Most of us grew up with Windows and with Windows an antivirus is not just a good thing to have, but it is a necessity. But as you are currently reading this post you have most probably just moved to Ubuntu, well most probably, and getting acquainted with this exciting and great operating system.
I am glad to let you know that you do not really need an antivirus for Linux, even though there are great anti-viruses out there. You can find links to them at the end of the article. But there is a catch!
If you do a quick Google search you found to find out that there are viruses for Linux, not as many as for Windows, because Windows have more users and the market for computer attacks are much bigger. So it does not mean that there are not viruses, but Linux has a different way of protecting systems from viruses.
When a virus is being released against Ubuntu, many smart people in the community looks for a patch, to fix the vulnerability and as soon as a patch are found it is sent to the developers, who will test it out and when it is approved, it is sent out as an update to Ubuntu systems.
Please note that I do not say that Ubuntu has a build in Antivirus and that the updates include signatures for viruses. I am saying that when a vulnerability are revealed, like recent Dirty Cow, Ubuntu will send up an update to your computer which will be a patch and prevent the Dirty Cow from infiltrating your computer.
So to protect your Ubuntu system from viruses and vulnerability it is vital that you keep your system up to date and run a version of Ubuntu which is still supported.
So to summarize, there are antiviruses out there for Ubuntu and a person can install them, but if you have a Ubuntu version which is supported and install updates when available, then you should be fine!
Ps. Antiviruses are great when you try to clean a Windows hard drive which is filled with viruses and malware, but that is for another article.
Ps. Please note, that this is my opinion and I am open for correction, where and if needed!
Comodo for Ubuntu: https://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/antivirus-for-linux.php
ESET NOD32 for Ubuntu: https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus-linux/
ClamAV for Ubuntu: http://www.clamav.net/
I am glad to let you know that you do not really need an antivirus for Linux, even though there are great anti-viruses out there. You can find links to them at the end of the article. But there is a catch!
If you do a quick Google search you found to find out that there are viruses for Linux, not as many as for Windows, because Windows have more users and the market for computer attacks are much bigger. So it does not mean that there are not viruses, but Linux has a different way of protecting systems from viruses.
When a virus is being released against Ubuntu, many smart people in the community looks for a patch, to fix the vulnerability and as soon as a patch are found it is sent to the developers, who will test it out and when it is approved, it is sent out as an update to Ubuntu systems.
Please note that I do not say that Ubuntu has a build in Antivirus and that the updates include signatures for viruses. I am saying that when a vulnerability are revealed, like recent Dirty Cow, Ubuntu will send up an update to your computer which will be a patch and prevent the Dirty Cow from infiltrating your computer.
So to protect your Ubuntu system from viruses and vulnerability it is vital that you keep your system up to date and run a version of Ubuntu which is still supported.
So to summarize, there are antiviruses out there for Ubuntu and a person can install them, but if you have a Ubuntu version which is supported and install updates when available, then you should be fine!
Ps. Antiviruses are great when you try to clean a Windows hard drive which is filled with viruses and malware, but that is for another article.
Ps. Please note, that this is my opinion and I am open for correction, where and if needed!
Comodo for Ubuntu: https://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/antivirus-for-linux.php
ESET NOD32 for Ubuntu: https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus-linux/
ClamAV for Ubuntu: http://www.clamav.net/
Do we still need AntiVirus protection? http://prewired.co.ke/2015/10/are-AV-still-useful.html
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