Hey guys kicked W10 off my desktop did not like it at all now using Ubuntu 16.04 how secure is Linux these days with new malware out there and antiviruses I tried to install comodo but didn't let me I use the UFW Firewall and do my updates everyday

Good for you!

Linux is very secure, more so then Windows, however, the weakest link in the chain is still the person using the device.

antivirus is not necessary, unless you are running an email server etc..., however, if you want to feel better you can install:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RKhunter

after running rkhunter then run chkrootkit as root:
chkrootkit

false positives may come up, and may require further research/investigation.

ClamAV may be beneficial as well. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ClamAV

Make sure you use browser addons for firefox, something like: NoScript, uBlock Origin, HTTPS
Everywhere etc...

Since youre using Ubuntu this may be worth a look over: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BasicSecurity

Thanks guys I don't do much on my desktop online banking facebook youtube surf an shop but I use firefox for that and chromium for my bank needs
and thunderbird as my email client

So, worst advice ever.

2 members found this post helpful.

So propose something better, otherwise of what value was your comment?

YMMV,perhaps.

Frankly, you shouldn't have to be thinking about "rootkits" or anything such as that, because you should be closing your system off from any attempt(!) at unauthorized access.

As I describe in my LQ Blog, you can create a "Dwarvish Door" (think: Mines of Moria, Lord of the Rings), using OpenVPN with the tls-auth feature. To gain access, one must possess two one-of-a-kind digital certificates, and the second must not have been revoked. Only after passing through this first gantlet can you reach ssh or anything else ... and those who do not possess the necessary certificates cannot detect(!) that the secret door even exists, let alone open it. There are no "open ports," and the OpenVPN service will not reveal its existence. (If you don't show that you probably possess the first certificate, it won't even talk to you.)

Authorized users pass swiftly through, and you know every user by name because of the unique credentials that they bear. Whereas, L33T H4X0RZ can't even find you. Their 'bots pass silently by, detecting nothing.

"Number of Unauthorized Access Attempts: Zero."

Even though ssh encrypts its communications ... who cares? It's just as insecure as telnet, because it gives the entire world a login: prompt.

What's with the root kit advice
Ė

Habitual, you've been a member of LQ long enough to know that posts such as #4 aren't acceptable here.

--jeremy

While I'm not too clear on what your asking here... but, if it's about viruses on Linux, NO system is 100% secure (that includes Linux).

But having said that, Linux is a LOT more secure than other systems (like Windows). You have to make your own judgement, as to whether or not, you need anti-virus software. If your also using Windows PC's and/or running servers, that deal with Windows machines then, yes, I would recommend you install some.

A lot of the major AV vendors DO support Linux, like Sophos (that I use myself) for one, but far from limited to.

You can also use rkhunter (that I also have installed) as well, in addition to whatever AV software (if any), you decide to go with.

I suggest you do more research and based on that research, make your own judgement.

Best of luck!

1 members found this post helpful.

You can install tripwire.

i recommend installing adblock and noscript and getting rid of flash plugin for w/e browser.

why? because i was browsing football stream sites and my browser got infected with ad-malware, it downloaded porn pop-ups etc.

Been proposing for about 5 years now.
I apologize for my insensitive post.
just rubbed me the wrong way.
All the other suggested items (noscript/adblock) are spot-on.

It won't happen again.

John

I agree with the advice about ad-blockers. (Sorry, LQ!)

Internet advertisements are Java or JavaScript programs, and as such they represent one of the best and fastest ways to distribute malicious or vexatious programming.

Hi Habitual, and I have generally enjoyed your posts and benefited from them as well. I removed that section and changed it (see above post). I find that alot of new people to Linux that have Windows hard wired in their nervous system can be a bit overzealous about Malware/Virus/Trojans etc...,so I tend to er on the side of caution and patience with them. I can see a new person running rkhunter for example and freaking out when they see some warnings, before reading the log and figuring out that the warning is ok and not Armageddon.

OP I found this thread for you: https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812?