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I understand the importance of running AV software on a linux server that is supporting a windows network, but how important is it for a linux workstation? What are you ...
  1. 07-17-2003 #1
    CopperTop
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    AntiVirus Software



    I understand the importance of running AV software on a linux server that is supporting a windows network, but how important is it for a linux workstation?

    What are you guys running (if anything) to prevent possible infections?
    \"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.\"
    Albert Einstein
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  2. 07-17-2003 #2
    kriss
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    I'd say the virus threath on GNU/Linux is not to worry, as the kiddies seem to like making viruses only for windows. Besides, windows is much more insecure ( normal users can delete system files etc ).

    I just don't download software from obscure places, just from places like sourceforge and ftp.gnu.org etc and I'm fine
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  3. 07-17-2003 #3
    Mado
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    I don't even run Anti-Virus on my Windows computer....
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  4. 07-17-2003 #4
    CopperTop
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mado
    I don't even run Anti-Virus on my Windows computer....
    Ouch.
    \"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.\"
    Albert Einstein
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  5. 07-17-2003 #5
    jasonlambert
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    linux does not suffer from a virus problem in the same way windows does, but it does suffer a lot from internet worms etc.

    never run things as r00t and you have elimited 99% of that problem

    Jason
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  6. 07-17-2003 #6
    CopperTop
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    So no additional software is required? That's good because I'm still running off a 3GB drive and space is becoming limited.
    \"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.\"
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  7. 08-11-2003 #7
    ventricle
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    Besides, windows is much more insecure ( normal users can delete system files etc ).
    On XP, this is true only if the user is part of the admin group. If the user account is setup appropriately you can limit what files the normal user account can view/edit/delete. Just ask some blokes at work here, who can't do anything because of permissions!
    The major difference I have seen is that there is always a note during a linux install to create a user for normal use and not use the root user because of such problems. I'm sure when I installed XP I didn't get prompted to create a user and don't add it to the admin group.

    As for the virus scanner. If the machine is for home use, and if you aren't super paranoid, I'd not bother with it just yet. Perhaps in a couple of years time it might be necessary when virus authors decide they have a new target, you'll need to do it, but by then I'm sure you'll have a new hard disk.
    PS. I can't believe what a small disk you have
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  8. 08-11-2003 #8
    CopperTop
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    Quote Originally Posted by ventricle
    PS. I can't believe what a small disk you have
    The other drive in that machine is a 40GB, but that's still dedicated to Windows. Just haven't gotten around to cleaning it up and making use of extra space for Linux yet...
    \"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.\"
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  9. 08-11-2003 #9
    sarumont
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    The thing about the windows user system, though, is that anyone in the Administrators (and Power-Users, too, I think) group can delete other Administrators, change thier passwords, etc. I'm pretty sure that this is the same for normal users (correct me if I'm wrong).
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  10. 08-11-2003 #10
    ventricle
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    No, you're not wrong. Any admin user can delete any other admin user.
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