AlanHo Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 In a separate thread I mentioned that I have been given an Acer Aspire One netbook which has an Intel Atom CPU, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB solid state hard drive, 3 USB ports, LAN port, SD Card slot and internal Wireless connection. The OS is Linpus Linux Lite v 1.0.7.E. I am a comlete beginner with Linux.It comes loaded with Firefox browser, an Email programme similar to Outlook Express and Open Office.Having now got it running properly I have turned my thoughts to virus protection. On my Vista laptop and Vista Desktop computers I am happy to use Windows Defender, AVG Free V 8.0 and Vista firewall.Do I need anti malware on Linux ? - if so, I would welcome recommendations for free versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 No you dont, as 99.9% of viruses are for Windows, if you were unlucky enough to get a virus it would just wipe the program it was meant for so you would just uninstall it then reinstall it, unless you run as root then you could be in trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 I think that until Linux approaches Windows in popularity, malware specifically for the O/S will be rare.Always remember the ego of virus writers - they want to show their talents off to as many as possible. Linux doesn't do this because it only has a small user base. Same with Mac, PS2, Solaris etc. They are not intrinsically more secure, they just haven't caught the attention of users and, in turn virus writers, in the same way as Mr Gates' efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 While Linux users are inherently safer than their Windows counterparts there are some Linux viruses out there and it only takes the one. There is also the point of view that as a web user an unprotected Linux or Mac user can be an open conduit for windows nasties to anybody else they correspond with. This could lead to a shrinking circle of friends.avast! free for LinuxYour choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrum Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 IDo I need anti malware on Linux ? - if so, I would welcome recommendations for free versions.Not yet...But make sure you have a firewall installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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