virus / adware protection
 

i am an initiate to running linux as a desktop solution. i have been using windows for a long time and have become acustomed to needing to worry constantly about antivirus software and adware / spyware protection

is this not a problem in Linux? do most people run any of this type of software on a Linux box?

thanks,

~ Justin

its advisable to have some kind of virus proection, but the risks are much less simply due to the lower popularity meaning less viruses are written for linux, most of the prolematic worm viruses in the news take advantage of people's stupidity in opening attachments and security holes. As for adware I think the same applies tho I'm not 100% sure, more 99.9%

so what are the standard antivirus packages available for Linux?

AFAIK, there is no Linux specific adware/spyware - we just have too much control over our boxes. If you are passing files to Win boxes (whether through email, fileserver, mailserver, etc) I would strongly suggest getting a virus guard (F-Prot and ClamAV are popular (and F-Prot has a gui)), that and don't pass on attachments in email.

two antivirus but I can't vouch for either, I dont run anything cause i dont feel at risk (2 years without problems)

http://www.centralcommand.com/linux_products.html

http://www.openantivirus.org

As for adware there isnt any that I know of, but Konstruct, Mozilla, Firefox, and probably Galeon too, all come with the ability to supress pop up windows :D The option will be under javascript options.