Linux and security threats

[ImNeat]

I always hear people talking about how linux isn't as prone to viruses, malware etc as Windows. Why is this? Do people just not code viruses and malware for linux? I scan my windows partition at least once every two weeks for viruses and malware, should I do the same for linux or no? Also how much should I fear hacking? I imagine virutally the entire linux community is computer gurus and experienced hackers. Am I extremely vulnerable? I just don't feel in control without my firewall and virus scanner sitting in the system tray, and the possibility of scanning for spyware every so often.

[AlexK]

Why don't people code viruses for Linux, you ask?
Since Windows has something like 90% of the market, it is obvious that people who want to do as much destruction as possible will attack the bigger and easier to hit target. As you know a lot of Windows users surf the net with full admin privilages, so when a virus hits, it has access to their whole system.

Now in Linux, if you surf as a normal user and a virus happens to come along, it can't do too much damage as you don't have permission to write to a lot of system files. So in essence, the virus is made redundant, unless it has some specific exploits which give it root access.

However the term you refer to as hacking is actually referred to as cracking. Now that is a threat in Linux and in Windows so as long as you have a good firewall which is setup to drop packets and you use strong passwords you should be ok.

Also, not everyone in the Linux community is a "Hacker" or guru as you term them, we are just normal people who decided to experiment a bit and see what else was there instead of Windows.

If you really want a virus scanner in Linux, take a look at clamav.

[fingal]

Also, not everyone in the Linux community is a "Hacker" or guru as you term them, we are just normal people who decided to experiment a bit and see what else was there instead of Windows.

I thought that was a good point AlexK. That describes me perfectly as well. I'm certainly not a hacker. Just a normal person who uses Linux. If I was, I wouldn't have time to post anything on here.

I do like a lot of hacker culture though.

[DThor]

I would agree with everything said. I'd only add my take:

Don't worry about viruses on Linux, for now. With a good firewall and careful behaviour, even on Windows an anti-virus program is of questionable value. On Linux, it's simply not necessary. The number of viruses in the wild come to about 4 or 5. As mentioned, there's simply no perceived market for it, so far.

Always run a firewall, no matter what the OS. On a router, on the computer in the OS, doesn't matter, but run a firewall.

Fear *nothing*. Don't live in fear. Seriously. I know ex sysadms that are like wired up junkies that are so paranoid about computing their hands shake. Just back up your important stuff, run a firewall, use some common sense, and have fun!

DT

[techieMoe]

Could someone who has more time on their hands than me (yes, I know there's someone out there) come up with a thread that has links to the various useful threads that have asked this question in the past so that I'll have something to link to when I inevitably lock redundant threads like this? (Nothing personal to the original poster; we get this question a lot.)

[fingal]

A selection:

Bored 1
Bored 2
Getting even more bored
Feeling sleepy
ZzzzZzzzz

Hope that helps. Now! Back to work.

[DThor]

Heh, sorry, I had no idea having not particularly scanned older posts here. Have you guys thought about having a FAQ page that would answer stuff like this and would be easy to point to(plus easy to utter the fav "read the faq!" )?

They wouldn't have to be essays(necessarily), just some quickie answers. examples:

Linux AV?
What's the best distro?
How do I install Linux?
Is Linux cheaper than Windows?

etc.

DT

[carlosponti]

I always hear people talking about how linux isn't as prone to viruses, malware etc as Windows. Why is this? Do people just not code viruses and malware for linux? I scan my windows partition at least once every two weeks for viruses and malware, should I do the same for linux or no? Also how much should I fear hacking? I imagine virutally the entire linux community is computer gurus and experienced hackers. Am I extremely vulnerable? I just don't feel in control without my firewall and virus scanner sitting in the system tray, and the possibility of scanning for spyware every so often.

just dont use root as your primary login for one thing. i think that if everyone starts off by not taking the steps to secure thier PC its only a matter of time before people start writing virii for linux. Mac has already in the last month or so have two virus variations come out. also if you feel insecure without a firewall you can setup ip tables which would probably be better than anything you can get on windows. for now you dont have to worry too much about virii but i think there are virus scanners for linux but no one uses them. ClamAV has a client for linux i believe.

http://www.clamav.net/


plus if you install that and configure the firewall it gives you something to do to kill time.

[techieMoe]

Heh, sorry, I had no idea having not particularly scanned older posts here. Have you guys thought about having a FAQ page that would answer stuff like this and would be easy to point to(plus easy to utter the fav "read the faq!" )?

They wouldn't have to be essays(necessarily), just some quickie answers. examples:

Linux AV?
What's the best distro?
How do I install Linux?
Is Linux cheaper than Windows?

etc.

DT

That's essentially what I want. Just a little thread I could sticky and refer back to, like the "which distro" thread.

[fingal]

That's essentially what I want. Just a little thread I could sticky and refer back to, like the "which distro" thread.

I don't mind doing it in principle (I slightly misunderstood you earlier ... thought you just wanted a few links). I can't do it this evening though, as tonight is beer night.

I could draft something on Saturday if you like. Unless anyone else wants to take this on?