the majority of computer users out there in the world are running Windows, virus and spyware writers are more interested in coding for that OS. Linux shares a much smaller portion of the PC user market, so it's a lower-profile target to begin with.



On top of that, Linux is based on the functionality of Unix, the oldest operating system still in use (40 years old or so). Unix has been around long enough to become rock-solid, and while it's not virus-proof or hack-proof, it may be the next best thing. But that also depends on how secure you've made your system. If you're running with unused services accepting remote communications or are surfing the Internet and visiting chat-rooms using your root account, you're wide-open to security threats.



The short of it is, Linux can do better without antivirus software than Windows can, provided your system is set up securely. But adding protection never hurts either.