Anti-virus software is dead - use Linux

Comments (11)

1. • qazu

   LOL, then the virus writers can start targetting Linux. Only reasn whey Linux isn't exploited is because of diminished returns, i.e. to few people use it to make finding exploits profitable.

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2. • cartmanxxl

   Linux is too complex but good for wardriving :)

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3. • MarkCarras

   There are more things I like about Ubuntu than I dislike. I truly like it more than my Vista machine. I just wish it had better support for devices like my webcam and my Plantronics headset I bought to use on Skype. Those things do not work on Ubuntu, so I have to keep my laptop as a Vista machine.

   So my thoughts on Ubuntu can be summed up with "Close but no cigar".

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4. • jansie

   i like XP. it's serving me well. i've used ubuntu before. quite impressed by it (and it's not just cos mark is south african hehe...). thing is, i see no point in trying to set up my machine with another system. why do that? why, productivity, of course.

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5. • DarkNemesis618

   While I agree that antivirus software is not really needed on Linux, it could still be something good to have. I know there are some that run on an "on demand" basis meaning that rather than constantly taking up resources (like Symantec, McAfee), they simply run when you want them to....maybe scan once a month or something.

   It may not be 100% neccessary but better safe than sorry...and there are plenty of free Linux (and Windows) antivirus software so you won't have to spend any money either.

   On a side note, I really like where Ubuntu is heading and currently use OS X and Ubuntu as my primary operating systems.

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6. • salex

   they won't go down easily, they'll start writing viruses for linux if enough people start using it.

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7. • Tedel

   Although what you say is true, salex, Linux doesn't write anything to your disk unless you authorize it. Not being root all the time also protects you a bunch. Not to mention that there would have to be viruses for KDE, viruses for Gnome, viruses for XFCE and the like. The risk of "losing it all" just because of a virus under Linux are greatly reduced.

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8. • mattbd

   I use Kubuntu (prefer KDE) but I run KlamAV with it. But to be fair, KlamAV is a lot lighter than the antivirus stuff I use on my Vista laptop.

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9. • bianconeri4ever

   @salex What's wrong with that argument is that no matter how much viruses are written, Linux's inherent design will stop any virus from propagating. The most it would harm is the user's profile and not the whole system....

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10. • bianconeri4ever

    @mattbd Well generally anti-virus programs for Linux is used when you are serving Windows PC's, i.e running a mail server on that Linux box.....

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11. • JustAboutRealJAR

    yup... and I have to tell you backing up and restoring your home folder is one HELL of a lot easier than your entire machine!

    unfortunately your average users are pretty dumb most of the time and they'd end up authorizing lots of viruses to kill their systems... oh well

    I guess we need to start teaching kids to look both ways before they cross the road AND do a (gasp) google search on every non-repository application they want to install

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