Is anti-virus necessary on Ubuntu?

[Langjan]

Linux systems are apparently less of a target for viruses than Windows software. Is it nevertheless advisable to install an anti-virus program and if yes, which one?

[oz]

Check this short guide to Linux security to help you in deciding what security apps you might want to run, if any:

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

[MASONTX]

While rarer than in windows, virusis are still possible in linux. Under the better safe than sorry heading, I install ClamAV on my linux machines.

[electroman6913]

I use it to scan hard drives of other windozes computers.

[spacetekcrusaders]

I installed Clam on my computer; however, the antivirus program took a long time to scan the computer and really slowed it down. So I got rid of Clam and just made sure that my firewall was configured the way I wanted it.
If you spend all day browsing the web and visit lots of new sites every day, then I would probably say you should still have an antivirus. However, if you typically only visit a few websites that you are comfortable with and know are secure, then I would say a firewall would probably be plenty. Still, it is better to be safe than sorry.

[TaZMAniac]

I've gone to sites that would destroy a Windows pc in seconds just to test the
security and fortitude of Linux. Ever do a Google search and get that warning that the site you are about to access is a site known to contain malware?
I have and continued on. Clicked on a link one time and the web page came up saying my computer is infected and that my Windows folder had 5 trojans in it and My Documents folder was infected.
The first time it happened my heart skipped a beat until I realized I was using Linux.
Now I take a screenshot and email it to my friends.
LOL!!!

Call me daring. Call me nuts. It doesn't matter. But I can say that
Linux has not suffered from my exploits and continues to run as fast and flawless
as the day I installed it.