Is Linux Really Free from Virus?
This post was actually inspired by one of my favorite blogger in Malaysia, Vickie. She has a post regarding a malware that infected her computer via a Pen drive, in which I believe is true to most or should I say to all Windows users. I actually made a comment by saying “it’s now time to use ubuntu” but thinking about it for a while, I notice that I haven’t had any post regarding security over Linux.
My personal answer to my post was, YES. Linux is a virus free platform. But instead of me explaining again and again and answering the old age question about “is Linux free from Virus?“, I have then compiled all the articles that I read before to back up my answer. Here they are:
- Note to new Linux users: No antivirus needed
- So, do I need a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware tools?
- [Linux]: Do You Really Need Anti-Virus Software?
- Should I get anti-virus software for my Linux box?
- Does ubuntu need a anti virus program?
C’mon, don’t hesitate anymore. Free your mind and embrace the power of Free and Open Source Softwares (FOSS). Head over to ubuntu.com and download your own copy now. You wouldn’t really know unless you try. I suggest Linux Mint or Kubuntu as a both OS proved to be a linux newbie friendly.
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Comments
Well Linux will be safe until it is not famous but once it is all those losers out there who create viruses will come up with ways to get in to our system in no time.
To say Linux doesn’t have viruses in the wild is one thing but to say it is safe from viruses is another.
If a virus runs in Wine then your computer is infected. If that virus is one that propagates itself and you have not set up iptables to not allow the free for all outbound access that is commonly its default then your no better than a infected windows user.
Long live Linux.
Windows users are more easily infected because most run as admin or have admin privilages, (root for you Linux only guys), if a Linux user was running as root they would be able to get infected and infect the whole system. Linux is NOT immune and it is odd that people keep saying that. Linux is forever providing patches and security fixes, read some of them and see what you are updating for.
I like and use Linux, but am not too ignorant to say that I am secure and have nothing to worry about ever, it is only a matter of time, especially if Linux became a more popular desktop OS and more new users run as root. Linux is more secure than Windows but only because of popularity and the fact that ‘most’ Linux users do not run as root, if they do then please don’t brag about it here, it’s very unwise.
When you are not the root, you are much safer from virus attacks because you do not have the privilege to run executable files.
I would only use linux or ubuntu if I could use it in a sand box virtually and only to run a web browser. The only reason I say is because windows is awesome for all the things I like to do. I’d NEVER give up windows. I’ll consider it, but I got windows 7 and so far no problems for months now. If I do have a problem, I might run a virtual one, if it can do that. But again, I’d never quit using my main os.
Linux is good but we already using windows for a long time and one things majority users using windows their works. so it’s better use what we know than what we don’t know. Anyway thanks.
Yes it’s free from ..lets say 98% of the viruses arround, that is ’cause they uses the win32 api to run wich does not exist on linux. When I put some pendrives from my students on my laptop with Ubuntu I can see the autorun.inf file and edit it so I can find where the viruses are and manualy delete them. I never get infected.
IMHO Ubuntu 10.04 is easier to use than any windows, simply because you don’t need to buy anything, nor need to crack or patch nothing, all the software you will need is there a few clicks away and totally free for you to download install and run.
And if you use MS Office, you will notice that Open office is more compatible with MS office documents than diferent versions of the office suite from MS.
When I go to some cyber or when I use other PC i always use an ubuntu bootable pendrive to avoid using windows ’cause i dont like waisting my time waiting for all the malware to finally let me get into internet.
But don’t believe me, just try it for yourself.
hello,
since i have Ubuntu i have no OS crashes or viruses. and i can do anything that Windows does, even more. and it is free!
good bye Windows….
flojd
Looks like I need to migrate over to Linux