Win Linux 2003 (Virus Software Question)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keanu Reeves
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Keanu Reeves

Just downloaded and installed free winlinux 2003 operating system anyone no
if i need any virus software installed with this as im new to linux and im
not sure.Also if i do need virus software which should i use. Regards Keanu
 
Just downloaded and installed free winlinux 2003 operating system anyone no
if i need any virus software installed with this as im new to linux and im
not sure.Also if i do need virus software which should i use. Regards Keanu
Click to expand...
No you don't need any AV software.

--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
Conor said:
No you don't need any AV software.
Click to expand...

Safe computing practices still suggest the use of scanners
to check any incoming executable content. Linux doesn't
make you not need to adhere to safe practice despite what
many Linux zealots will tell you.
 
Just downloaded and installed free winlinux 2003 operating system
anyone no if i need any virus software installed with this as im new to
linux and im not sure.Also if i do need virus software which should i
use. Regards Keanu
Click to expand...

Altho viruses are a lot less common with *nix than Windows, some do exist.
One AV that looks like a good choice is F-Prot
(http://www.f-prot.com/products/index.html)
 
[email protected] said:
Safe computing practices still suggest the use of scanners
to check any incoming executable content. Linux doesn't
make you not need to adhere to safe practice despite what
many Linux zealots will tell you.
Click to expand...
You have no understanding of how Linux treats files do you?


--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
Conor said:
you have no understanding of how that doesn't matter, do you...
Click to expand...
More than you my simpleton friend.

Linux doesn't determine the filetype by its extension. It requires that
you actually manually save the file somewhere then manually execute it,
assuming of course that the file headers state it is executable,
otherwise you have to set is as an executable. Even then, it'll only
run at the same permission level as the account holder running it.

Unlike Windows, you can't get a virus just by clicking on a link in an
e-mail.



--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
Click to expand...
 
Conor said:
You have no understanding of how Linux treats files do you?
Click to expand...

It has very little to do with what we are discussing, but - yes,
I do know a thing or two about Linux's filesystems.

....and I know that your statement:

"No you don't need any AV software."

....as an answer to Keanu Reeves question, indicates that
you know very little about viruses, and safe computing
practices in general.
 
Altho viruses are a lot less common with *nix than Windows, some do exist.
One AV that looks like a good choice is F-Prot
(http://www.f-prot.com/products/index.html)
Click to expand...

I recently did a virus check on my never checked before, 4 year old /home
partition.
It came up clean :)
Try browsing the web on a non-protected windows machine and see how long
it lasts ;)
Last time I did that with a windows machine, I was infected within 15
minutes!
 
Just downloaded and installed free winlinux 2003 operating system anyone no
if i need any virus software installed with this as im new to linux and im
not sure.Also if i do need virus software which should i use. Regards Keanu
Click to expand...

As someone else has recommended, F-Prot is available for Linux free
for personal use and there are a couple others. However, viruses are
so extremely rare on Linux at this time - and I stress at this time -
that you needn't really worry about it.

What you need to worry about is making sure your system is locked down
before you go on the Net because there are a few worms around for
Linux (not many, perhaps less than twenty but they exist), and there
are vulnerabilities in Linux apps and services for gaining root
access. Therefore you should make sure you have all patches issued
for your distro and check http://www.linuxsecurity.org/ for advisories
on a weekly basis.
 
Conor said:
Conor said:
[snip]

Safe computing practices still suggest the use of scanners
to check any incoming executable content. Linux doesn't
make you not need to adhere to safe practice despite what
many Linux zealots will tell you.

You have no understanding of how Linux treats files do you?
Click to expand...

you have no understanding of how that doesn't matter, do you...
Click to expand...

More than you my simpleton friend.
Click to expand...

ooooOOOoooo... ad hominem's, how persuasive...
Linux doesn't determine the filetype by its extension. It requires that
you actually manually save the file somewhere then manually execute it,
Click to expand...

and? the existence of successful email worms that send themselves out
as *zip* files proves there are people who will go to that trouble...
assuming of course that the file headers state it is executable,
otherwise you have to set is as an executable. Even then, it'll only
run at the same permission level as the account holder running it.
Click to expand...

same is true for all windows nt based platforms (nt, 2k, xp, 2k3)...
Unlike Windows, you can't get a virus just by clicking on a link in an
e-mail.
Click to expand...

that has nothing to do with the operating system and everything to do
with the email clients... there is no real barrier preventing email
client application developers from putting the exact same convenience
'feature' into a linux email client...

moreover, the fact remains that there are viruses that operate under
linux, there will be more, and sticking your head in the sand of linux
propaganda isn't going to keep one's system secure... if someone
accepts executable material that's emailed to them they should scan it
first, no matter what OS they're running...
 
[email protected] said:
...and I know that your statement:

"No you don't need any AV software."

