![]() ![]() Virus scanners often issue false warnings. So you don't have to worry about them, either. Virus scanners scan mainly for Windows viruses. The claim of antivirus companies that their products offer some protection against future (as yet unknown) "zero day" attacks is misleading: the antivirus software itself is just as vulnerable to future zero day attacks as the software it claims to protect.įurthermore, antivirus software gives you a false sense of security, which might make you less cautious about installing software from external sources. That's not just theory more about that at the end of section 2 on this page.Īntivirus products can only protect against known threats. And therefore also its attraction as target for people with malicious intentions. ![]() For media players the reverse is true.īecause antivirus can read and open everything, and actually does precisely that during a scan, its potential vulnerability (attack surface) is much bigger. For example: word processors can usually only open document related files, and no mp3 music files. Unlike ordinary applications, which can only read and open certain specific file types. Because every kind of file can theoretically contain a virus. This makes AV software an ideal target for hackers.Īntivirus applications have been designed to read and open as many file types as possible. Antivirus introduces a dangerous vulnerabilityįurthermore, antivirus (AV) software sometimes even actively endangers your system: Because AV has by definition high permissions on the system and because it's often inadequately protected against hacking. (The exception is viruses targeted at Linux web servers, but securing web servers is quite a different cup of tea.)ī. More than that, there are no Linux viruses or rootkits "in the wild" for end users like yourself. If you only install software from the secured official "software store" (software repositories) of your Linux distribution, then that's a very effective barrier against malware. Which means you could execute it accidentally by double-clicking it, after all. tar.gz) it does not require to be made executable first. Note: There is an important exception: when you extract a script from an archive (for example with the extension. When you double-click such a script file, you'll get to see the following dialog window:Īs you can see, "Cancel" has been preselected, in order to prevent accidental execution. Any script that you download, is not executable: you have to set the executable bit of the script yourself, by hand. Or in case it's malware ( a script) that can execute itself in your home directory without password: you'll have to make it executable first. In order to install itself on your computer, a virus or rootkit needs your password. Below I'll explain why I'm against installing antivirus and rootkit removers.Ī virus or rootkit can't install itself in Linux unless you let it. What's more, those applications even decrease your security(!). You don't need any antivirus software or rootkit removers (such as chkrootkit and rkhunter) in your Linux Mint or Ubuntu. ![]() Want a bit more information? A brief explanation about viruses, firewalls and exploits:Īntivirus Software and Rootkit Removers: Both Unnecessary and Harmfulġ.1. Don't install Windows emulators like Wine.ĭo that, and then: relax, you're running Linux. Don't install antivirus (yes, really!). Only install software from the official software sources of Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Install updates as soon as they become available. A Frenchman would say: c'est la vie (In English: that's life, but it sounds so much better in French).Īn extremely short summary of the best security practice in Linux Mint is this: A certain amount of risk, however small, is unavoidable. You should always use your common sense that's your best protection.Īnd even then it can go wrong. Not even when your computer is running Linux. Not in real life and not in the digital world. First of all: you'll never be able to achieve 100 % security. But why is that? And how do you maintain and improve their high level of security? That's what I'll try to explain below.ġ. Linux Mint and Ubuntu are very secure much more secure than Windows. Create and Remember a Secure Password Easily Disable Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) in Your Router Securing your Wireless Network in the Right Way Red Herring Alert: False Alarm by systemd Be Careful with Unofficial Repositories and. Misconception: Protection of Windows Users Background Information: The Full Story about Antivirus Vulnerabilities: No Big Problem if Fixed Quickly Firewall: Turning it On, Checking its Status and Disabling it Antivirus Software and Rootkit Removers: Both Unnecessary and Harmful Latest update for this article: July 10th, 2023. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |