FYI: Malware Myths and Misinformation (SF article)
 

..should be a must-read for those of you who always thought they had valid reasons for not running AV SW on Linux/GNU, and especially for those of you who ridicule *other* ppl for running AV SW.

SecurityFocus: Malware Myths and Misinformation

"Much Internet culture is founded on misinformation: computer security in general and the virus/malware arena in particular constitute prime examples. Most IT professionals and many people on the periphery (power users, hobbyists, computer journalists) see themselves as de facto security experts, and every security expert is a self-perceived virus expert. Virus writers, malware distributors, and their admirers add an extra spoonful of horsefeather sauce to the mix."

I don't know Spawn...

He then goes on to say that there are worms and trojans available on linux...which we knew all along existed...

Point being is that with proper admin techniques/practices, your box should be safe from all of those.

That being said, I would never make fun of someone for wanting to run an AV solution in linux, if they have a good reason to want to (ie: they know the risks and want to minimalize as much as possible even beyond normal means)...but I will maybe plead guilty to rolling my eyes when I hear about newbie linux users, fresh from windows who end up not wanting to use linux because it "doesn't have an anti-virus thing on it"

But then again, that's what that doc thread you started is all about no?

Also, running in root was mentioned. I have noticed lots of posts lately about newbies wanting to run in root rather than following standard Linux security.

I should have included part two as well:
Malware Myths and Misinformation, Part Two: Attachments, AV Software and Firewalls.

Point being is that with proper admin techniques/practices, your box should be safe from all of those.
Yeah. That should be a major part of the bottomline. Spose it needs advertising regularly, because as the text says, ppl do not always use common sense, question other ppl's authority, line of thinking etc etc when deciding on implementing those, being prone to deciding based on popular opinion, or even lazyness or lack of interest...

But then again, that's what that doc thread you started is all about no?
Ah, yes. The thread that grew very quiet overnight...

I have noticed lots of posts lately about newbies wanting to run in root rather than following standard Linux security.
As LQ members we should always educate our fellow members about those dangers. I hope you post a warning when you see that happening.

:tisk: I certainly do :tisk: every time I spot it.

They just aren't used to having a CLUE :D

P.S. That's a Command Line User Environment for the :newbie:

I'm heading over there right now...maybe I can add more stuff... :D