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Excuse me for asking, but I did notice that a few of the posters on this board make use of anti-virus software for Linux. My question is why is this necessary? I have never had a problem with this on Linux but I'm sure someone has a good reason for doing so.
I also haven't had any problems with linux viruses or spyware. A lot of people run anti virus software as a "just in case" type of protection. Chances are your system won't ever be infected.
I have f-prot because I get payed for cleaning up windows boxes, so I can pull the hard drive, put it in my linux box, mount it and scan it w/o windows getting in the way
If your linux box has an e-mail server for windows clients, having anti-virus software can detect and block viruses to protect the email clients. This is what most anti-virus programs for linux are designed to do.
There tend to not be many viriuses for linux since
1. Most linux users tend not click the attachment for the freescreensaver!
2. Most linux users have root and user passwords which would inhibiit the spread of a virus
3. A very small number of people use linux compared to windows
most AV software for linux doesn't even scan for linux viruses, so for home users its completely worthless (and if it makes them feel better having it, then id suggest they switch back to windows, as that way it can actually help them)
people that use linux AV software tend to use it for email, and scanning files as they get them (maybe they host a file server)
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