Antivirus Software
 

I am really enjoying myself with my new toy,ie Linux Ubuntu 11-10 which I have installed in a rescued tower and it seems to have everything except Antivirus Software within the OS. What is the recommended compatible Antivirus program most suitable to operating with Ubuntu? I notice that other members have been enquiring about this, I will see if I can find the answers given to their questions.

linux for the most part dose not need a Microsoft AV package
there are about only 12 or so viruses that run on Linux
compare that to the 1.5 million for Microsoft .


do a bit of research

You don't really need "anti-virus" software for Linux.... Yes, viruses exist, but good luck actually "getting" a virus. It is up to you though... Honestly, I have clamav installed on my system to scan my customer's hard drives, since everyone who comes to me runs windows. Have a look here - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-li...irus-programs/
This is also covered all over the internet also, I recommend searching on google and these forums, and see what other people say in other threads.

Cheers,

Josh

Considering you are using Ubuntu my suggestion would be, even though you don't need an AV, to open Synaptic and search for Anti Virus in it. ClamAV will come up there may be others as well.

You know, I have covered this already.... Just saying ;)

Show me where you suggesting opening synaptic :study:

Ok, you got one on me.... I will get you back!

I have no doubt you'll try :hattip:

It's rather hard to actually get a virus on linux in the wild - possible sure, but there are so few because the number of people on linux is very small compared to windows.
Even clam AV, which is one of the most highly recommended antiviruses on linux, scans mostly for windows viruses (the reasoning being so you don't pass along a virus to your friends/family/coworkers etc).
That said it's worth having if you're worried about infecting others, and I'd vote for clamAV which I've used from time to time for a while.

What others have said regarding the danger of viruses under Linux is quite true. As far as I know, there are currently no Linux viruses in the wild and haven't been for quite some time.

Nevertheless, as a matter of caution, I do not connect any computer to the internet without an AV. When there is a Linux virus in the wild, I intend to read about it, not experience it.

AVG makes a nice, unobtrusive, and well-behaved AV for Linux.

http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-free-all-product

I used to use F-Prot, but they made some changes and broke the licensing for free home use for Linux. That was several years ago and they've likely fixed that by now.

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/linux/

ClamAV - Community Ubuntu Documentation - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ClamAV
sudo apt-get install clamav clamtk

SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows - Community Ubuntu Documentation - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sw...tu/FromWindows

Many thanks everybody for your helpful advice. I am now using "ClamAV".