Security software

[pe1800]

I am growing tired of Windows 7 and thinking of installing PCLinuxOS, Question:

Do I need to install antivirus and/or firewall apps, and, if so, what kind of, free, packages would you recommend?

Thank you for your advice,

pe1800

[Ramchu]

As I understand it there are currently no viruses in the wild for linux at this time.
Having said that;there are anti virus packages in the repo that can be installed through
the synaptic package manager.

PClinuxOS has a firewall application, that you can configure, that can be found under Security
in PCC

[menotu]

I am growing tired of Windows 7 and thinking of installing PCLinuxOS, Question:

Do I need to install antivirus and/or firewall apps, and, if so, what kind of, free, packages would you recommend?

Thank you for your advice,

pe1800

Hi pe1800 - a big welcome to the forum, lovely to have you with us.

In general, Linux isn't really targeted by virus coders but that doesn't mean to say it can't be infected, cause it can but they have more worthwhile targets in Windows, and  (more recenttly) Macs.

There is Clam AntiVirus (an anti-virus toolkit for Unix) in the repositories which can be installed via Synaptic .

A number of users like to scan email/attachments before forwarding the email/attachments on to Windows users as they are most Vulnerable.

PCLinuxOS has a good firewall which can be accessed by going to:

PCC (Configure Your Computer) > Security >> Setup Up Your Personal Firewall.

You may well of read about the all the holes in Java which has made it a big target for the baddies and it is being exploited (dependent on Version and Update number)  therefore if you think you won't need Java/Java Plugins  you may want to consider disabling them

[Phil]

Hi pe1800,

Stop thinking, start doing.

Try PClinuxOS as a "live" system either as a cd or usb. No need to install it, try it first.

Or if you have say Virtual Box installed play with it in there without disrupting your existing system.

Note in linux all software comes via the package manager and is checked, unlike other systems where you hope you install from a trusted place.

When you are ready you can install as a dual boot, best to backup your existing system and keys, just in case.

[Just17]

I am not sure it was made clear in previous posts ....  but ...... 

There are no anti-virus applications designed to catch/delete/whatever viruses for Linux.

Yes there are anti-virus applications that run on Linux which are designed to catch Windows viruses.

Reason:   There are no Linux viruses propagating out there.

That does not mean that there are no 'baddies' at all ........  there are ......  and they are designed to attack specific applications ..... which is why updates are important to keep those applications secure.

All such updates are applied when you upgrade your installation regularly .....  once per week or more recommended.

[dougmack]

There is a security program in the repo called clamav. You should install clamav, clamav-db, clamd, clamtk, and libclamav6.  (Some of them may be marked for install
automatically when you select clamav.)  Then, in a terminal, you run (from root) freshclam.  This is to bring the database up to date.The first time you do, it will tell you
to modify a text file, so you do that by putting a # in front of the word "example" about 3 or 4 lines from the top, and then saving the file. You will find that the GUI
complains about not being up to date, but that doesn't matter--the program will work fine if you always run freshclam before you start it. In a period of a couple of years,
I've only seen it complain once or twice, and it was not a "real" virus. (It also has some test files that it will catch, depending on what you scan.)  But anyway, for peace
of mind, I scan the system once in a while when I think of it.  Can't hurt!

--doug

[parnote]

pe1800,

I will say that in the 6+ years that I've been using Linux exclusively, I've never ran antivirus software -- and have never experienced even a hint of a problem. There's a LOT to be said for the peace of mind knowing that, as a Linux user, you are no longer a target -- like you were when you ran Windows (the most insecure OS ever devised).

So ... my advice ... dig in! You won't regret it!

parnote

[Yankee]

I think wireless wifi is more of a problem.   Could be spies I guess.

Nobody mentioned msec, which is in the PCL Control Center.
Run that for a few months full security and see if you get any
security alerts.   I've turned mine off.

Any website could potentially import something bad, but so far
so good.    If allowed to import anything at all.

Even without "security updates" Linux is very hard to infiltrate
with a virus type program.   If remotely at all possible.

Linux and Mac's are considered virus-free.   Running Windows
as a limited user is even some improvement when running Windows.

So relax about it.

regards,

Y

[johnmart]

I say start with a fresh perspective.
As other posters said viruses inhabit the windows system.
Why carry that baggage over to your Linux experience?
1. Download an iso of your choice:
http://ftp.heanet.ie/pub/pclinuxos/pclinuxos/live-cd/
2. Burn a cd or dvd depending on iso size.
3. Set your bios to boot from optic drive.
4. Boot it & check it out.
Forget viruses - enjoy!
Having fun now?
Then do an HD install or dual boot or in a virtual environment. 
btw....Welcome

[Tony]

I am growing tired of Windows 7 and thinking of installing PCLinuxOS, Question:

Do I need to install antivirus and/or firewall apps, and, if so, what kind of, free, packages would you recommend?

