Best free firewall and antivirus for Linux?

kido_2

I am using ubuntu and i have no need for anti-virus or firewall.I think Linux is the most secure operating system

superscaper

kido wrote: »

I am using ubuntu and i have no need for anti-virus or firewall.I think Linux is the most secure operating system

Not for server operating systems.

bat999

superscaper wrote: »

Not for server operating systems.

Fair enough, but way off topic.
The OP's question is about an Acer notebook.
:rolleyes:

superscaper

bat999 wrote: »

Fair enough, but way off topic.
The OP's question is about an Acer notebook.
:rolleyes:

But as I said it's demonstrative that any Linux operating system isn't as secure as people make it out to be. :rolleyes:

Old_Sherlock

Linux is the most secure operating system

Yes youre spot on there ..

However as with all operating systems , it is only as secure as the end user.

Malware writers will exploit any holes in any system that is not protected.

How many users will grant access to the root directory/subdirectories without knowing the exact contents of that file ?

What about cross platforming ,infected binaries and macro attacks remember open office ?

With the rise of cheap Netbooks ,their portability (i cafes ect )
and new users to the O/S , I would excpect to see a small rise this year in
malware outbrake`s amongst Linux users.


However I do use Linux often and and enjoy using it a lot , but will not become complacent where personal data is concerned.

fermi

Errr..............

I think the OP was asking whether they needed to worry about security software on that machine.

While is has been pointed out (rightly) that nothing is 100% safe, here some basic precautions are all that is necessary.

spud17

I dual boot, XP and Mint.
I have personal data on XP, if I'm just on here or email then I use Mint with no AV.
I look on it as a parallel to sandboxie.
Also I'm careful to avoid cross contamination if I do download anything, by putting it on flash drive and scanning before allowing near XP.
Any problems with Mint, then its half an hour to reinstall, and half an hour updating.

superscaper

fermi wrote: »

Errr..............

I think the OP was asking whether they needed to worry about security software on that machine.

While is has been pointed out (rightly) that nothing is 100% safe, here some basic precautions are all that is necessary.

Exactly, simply assuming something is secure and can be forgotten about is a "dangerous" road of thinking to go down. You still need to use common sense and all the normal everyday precautions (opening attachments, downloading unknown files). It's not just the operating system but the programs and scripts installed on it that can also be exploited. Personally I'd install antivirus on any linux system, we've been stung in the past in malicious script going undetected.

Unstoppable_2

A reality check.

Yes there are viruses out there that target Linux. Yes you can get infected. The main difference is the fact that there are usually 2-3 steps you need to perform to get infected rather than just visiting a website and that because not all distributions are the same as other ones, it's a lot harder to do.

Lady_K

superscaper wrote: »

Exactly, simply assuming something is secure and can be forgotten about is a "dangerous" road of thinking to go down. You still need to use common sense and all the normal everyday precautions (opening attachments, downloading unknown files). It's not just the operating system but the programs and scripts installed on it that can also be exploited. Personally I'd install antivirus on any linux system, we've been stung in the past in malicious script going undetected.

So do you think its ok to just instal an antivirus and keep the inbuilt firewall as it is then?

I don't think she will do the avast scan manually, I use avast myself but perhaps for her it would be better to use one that runs at a set time everyday. Which would you recommend?