Does Linux need an Anti-Virus?

Paul6 Replies

Anti-virus Programs and Linus Torvalds

Hey let’s face it with the recent virus problems Machnitoshes has had, we’ve got a bit of problem on our hands.   I’ve come to the realization that there must be a way to protect my Linux operating system much better.   Although there are several different programs out there that can be used with Linux.  I however wanted to talk about the necessity of having a program installed and running to better protect me from doing something bad.   Hey I admit it, I occasionally click on links when I shouldn’t and also occasionally like to see what is in my spam folder just to make sure I am not missing something that I should.

Is Anti-virus Really needed for Linux?

There have been advocates for Anti-virus programs for the Linux community over the past few years.   I have been one of those myself.

 

Any antivirus/spyware needed?

 

I have been an advocate of “Linux” “doing” “enabling” antivirus/spyware for over 6 years now….it WILL hit “us” sooner or later….but given the money involved I think…..MUCH later….so….no, for now, do not worry about it at all.

If you get “something” that says it is “checking your computer” it is because WINE has automatically been enabled and the malware is seeing that and NOT Kubuntu….so….ummmm….close the browser….re-open and get on with your malware free life.

Via Kunbuntuforums.net

Now I tell you,  What is wrong with this picture?   Are the Linux users acting a little like Apple users, and thinking they can’t get a virus.   I won’t say that right now there are any viruses in the wild but I would caution everyone not to consider your system invulnerable even though there aren’t as many reports of virus out in the wild.   It will hit us next if not this year probably in a year or two.

Linux is Next for sure!

I don’t say that lightly, I am sure in the coming years to even months that the malware writers and virus writers will be looking at Linux more and more.   With Apple just being hit and finally admitting that they have been hit with a virus, you can bet that some of the Apple users will convert to Linux just because they were using Apple’s believe that they were immune to viruses and malware.   They will come and when that comes the eyes of the world will be on Linux users.   It will be our job to get ready for these nefarious users and fight them off.   So I call to the community to get ready for this to happen.   I know it is coming almost as much as I know I am going to keep blogging.   Only time will prove me right, but I know it is going to happen and if your not ready then you can only blame yourself.

Stay Safe

Paul Sylvester

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6 Comments

  1. It’s not a question of whether Linux will get viruses. There are already a number of worms and other malware that have struck Linux services. As for a virus or other malware attacks against Linux as a whole, it can’t happen the way it can for Windows and Mac OS X. It’s a question of homogeneity vs. heterogeneity. Windows and Mac OS X have two flavors, 32bit and 64bit essentially [this is an over-generalization, but it’s generally true]. Linux is so balkanized, that it’s difficult to think a virus could be written that could affect every distro out there, since none of them run the same versions of various system software [like services, filesystems, etc.], so it’s not likely that the same type of flaw will exist everywhere. Also, with distributions like Debian so many architectures are supported, and it’s difficult to imagine some virus author to put in the effort to make the virus able to infect so many disparate systems. The law of diminishing returns applies here.

    So I agree, it’s possible that viruses for Linux will be in the wild sooner than later, but they will target specific distros/architectures [like Debian, Red Hat, SuSE, and derivatives, or even Android, and all the architectures supported by them]. Also, this means that the target markets for Linux viruses will be segmented and segregated, and thus much less profitable than markets as huge and contiguous as Windows or even Mac OS X. Until there’s no more low hanging fruit like this, virus writers won’t have the economic incentive to target Linux in general, except maybe to prove it can be done. But then again, the returns won’t ever be as spectacular as they can be on relatively homogeneous systems like Windows and Mac OS X. Thus it will always be possible to write Linux viruses, but not nearly as probable as with other commercial operating systems.

  2. This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  4. […] with the linux community at a whole but that isn’t what makes it interesting.   I got a comment that I must talk about in parts. It’s not a question of whether Linux will get viruses. There are already a number of worms and […]

  6. […] I say it is needed, it is because us as a community should be ready. I know I already talked about people getting a Virus on Linux, and that some people think you can’t get a Virus. In all aspects, the Linux community is in […]

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