I Have been trying to install BitDefender on Mint 11 but without success,
Would be grateful for any help. Please note my knowledge of commands is zero but have managed to get this far,
1. Downloaded BitDefender-Antivirus-Scanner-7.6-4.linux-gcc4x.i586.deb.run into the download file.
In Terminal I have tried to run it using sudo sh followed by the filename but get the message it can't find the file.
Have tried cd /Desktop & cd/Downloads (Mentioned in a Linux article) but still get nowhere.
Also tried putting the file on the desktop, then properties,permissions, ticked the execute box but terminal is not showing up in that box.
Please note this is my fifth day using Linux but doing my best to learn.

1 members found this post helpful.

One thing to note about Linux (and unix systems in general), is that the file names don't matter. For Windows, files that are named .exe, .com, .bat., etc., can be executed. In Linux, ANYTHING can be run, if the permissions are set correctly, file names don't matter. Since you downloaded a the .run file, and you've already found the terminal, go into that directory (with a regular "cd /some/path" command), and type in "chmod 755 <whatever the filename is>". Then try to run it. Again, Windows behaves differently...it will automatically look in the current directory. Linux/unix doesn't, so when you try to run it, type in "./<filename>" The "./" indicates that you're running it from the directory you're currently in. By extension, you could also type in the whole path name, such as "/home/myuser/Downloads/filename.run".

And seeing as this is your fifth day with Linux (welcome!), note that you don't really NEED anti-virus software.

EDIT: MTK358 beat me to the last line.

This will help with the cmd line http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz; a great tutorial even if it is a little old now.
You may find this a good quick read also http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

sorry but still struggling with this, all I get is the message command not found.
Do I need to be logged in to the terminal for it to accept my instructions ?

Chris01,
I am getting a 404 error on your first link (using firefox)
second link was very helpful.

Thanks for these links they will prove very helpful over the coming weeks (and months)

Well, it is slightly a misnomer to say that "Linux is immune to malware," because that really cannot be true of any operating system. A digital computer is, after all, "just a machine," and it can easily be convinced to execute something ... whether you are aware that it is doing so or not.

The reason why Windows gets such a bad rap is that, for millions of their hapless users, Windows' formidable security features are turned off, and not only that, they aren't easily turned on. In "Home" editions, the necessary tools simply aren't provided. The computers are sitting ducks and, I would say, were intended to be.

"Virus checkers" are very invasive and pervasive programs, and as such, they are the most common target for malware authors. Any program that is designed to examine any file before it gets used is, by definition, an all-powerful program that can also do great mischief.

The secret is ... even though you can't reasonably prevent a program from running, you can prevent it from doing serious harm. You do this by limiting yourself. Do not give yourself any more access, any more capability, than is required to do whatever you happen to be doing at the time. If you wear several different hats, allocate a separate (non privileged) user account for each one.

"Virus checkers" prop open all the doors and remove all the locks, then try to tell you, "hey, somebody just stole your prize race horse." (By that time, it's ex post facto.) A much more sensible strategy is ... lock the gate.

1 members found this post helpful.

Success at last !!
Possibly not the way to do it but it worked !
Entered SU in the terminal
entered password
Dragged the file from downloads and dropped it into the terminal
pressed return.......... and it installed no problem !!