New to Linux - security needed?

SazM030306

I've got an Acer Aspire One netbook with Linux and I was wondering if I need any security and if so what? I don't know anything about Linux, is there anything special I need to know?!!

Thanks, Saz x

Pssst

Yes,create a USER account and always log on with that user account. Never log on as ADMIN or ROOT when using your computer unless you have a good reason to. Other than that,dont bother with any security. I dont.

gaming_guy

Pssst wrote: »

Yes,create a USER account and always log on with that user account. Never log on as ADMIN or ROOT when using your computer unless you have a good reason to. Other than that,dont bother with any security. I dont.

in most of the linux distros i have used, they prevent you from logging in as root unless you manually enable the root account

epz_2

gaming_guy wrote: »

in most of the linux distros i have used, they prevent you from logging in as root unless you manually enable the root account

I hate sudo with a passion but yeah for newbies its a nice way to stop them doing anything daft.


The reason linux is much more secure by default is the system of user accounts and read/write/exicute permissions.

Basicly if as a windows op I click yes to view an email from an unknown source a virus can take over my system, as a linux user the root account is god and the users dont have permission to touch its binaries so cant mess it up.

bat999

Perhaps the OP was thinking more about an antivirus program and a firewall when (s)he said 'security'.

If so, then the answer is probably 'No'.
Because viruses are designed to infect Windows operating systems and they don't harm Linux.
And Linux has a built-in firewall already.
:cool:

davidlizard

I run Linux (opensuse) and do use an email virus scanner (Sophos) generally so any emails I receive from Windows users which may contain viruses (virii?) as an attachment are detected, so I will not pass them on to another Windows user, and get the blame for sending them a virus (despite of course never opening the attachment on my PC).

As part of my job, I do a lot of email forwarding to clients and contractors.

I use a hardware firewall (part of the router), and rarely ever stray into the root account.

elvch01

I think DavidLizard has the balance about right. The security model of Unix/Linux means that unless you use the root account, opening an infected email is unlikey to cause damage (most viruses are aimed at Windows), but it is wise to have a virus scanner anyway.

The main vulnerability in Unix/Linux Systems is attacks made against server programs such as web servers (Apache/PHP) proxies (squid) & email servers (sendmail, postfix etc), but if you are not running any of these type of services, your broadband router's default firewall settings will almost certainly protect you from such attacks.

http://www.cybersoft.com/whitepapers/papers/print/networks_print.html gives a nice briefing on Unix/Linux Viruses but bear in mind that the authors have a vested interest since they make security software

In my 20+ years of professional Unix experience, the last major attack that caused me a problem was the Morris Worm in 1988 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_worm which served as a wake up call to the Unix communiuty (Linux was not invented at that time).

SazM030306

Thank you for all of your replies, yes I was meaning anti virus type stuff LOL, That's cleared it up for me cheers xxx