Linux Spyware
 

Hey can linux be affected by spyware and spam and all that other crap thats out there? I'm running openSUSE 10.2 is there anything that i can do to keep my system from getting spyware? Any scanners like adaware and spybot etc. for linux?

In general spyware is not a problem in Linux, so there aren't really equivalents for spybot or adaware. Basically, Linux functions more securely than Windows, and as long as you're not running as root, it is very difficult for these programs to install themselves. Particularly since Linux doesn't have crap like ActiveX. Now this isn't to say that you don't need to take some basic security measures in Linux because there are problems lurking out there, it is just harder for them to get installed. Turn off unneeded services. Never, ever, EVER access the Internet from root. Turn on the firewall.

If you really want to dig into Linux security, I can't think of a better place to start than here.

If you need antivirus, go with Avast Home for Linux or ClamAV. I wouldn't be too worried, because most of the viruses they test for are Windows ones. There are very few Linux viruses. Don't worry about the spyware.