Ubuntu users - Do you use anti-malware?

[Smurfy]

I'm new to Ubuntu, and wondering if I ought to install an anti-malware package.

As far as I can see, six of the seven reasons to install anti-malware relate to administrating ones own Windows systems, or protecting other Windows users!

If I must have anti-malware, which is the best for Ubuntu?

 

[Jimmy Doug]

No, it's not necessary. I've been using Linux for 6 years now and haven't once had a virus or any kind of malware. The only time that I would consider an anti-virus would be if a Windows user could get a virus from me that doesn't affect Linux. A couple of years ago, there was a virus that spread around our school via USB sticks. The students would insert their stick in the (windows) computer and then transfer the virus to others. As for myself, the virus couldn't affect my computer, but my USB stick could infect another Windows machine. But as Linux software is installed via package managers, as Linux has a very strict security policy, and practically all viruses are written for Windows anyway, I don't worry about it. It's so nice to have a computer that stays responsive and clean and doesn't require periodic virus checks, disk defrags, malware verifications and the like!

 

[Smurfy]

No, it's not necessary. I've been using Linux for 6 years now and haven't once had a virus or any kind of malware. The only time that I would consider an anti-virus would be if a Windows user could get a virus from me that doesn't affect Linux. A couple of years ago, there was a virus that spread around our school via USB sticks. The students would insert their stick in the (windows) computer and then transfer the virus to others. As for myself, the virus couldn't affect my computer, but my USB stick could infect another Windows machine. But as Linux software is installed via package managers, as Linux has a very strict security policy, and practically all viruses are written for Windows anyway, I don't worry about it. It's so nice to have a computer that stays responsive and clean and doesn't require periodic virus checks, disk defrags, malware verifications and the like!

That's a nice positive story. Probably revealing my ignorance, but how would you know if you have a linux virus or not without using detection software?

Do you restrict yourself to packages available from the Ubuntu software centre? So far I only have one package that is not from there (Remastersys).

Also, do you have the firewall enabled? I have just run
'sudo ufw status'
and it says
'inactive'
which must be the default status when Ubuntu is installed, because I haven't switched it off.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

That's a nice positive story. Probably revealing my ignorance, but how would you know if you have a linux virus or not without using detection software

I have installed anti-virus software to verify that I'm clean - every time I've run them I've had zero viruses found. Also, well you know when you've got stuff, don't you? Your computer slows to a crawl and starts doing funny stuff. Nothing like that has happened to me since 2006 - the year I first started experimenting with Linux.

Do you restrict yourself to packages available from the Ubuntu software centre? So far I only have one package that is not from there (Remastersys)

Yes, mostly - it's the best way of assuring the packages are clean and will work properly with your system. However, not everything is available via the software centre, so if I really want it I will go get it elsewhere.

Also, do you have the firewall enabled? I have just run
'sudo ufw status'
and it says
'inactive'
which must be the default status when Ubuntu is installed, because I haven't switched it off.

I believe the firewall is not enabled by default. I have never turned it on; but I don't know how safe/unsafe it is leaving it. I think you'd best go to a Ubuntu forum to get advice from a real expert on this.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The only security I use is No Script, Better Privacy and Ghostery, I'm on Lubuntu 12.10, the security I use is mainly aimed at controlling scripts and cookies, I also have Fire Fox set to remove all history when it is closed down. I've never felt the need to have an anti-virus installed. I always try and get my software from the Package Manager, but if its not there I have a couple of sites I feel I can trust and I might use the developers own page, again if I feel I can trust it.

 

[Seryth]

Using an AV on any Linux distro is silly; if you don't know what sort of things you have to do to obtain virus', you probably shouldn't be using Linux . I switched to Ubuntu when I was 13, now I'm 16 and run Debian (dual booting with Windows for win compatability) on my desktop and Archlinux on the old laptop I was given. I've never, *ever* had one virus on Linux.
You just have to be sensible; don't run any binaries/jar files/scripts without knowing what they're going to do, install programs from your distro's repository if you can, if not find a legitimate source for it. Don't accept cookies from dodgy websites, and clear your browser cache every day. (Every browser I've ever used -a lot- have had a setting to clear the cache when the browser is shut).
Hope this helps.

 

[Smurfy]

I have installed anti-virus software to verify that I'm clean - every time I've run them I've had zero viruses found. Also, well you know when you've got stuff, don't you? Your computer slows to a crawl and starts doing funny stuff. Nothing like that has happened to me since 2006 - the year I first started experimenting with Linux.

Yes, mostly - it's the best way of assuring the packages are clean and will work properly with your system. However, not everything is available via the software centre, so if I really want it I will go get it elsewhere.

I believe the firewall is not enabled by default. I have never turned it on; but I don't know how safe/unsafe it is leaving it. I think you'd best go to a Ubuntu forum to get advice from a real expert on this.

Thanks for the advice Jimmy. I shall install Clam so that I have it handy for USB sticks and the occasional scan on my system. The major email providers employ scanners, so the threat from email should be extremely low.

I'm a total beginner on this, but the firewall appears to be for enabling ports in server applications, so I shall leave it alone.

The only security I use is No Script, Better Privacy and Ghostery, I'm on Lubuntu 12.10, the security I use is mainly aimed at controlling scripts and cookies, I also have Fire Fox set to remove all history when it is closed down. I've never felt the need to have an anti-virus installed. I always try and get my software from the Package Manager, but if its not there I have a couple of sites I feel I can trust and I might use the developers own page, again if I feel I can trust it.

Thanks Dave, I'll check out No Script, Better Privacy and Ghostery.

Using an AV on any Linux distro is silly; if you don't know what sort of things you have to do to obtain virus', you probably shouldn't be using Linux . I switched to Ubuntu when I was 13, now I'm 16 and run Debian (dual booting with Windows for win compatability) on my desktop and Archlinux on the old laptop I was given. I've never, *ever* had one virus on Linux.
You just have to be sensible; don't run any binaries/jar files/scripts without knowing what they're going to do, install programs from your distro's repository if you can, if not find a legitimate source for it. Don't accept cookies from dodgy websites, and clear your browser cache every day. (Every browser I've ever used -a lot- have had a setting to clear the cache when the browser is shut).
Hope this helps.

Thanks Seryth, I will look into my Firefox settings and try and find the setting for deleting cache and cookies on shutdown. I only have one non-repository package (Remastersys). I'll try Ubuntu Customisation Kit to see if it can do the same thing as Remastersys. I've only been using Ubuntu for a few days, when I've worked out exactly what to do, how to use it and how to keep it secure I intend to re-install, so that I have a totally clean system.