LinuxQuestions.org
Review your favorite Linux distribution.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software
User Name
Password
Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 10-09-2003, 06:16 PM   #1
enigma Z
Member
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: The edge of the world, peering down into the dark abyss
Distribution: Gentoo 2004.2
Posts: 224

Rep: Reputation: 30
A Virus Scanner for Linux??


Hey, I was just wondering if a virus scanner would be useful on a linux box. Or do most of the viruses out there affect only Windoze and Mac machines.

If I should be scanning my downloads, then is there a good virus scanner that anyone can recommend
 
Old 10-09-2003, 06:18 PM   #2
flamesrock
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Distribution: Gentoo 2006.1
Posts: 405

Rep: Reputation: 30
There are virus scans for linux out there, but you are much better off spending your time configuring security on your computer since the chances of getting a virus on linux are extremely small.
 
Old 10-09-2003, 06:23 PM   #3
DrOzz
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2003
Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Distribution: slackware
Posts: 4,185

Rep: Reputation: 60
well there isn't much of a need, but if you really want one you can do a search on this fourm about the topic at hand, and you'll find that this question has been asked/answered many of times, with many different suggestions given....but let me just leave you with a known fact ..
As of 2001, there was more than 30,000 viruses that affected windows, and only 18 known virus in Linux....but now a days if you want a somewhat approximation of how many there is, you will just double the figures i have given....as there is over 60,000 for windows and in the ballpark figure of around ~50 for linux...
oh and p.s. macs have basically the same threat as we linux users...
 
Old 10-10-2003, 09:36 AM   #4
enigma Z
Member
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: The edge of the world, peering down into the dark abyss
Distribution: Gentoo 2004.2
Posts: 224

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
That's what I thought, thanks
 
Old 10-10-2003, 10:02 AM   #5
hw-tph
Senior Member
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Debian
Posts: 3,032

Rep: Reputation: 58
Even though viruses and worms for Linux are very rare it's not a bad idea to go with a virus scanner. Take for instance the Samba scenario: If you run Samba and let Windows users write and read from your disks it's quite probable that a virus will end up on your hard drive at one time or another. By not running a virus scanner you could be letting the virus spread to other Samba users. Or you could forward an email with an infected attachment. In both scenarios it's *your* fault.

hw
 
Old 10-10-2003, 10:04 AM   #6
enigma Z
Member
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: The edge of the world, peering down into the dark abyss
Distribution: Gentoo 2004.2
Posts: 224

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
hmmm

Could you recommend one to me??

Or could I wine mcafee??
 
Old 10-10-2003, 10:34 AM   #7
lupin_the_3rd
Member
 
Registered: Oct 2003
Location: Memphis, TN
Distribution: Slackware current
Posts: 485

Rep: Reputation: 30
f-prot, works great for me...
 
Old 10-10-2003, 10:52 AM   #8
jeremy
root
 
Registered: Jun 2000
Distribution: Debian, Red Hat, Slackware, Fedora, Ubuntu
Posts: 13,597

Rep: Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080Reputation: 4080
I highly recommend ClamAV.

http://clamav.sourceforge.net/

--jeremy
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Virus Scanner jenny_psion Linux - Security 3 11-22-2005 04:05 AM
linux virus scanner TranceDude Linux - Software 8 09-18-2005 10:12 PM
virus scanner. RoaCh Of DisCor Linux - Software 1 08-24-2004 02:35 PM
Virus scanner FredrikN Linux - Security 5 09-03-2002 02:56 PM
Good Virus Scanner for Linux BlackDogg Linux - Software 6 07-26-2002 06:37 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration