DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Does Linux needs Antivirus?

24 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/does-linux-needs-antivirus.15272/

R
rajas700 Original post #1
Sep 10, 2005 at 3:30 PM
Dose linux need an antivirus??.If so suggest me a antivirus.
GNUrag
GNUrag #2
Sep 10, 2005 at 3:53 PM
Cheer up rajas!
Linux needs no Antivirus.
R
Sep 10, 2005 at 5:34 PM
Than no virus will atack linux???.If how to protect against it?
vignesh
vignesh #4
Sep 10, 2005 at 6:23 PM
ClamWin is one.But no need to have one at all.Maximum a virus can do is just washout your home directory files.
R
Sep 10, 2005 at 6:48 PM
It seemed that panda in providing free antivirus for linux.
vignesh
vignesh #6
Sep 10, 2005 at 6:53 PM
Try ClamWin its cool.
Satissh S
Sep 11, 2005 at 6:12 PM
I saw somewhere that unless v browse in linux under root v won't b affected. Simple na..
U
ujjwal #8
Sep 11, 2005 at 7:34 PM
For all normal purposes, an antivirus software cannot be of much benefit. If you are really paranoid, you can get hold of an on demand console scanner like F-Prot or BitDefender and run it occasionally. But really, very few viruses exist for linux, and they require some unpatched holes in the system.

I recommend reading markjenson of neowin's post here.
tuxfan
tuxfan #9
Sep 11, 2005 at 8:28 PM
We should not stay away from an AV simply because very few viruses exist. Today there are few, tomorrow there can be more!! Who knows? Some department of M$ may be busy preparing viruses for Linux by finding loopholes in the code!!

But its the security architechture in a GNU/Linux OS that makes it strong. If we don't surf as root, we are safe.

Anyway, have a look at Need opinion on Linux Security in general (long, 5 pages).
vignesh
vignesh #10
Sep 11, 2005 at 11:49 PM
thanks for the link
tuxfan
tuxfan #11
Sep 14, 2005 at 11:59 AM
My pleasure ;)
S
srijit #12
Sep 14, 2005 at 12:39 PM
tuxfan said:
Some department of M$ may be busy preparing viruses for Linux by finding loopholes in the code!!
if they were smart enought to do that wont they be implementing the changes to windows? i guess not :twisted:
C
cryptid #13
Sep 16, 2005 at 12:54 AM
I was told on the ubuntu official IRC channel that i dont need a antivirus unless i am running a mail server and if i would stick to the softwares provided in my package Manager i.e Synaptec(which is awesom with 16000+softwares) i will not have to worry about viruses getting installed by mistake. Ne ways check out this link this guy who goes by the hadle of cynoex writes viruses for linux so dont have the misconception that viruses do not exist for linux *cyneox.xhost.ro/
K
khattam_ #14
Sep 21, 2005 at 9:41 PM
If you need one, Bitdefender is not a bad choice at all...
Vishal Gupta
Sep 21, 2005 at 10:08 PM
MODS!
Pls change the topic title to "Does Linux needs Antivirus?"
The current title is very confusing...
R
ra_rav #16
Sep 24, 2005 at 2:35 PM
yes due to open structure and some of the flaws in the current applications of linux a virus can be easily made in linux you can install av for linux from knoppix 3.6 cd.
some viruses do exist which kill the tux.
it_waaznt_me
Sep 24, 2005 at 6:00 PM
No but it needs firewall for sure ..:p
__Virus__
__Virus__ #18
Sep 24, 2005 at 6:10 PM
ra_rav said:
yes due to open structure and some of the flaws in the current applications of linux a virus can be easily made in linux you can install av for linux from knoppix 3.6 cd.
some viruses do exist which kill the tux.

who cares when one file,service,daemon in linux is affected by virus, no worm concept :D all u do it KILL -F :twisted: the service and delete the s...t and thr ya go crystal clear just like a virgin :D
Kniwor
Kniwor #19
Sep 25, 2005 at 5:40 AM
tuxfan said:
Some department of M$ may be busy preparing viruses for Linux by finding loopholes in the code!!
Need opinion on Linux Security in general (long, 5 pages).

lol...

well i think it's only a matter of time before u will have to use AV on linux, this time will be alittle longer because there are too many linux distros, and it's free, it' being open source can help hackers though.
Ashis
Ashis #20
Sep 25, 2005 at 12:09 PM
Yea.....OfCourse it needs!

If u have important data & U company's business depends on it then u should have an Anti-Virus package installed!

Yes, Virus attack in Linux is not quite common like windows..but who can protect U against a BAD LUCK ?

Prevention is always better than Cure!
T
Sep 27, 2005 at 11:54 PM
Guys,

If someone has good links for virus download in linux, please post them... I am looking for some nice virus to infect my own RHEL4 and see, how smart is that one....
M
Sep 28, 2005 at 7:52 PM
there u go download this.....

Linux.Millen.Worm

Linux.Hijacker.Worm

Linux.Simile(this one is very nice virus...i fell in love with it the first time, i got an infection, it uses entry-point obscuring, metamorphism, and polymorphic decryption.)

Linux.RST.B
T
Sep 29, 2005 at 12:21 AM
gr8!!!

thx 4 info.
champ_rock
Oct 13, 2005 at 9:20 PM
hey mods these things should vbe banned here... guys the next thing i know they will be sending viruses down my network to infect my nice systemm......
talking about viruses and thiere love....