> So even if it was to the outside world I wonder if the MF could pick up a virus meaning > under the Linux is z/VM which is RACF controlled etc. Im just wondering is it worth trying > to make and run and what is it really protecting the Linux file system?
If you run the Linux guest as a class G user (recommended -- more privileges are NOT necessary), then you're in a sealed box you can't get out of, and there is zero possibility of doing harm to the other virtual machines by memory corruption, etc. Network DOS attacks can happen, but that's a whole different class of intrusion. Obviously Windows-oriented attacks cannot work. One idea that just occurred to me: if the Linux instance is acting as a file server for Windows clients, an infected client machine can use it's access to stored data on the Linux guests to corrupt other stored files, spreading the infection to other client machines indirectly. Having a virus scanner as part of Samba or other services will allow the Linux guest to alert automation on the mainframe to cut off or limit the damage.
