Antivirus Necessary For Linux ?

[Mr2cents]

I'm running "Windows ME" and " Xubuntu linux". On a dual boot configeration. My question. Is an antivirus necesary for linux? I've googled this question..and it seems that about 70% say no, and about 30% say yes. (those aren't scientific numbers btw, just my estimation)

I thought I would get everyones opinion here. If you think an antivirus is necessary for linux. Which one would you recommend ? I know kav makes an antivirus for linux. However free would be better. Who are some other manufacturers of antiviruses for linux? BTW, I do run kav on windows me.

Antivirus necessary for linux ? Yes or no.

[Meriadoc]

A resident av for Linux? No not for me, thats not to say I do not investigate with various tools.
I like to run an appliance, firewall with intrusion detection.

[TOMxEU]

It depends only on a user. I do not know OS, which would need a realtime AV.
If you use a browser without scripts, do not open attachments, no AV needed.

[aigle]

A bit OT but I want to ask, I installed Avast in Ubuntu and it was not running in real time. Is this the usuall AV setup( on-demand only) in linux or I missed something?

[midway40]

An antivirus for linux is not necessary unless you share files with WinMe. I had ClamAV back when I ran PCLOS and all it found was trojans some websites had tried to install. They were sitting harmlessly in FireFox's cache, not knowing what to do with linux, lol.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
No need. If you're going to install something, you'll do it anyway. If you're trying to run something and it's malicious, it won't be able to do much without root privileges. Furthermore, the chances of finding malicious software for Linux is difficult. Unlike Windows.
Mrk

[pilotart]

AVIRA has a Linux version on Free Download site:

Linux / FreeBSD / Solaris
Date: 01-25-2007 - Version: 2.1.9-30 - Engine: 7.03.00.32
md5sum: 7ff5513e0321f581a620e0c6d7ec1a11 Download 13MB

[phasechange]

only if you share files with windows machines or dual boot and access the same files.

In short, no. Even when sharing files the risk is very low.

[lucas1985]

Originally Posted by pilotart

AVIRA has a Linux version on Free Download site:

I think that Antivir for Unix is only an on-demand scanner. F-Prot and AVG offer full versions.

[aigle]

Originally Posted by lucas1985

I think that Antivir for Unix is only an on-demand scanner. F-Prot and AVG offer full versions.

Originally Posted by aigle

A bit OT but I want to ask, I installed Avast in Ubuntu and it was not running in real time. Is this the usuall AV setup( on-demand only) in linux or I missed something?

What about Avast.

F-Prot is free as well?

[lodore]

i can see why you want to use linux since you have got windows ME poor you
my old pc had windows Me and i hate it.
btw kav doesnt have self protection with windows ME due to the OS.
lodore

[FastGame]

This subject comes up every so often, why doesn't one of the AV guys ever shed some light ?

My thoughts..use an AV and help clean up the net

I use F-Prot on PCLinuxOS wheather I need it or not.

[lucas1985]

Originally Posted by aigle

What about Avast.

I think it´s the same as Antivir.

Originally Posted by aigle

F-Prot is free as well?

Yes, it´s free. Check

[C.S.J]

there are linux viruses out there, just not as many.. id still use one to be safe now, than sorry later.

i think dr.web does many linux versions here

[lodore]

good link
lodore

[aigle]

Originally Posted by lucas1985

I think it´s the same as Antivir.

Yes, it´s free. Check

Thanks.

[Mr2cents]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I still haven't decided whether to run an antivirus with linux or not. If I do it will be an on demand scanner only. No resident. It seems the majority of linux users that do run a antivirus run Clamwin.

I currently run antivir as an on demand scanner with windows me. Run Kav as resident. I wasn't aware that avira had a linux version. Antivir will probably be the one I run if I decide to use one. I don't do any file sharing. So I should be safe.

I really like Xubuntu linux. I know I won't be running windows much anymore. Windows does have a few games I like to play. So, I will keep it around for that. Windows ME and kav need a rest. LOl. See screenshot. This virus almost destroyed my OS. Every program crashed except, Kav, Firefox, Kerio 2.1.5 and Boclean.

IE Crashed, SSM or system safety monitor crashed, Winrescue crashed, That was the last straw for me. Luckily firefox was able to access the internet, and I was able to download a new winnet dll. And replace the deleted one, that kav deleted. Once I installed the new dll. All my programs started working again. I did google to find out more about this virus before I let Kav delete it.

Everyone said the dll file had to be deleted and a new one installed. There were quite a few people that got this virus. I still don't understand how I got it. I had 3 tabs opened in firefox...Drudgereport, wilders, and a football forum. I wasn't surfing the dark side of the web. All at once kav came up telling me I was infected.

[FRug]

Who says antivir for linux only has an on-demand scanner?

They actually developed one of the first ever unix/linux/bsd kernel modules for on-acccess scanning and made it opensource in 2002. AVG, Avast, FPROT and ESET (and many more) all use the on-access technology initally developed by the guys at AVIRA.

see www.dazuko.org

[aigle]

So all these`are resident AVs?

[lucas1985]

Originally Posted by FRug

Who says antivir for linux only has an on-demand scanner?

They actually developed one of the first ever unix/linux/bsd kernel modules for on-acccess scanning and made it opensource in 2002. AVG, Avast, FPROT and ESET (and many more) all use the on-access technology initally developed by the guys at AVIRA.

see www.dazuko.org

I´m confused now. Perhaps you are talking about the paid version? The developer of HAVP told me that Antivir free has no usable daemon.

[tlu]

You don't need an antivirus. However, you should stick with the official repositories (that contain more than enough software for most fields of applications). If you need third-party software as an exception, make sure that it's from a trustworthy source - otherwise it's not impossible even for Linux to run into the risk that you catch e.g. a rootkit considering that most applications need root privileges for installation. But all told, the actual risks are very, very small.

Nevertheless, I scan my emails for Windows malware. They impose no risk for Linux but I want to get rid of them.

[aigle]

So can anybody sum up free on-access scanners for home user. I think

AVG
F-Prot
??
??...

thanks

[lodore]

the way i see it is if you can be safe on windows with just and av and firewall then you dont really need an antivirus on linux lol.
lodore

[Long View]

same as post #3. People allows viruses onto machines not Operating systems.

[lucas1985]

Originally Posted by aigle

So can anybody sum up free on-access scanners for home user. I think

AVG
F-Prot
??
??...

thanks

ArcaVir

The free-of-charge license shall entail the right to install and use arcavir or arcavir and arcavird programs (under the following operating systems Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris) on any number of computers after the below conditions have been fulfilled:

1-a report containing the names of viruses detected with he help of the program is sent regularly at least once a month to the address: report_linux[at]arcabit.com. The report shall be in form of a text file, containing at least the name of a virus (worm, Trojan). Reports may be sent more often (once a week, daily) and may be compressed (gzip or bzip2).

2-an advertisement of ArcaVir program is presented on Web sites or in electronic messages (one out of the two) along with the information on the use of arcavir program and link to the Manufacturer’s Web site. Should those conditions be impossible to fulfill, please contact our sales department: office[at]arcabit.com and linux[at]arcabit.com.

License
BitDefender has a free on-demand (command line) scanner.