...as an answer to Keanu Reeves question, indicates that
you know very little about viruses, and safe computing
practices in general.
Click to expand...
No, what it does mean is that I have common sense. THat's why the only
time I've ever had an infected computer was back in 1994 when I
knowingly ran something from a dodgy site that could have been
infected.

--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
and? the existence of successful email worms that send themselves out
as *zip* files proves there are people who will go to that trouble...
Click to expand...
And people who use Linux generally tend to exercise more common sense.
same is true for all windows nt based platforms (nt, 2k, xp, 2k3)...
Click to expand...
Ah yes, like the standard XP account that is created as a member of the
Administrator group by default.
that has nothing to do with the operating system and everything to do
with the email clients... there is no real barrier preventing email
client application developers from putting the exact same convenience
'feature' into a linux email client...
Click to expand...
Except for the fact it doesn't exist.
moreover, the fact remains that there are viruses that operate under
linux, there will be more, and sticking your head in the sand of linux
propaganda isn't going to keep one's system secure... if someone
accepts executable material that's emailed to them they should scan it
first, no matter what OS they're running...
Click to expand...
Firstly, most of the stuff for linux are exploits, usually of server
services. Secondly most Linux users are a little more clued up about
the functions of the OS than your standard Windows user.

--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
Conor wrote:

Firstly, most of the stuff for linux are exploits, usually of server
services. Secondly most Linux users are a little more clued up about
the functions of the OS than your standard Windows user.
Click to expand...

Maybe a bit too arrogant, as well.
 
Conor said:
No, what it does mean is that I have common sense.
Click to expand...

....but the OP asked about himself (or users in general) not
about whether or not you think *you* have need for Linux
AV software. The fact that you think that you don't have
any use for AV with Linux indicates to me that you have
much less clue than you believe that you do.

The fact is that even in Windows, an e-mail attachment must
be converted into an executable file before it is executed. The
fact that most Windows users have an e-mail client that makes
the process easier (catering to the laziness of their userbase)
doesn't really have as much to do with the OS as it does with
the applications that the user uses.

With more and more clueless Linux users entering the userbase,
how long do you think it will be before most of them opt for
applications that cater to their laziness? How many of them will
be running applications that are unsafe securitywise and not even
open source (as the Linux purists would prefer that everything be
done).
THat's why the only
time I've ever had an infected computer was back in 1994 when I
knowingly ran something from a dodgy site that could have been
infected.
Click to expand...

I have never had an infection or infestation on my internet ready
computer ~ I have other computers for that stuff.

It is possible to run Windows without AV also, but I wouldn't
recommend that anyone who needs to ask, do so. Plus, if you
bring any executables onboard ~ they should be scanned for
malware after a suitable cooling off period. AV scanners are
better equipped for this function than your average user with
a hex editor, disassembler, and/or decompiler.
 
Conor said:
And people who use Linux generally tend to exercise more common sense.
Click to expand...

never said they didn't... but as linux gains market share that will
gradually become less and less the case...
Ah yes, like the standard XP account that is created as a member of the
Administrator group by default.
Click to expand...

as if linux duh-faults were perfectly safe... no defaults are perfectly
safe, everything is safer when configured intelligently...
Except for the fact it doesn't exist.
yet...


Firstly, most of the stuff for linux are exploits, usually of server
services. Secondly most Linux users are a little more clued up about
the functions of the OS than your standard Windows user.
Click to expand...

have you noticed that not once in the above message did you defend your
previous contention that linux doesn't need an anti-virus because of
the way it treats files? in fact what you've done is identified a
variety of reasons why viruses haven't been a big issue on linux thus
far, including a generally more technically savvy user-base and the
lack of a security brain-dead email client... all of which i actually
agree with... hurray... progress at last...
 
Conor wrote:



Maybe a bit too arrogant, as well.
Click to expand...
PLenty of cause to be. Several million desktops and servers shutting
down every 60 seconds due to the RPC exploit and just how many millions
of e-mails have been due to MyDoom which even requires the user to run
an attachment?

--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
have you noticed that not once in the above message did you defend your
previous contention that linux doesn't need an anti-virus because of
the way it treats files?
Click to expand...

Are you ****ing stupid?


--
Conor

"The vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world.
And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
- George Bush
 
Conor said:
Are you ****ing stupid?
Click to expand...

i could ask you the same thing for coming up with the 'linux
anti-viruses are unneeded because of the way linux handles files'
proposition in the first place... but i didn't...
 
Conor said:
PLenty of cause to be.
Click to expand...

No, there isn't. But, if you want to be, be prepared for the responses
you'll get. I've lurked some linux NG's and not all linux users are pricks.


Several million desktops and servers shutting
down every 60 seconds due to the RPC exploit and just how many millions
of e-mails have been due to MyDoom which even requires the user to run
an attachment?
Click to expand...

Ok?
 
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