Thank you for your advice,

pe1800

Linux has it's own checks which are carried out periodically, assuring a good chance of not being Hacked, or compomised.
As mentioned earlier Emails can be a vector to try to invade your Linux install, however they won't do anything to your Linux Install, but you might pass it along to your windows buddies, so advisable to scan out of courtesty for them.
But, ... shouldn't win users take care of their own security concerns ?
I say Yes, but heck they need all the help they can get, so ... ?
Personally I wouldn't/don't/unless you really have to; advise Dual booting Windows and Linux on the same Machine.
Put Windows on one machine if you need it. You eliminate all chance of a crossover infection from your Linux to Win partitions, and a whole lot of fuss...

Then again you have to start somewhere with your enevitable change to Linux, from a pure Malware perspective, if you are informed, you can get away with it.
Tutorial to install Avast! Home(Free)for Linux : http://sparewotw.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/avast-antivirus-home-edition-on-pclinuxos-2011-6/ This is for scanning for Windows viruses on a Linux Machine.

If you're running Windows, a Daily 'quick scan' of your Windows Operating System, by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware , as recommended by all verified Malware Removal sites, will keep you informed of your status.
WARNING: Using more Advanced tools, without expert help, will inevitably cause you to break Windows. Really quite complex stuff, I assure you sincerely. Simple enough to ask for help: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
A great site if Infected. http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/ for example, same guy, same standards.
 
Look for MVP and you know you're in a verified site for removing Malware.
Example: http://www.malwareremoval.com/mvpshere.php

Safe Surfing All,

Regards,

Tony
Edited 06 March 2013

[dcwbis]

pe1800
I also got tired of Windows and all of its hassles.  PCLOS has been great for me.  I do need to use windows for work - an accounting application that uses MS SQL Server for the data store.  Not wanting to risk continued infections I installed Win 7 as a virtual machine.  I immediately did an export for backup purposes so I could be confident that I had an infection free copy. If you do find a need to run windows I would give consideration to this method as it will isolate the rest of your system from potential windows based issues.

I have only used PCLOS for 15 months now, but I have not had any security issues during that time.  I personally do not run any antivirus software.  Good luck with your PCLOS experience.  I am sure that you will enjoy it.

[johnmart]

I would be very interested to hear actual experience from PCLOS users who find actual virus/malware on their linux system. I read lots of cautionary posts, but what is the result?
Maybe one of those forum polls.
* Do you use Virus protection?
y/n
* How often do you run it?
* How much time do you spend updating & protecting?
* How many of those boogers did you catch?

my apology for any offence. 

[Tony]

johnmart:

I would be very interested to hear actual experience from PCLOS users who find actual virus/malware on their linux system. I read lots of cautionary posts, but what is the result?

* Do you use Virus protection?
y/n

Yes.

* How much time do you spend updating & protecting?

Update= Approx 1 minute.
Scan = Approx 5 Mins. (/home/user)
How often = Monthly. (Recommend FtNightly, but don't remember to do Scan)

* How many of those boogers did you catch?

Nil.

End of a very boring story 

[dcwbis]

I would be very interested to hear actual experience from PCLOS users who find actual virus/malware on their linux system. I read lots of cautionary posts, but what is the result?
Maybe one of those forum polls.
* Do you use Virus protection?
y/n
* How often do you run it?
* How much time do you spend updating & protecting?
* How many of those boogers did you catch?

my apology for any offence. 

No to the first question.
N/A to the rest.

[johnmart]

johnmart:

I would be very interested to hear actual experience from PCLOS users who find actual virus/malware on their linux system. I read lots of cautionary posts, but what is the result?

* Do you use Virus protection?
y/n

Yes.

* How much time do you spend updating & protecting?

Update= Approx 1 minute.
Scan = Approx 5 Mins. (/home/user)
How often = Monthly. (Recommend FtNightly, but don't remember to do Scan)

* How many of those boogers did you catch?

Nil.

End of a very boring story  

I would be very interested to hear actual experience from PCLOS users who find actual virus/malware on their linux system. I read lots of cautionary posts, but what is the result?
Maybe one of those forum polls.
* Do you use Virus protection?
y/n
* How often do you run it?
* How much time do you spend updating & protecting?
* How many of those boogers did you catch?

my apology for any offence.  

No to the first question.
N/A to the rest.

I rest my case.