Question about Anti-Virus

[sam_1979]

Hi, friends

I'm newbie of Linux, and I install puppy linux on my old PC recently, plan to use for browsing internet, so I want to know if an anti-virus software need to be installed, just heard of Linux is much safer than Windows...

Please give me some suggestion.

Thanks.

[Kieren]

Hi Sam

Linux security including virus scanners and firewalls is a common question here so a regular user called Fingal created a detailed post for anyone who was interested:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...-security.html

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

I've never run an antivirus application in my 9 years of running Linux, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't. The link posted by Kieren should help you to decide. You can find more Linux security applications here:

Security | Linux App Finder

[jmadero]

For a simple answer, no there is no need. I've installed them off and on over the years but never found them helpful. A firewall is a good idea, something simple. Windows is targeted by 99.99% of viruses, a small fraction is sent to macs/Unix machines (although since Apple has continued to be unfriendly towards the open source community I've noticed an increase in Apple viruses...not trying to draw a conclusiong but...it's interesting). A firewall on the other hand will prevent sensitive data from getting into the wrong hands, you can also check out encryption stuff if you have really sensitive material, I use encfs, thinking about encrypting my entire home folder just for good measure.