Johnny Andersson wrote: > Just a question for you Linux and Mac guys (I am going to install some kind > of Linux as soon as possible, that's one of the reasons I ask): > Do you really need Antivirus for MacOS and Linux?
While a Linux virus may be technically possible, AFAIK, there's never been a successful one in the wild. There are many reasons why viruses are so common in Windows, but not elsewhere. One is there are many fundamental flaws in Windows that allow a virus to infect a system. Windows was originally created with no concept of security or process protection. Add to that some incredibly stupid decisions, such as embedding the browser in the OS mean that the system is wide open to malware. Incidentally, IE was embedded in the OS, so that MS could claim in court that they couldn't remove IE, without crippling Windows. Further many Windows users run as Admin, simply because a) they don't know better and b) they often have to, to do certain things, such as install apps. Also, some apps require the user to have admin rights. This means that when a virus runs, it has full access to the entire system. On the other hand, with Linux & Unix, the system was designed, from the start, as a multiuser OS, which means that certain protection mechanisms are mandatory. Also, the vast majority of users do not run as root (the Unix/Linux equivalent of administrator), so that should a virus be run, it can't do any damage beyond the user's own files. If root permissions are needed for some function, it is very easy to do only that and then closing down root privileges. For example, if I want to install an application outside of my own directory, I am asked for the root password and then the install proceeds. When it's completed the root permissions end. Another advantage for Linux and other open source software, is that knowledgeable people can examine the code for vulnerabilities and patches created. This is why open source is considered superior to proprietary software, in the security field. As Mac OS is based on BSD Unix, the above applies to it as well. Normally, the only reason for running AV on Linux is when it's used as a file or mail server, for Windows computers. Incidentally, many of those "firewall/router" boxes run on Linux or Unix, because they are secure. > > I have Windows 98 and I am not even sure that I need Antivirus for that. So > far it (AVG) found almost nothing on my PC (AVG updates automatically > almost > every day). The few times it found something, I found it before AVG did > (like in email attachments etc). I just don't open files if I'm not 100% > sure about what it is. But still I run AVG "just in case", but honestly, my > PC is so slow, so I would appreciate running as little as possible in the > background. > > Regards > > > Johnny > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
