Not a virus, but a rootkit. Several years ago, I maintained a mail server running RH9 that got compromised because of a vulnerability in SSH. Took me a couple days to bring it back. IIRC it was chkrootkit that saved me.

As for antivirus in Linux, no, I don't use one... I practice safe hex!

never...

Most e-mail services scan for viruses anyway.

Any system can be compromised.

The only reason why rogue software (a.k.a. "viruses") get so much attention is that, quite inexplicably, there are millions of Windows computers out there (running the so-called "Home Editions" which not only have all of their security turned off, but which are obviously rigged so that the security features are difficult to turn on because the necessary software is either well-buried or not supplied at all.

Many fortunes have been made by installing "thief detectors" outside of deliberately unlocked and opened doorways.

I think that "most rogues are for Windows" because they are such (deliberately...?) vulnerable targets. Which is remarkable, because in some ways Windows has the strongest off-the-shelf security model out there. Installed by default, then ... turned off.

One big problem for Linux users is that language has failed to evolve with the technology, because "anti-virus" means a piece of software that protects a system from a whole lot more than viruses. A virus is simply invasive code that is self-replicating. There are plenty of other threats out there, and anti-virus software protects against a lot of them. For example, a trojan horse which does not contain self-proliferation code (email itself out to your contacts, etc) is not a virus, but it's still a threat, and anti-virus software scans for those.

It seems to me you've got that bolded statement backwards. Windows has always given users full administrative privileges, run network services as an account with full administrative privileges, etc. How is that a strong model?

My brother some years ago survived car accident just because he didn't wear seat-belt. What is point of this example? Proof that outcome relies on lot more factors than just seat-belt or AV..

@ arcane

So...you'd never get a flue shot because it does'nt bother you...

What kind of an "off" reasoning is that?

Nobody uses "protective software" just for him/herself...but (as I mentioned before) to keep a thread from spreading.
Ever wondered why Japanese and Chinese (others too, Dunnow) wear these little mouth masks? To protect the people around them as well as themselves. That's what AV is about: thinking of the others too.

AV - and whatever else around it - is a communal issue, just like recycling and wellfare.

I may be non-typical because I work in the field and have clients who maintain vulnerability as a matter of corporate policy (which is why an MBA should NEVER set policy for IT!)
I have seen boot-sector infections, rootkits, breakers (you would say Hackers), a back-door shims, two worms, and a couple of viruses. Those are only the ones that required recovery: I do not count the ones I successfully prevented, isolated, or trapped in a honey pot.

Admittedly spread out over years, but if you think you are immune to attack (virus or other threat) just because you are running Linux: you are living a pipe dream. You have a greater chance of remaining lucky than the poor people who trust to Microsoft, but the only luck that lasts is that you make.

I advise running ClamAV on a regular basis, and integrating it into your email engine and browser. I advise running a rootkit prevention and detection tool daily. I recommend you READ those logs, either directly or using a tool to parse them and provide notice of unexpected behavior.

Regular backups to a remote server or media that you can store off-site to protect your most critical data and settings is key! Not only to recover from attack (passive or active) but to recover from the inevitable hardware failure. IMOHO: Backing up EVERYTHING is only needed for critical business servers, overkill for most personal machines; but NOT backing up ANYTHING is pretty foolish unless EVERYTHING of value to you is out in the cloud!

PS: can we say "anti-malware'? I like to use the term 'protection', as it covers pretty much everything, but I have no ego invested either way.

When i said that nonsence? I would say that i won't get it as long as it doesn't bother me not never. Flue isn't really exception for this since we all are bothered by flue at some day. Also what works for one doesn't work for someone else so don't say my opinion is worst because you don't agree with it. I wasn't saying using AV is wrong - i just don't use it on my PC with Linux @ home! Other PC have AV because users tend do silly stuff on Windows but even then AV won't help against PEBKAC. But really? If you say i will get PC damaged just because i don't use or use AV is real "off" reasoning. It is marketing trick to make people use AV - in reality people with enough knowledge how that stuff works DON'T need use AV as rule and lot of them don't use it. Pointless if you don't need it. If you do need then it will be used.

I personally don't see a need…I don't do enough that warrants any more precaution than obvious common-sense stuff (not running unnecessary things as root, don't go to dodgy websites, only install software from trusted sources, etc.).

poll currently shows that 82.14 % of people(both humans & robots at LQ) who voted,don't use antivirus with Linux.
i just can't imagine what would be the results if i'd have posted the same question for Windows......

Yes you can.

Kind regards

IF your careful about what you download and install (stay as far as you can get away from warez or anything in any way stolen be it music movies software etc etc ...)
IF you never run internet exploiter when connecter to the inter net (do not use out look for your email ether)

you do not need a virus scanner even on windoze