6 replies to this topic

[Man_Beach]

I'm currently using IE5.5 and Windows 98SE but am going to put together a new computer soon & don't want to use either an old operating system or Windows XP (I have to use it at work, & I hate it), so I'm considering going the Linux route (Mandrake 10.00).

I've heard that Linux is less vulnerable to viruses than Windows, but presume that some sort of virus protection is still needed. But what about security against other nasties? What is needed? I know nothing about Linux & security issues that might affect it.

I currently use Zonealarm, AVG (free) & SpyBot S&D, AnalogX Cookie Wall to manage my cookies & occasionally run BHODemon.

Any advice would be welcome.

Edited by Man_Beach, 02 July 2004 - 06:40 AM.

[Mike]

Keep it up to date with the security patches (Mandrake has an updater built in) and use FireFox or Opera. I couldn't tell you about antivirus or firewalls. I haven't been using Linux very long myself.

[Freebird]

I'm currently using IE5.5 and Windows 98SE but am going to put together a new computer soon ....

I've heard that Linux is less vulnerable to viruses than Windows, but presume that some sort of virus protection is still needed. But what about security against other nasties? What is needed? I know nothing about Linux & security issues that might affect it.

First off, just a strong suggestion, but you should really upgrade to IE6 and apply all patches and Service packs that apply to your system, it will make your life (with Windows) easier. I run 98SE also, and believe me, you need to do this.

Then dump IE, and start using Firefox: http://texturizer.ne...x/download.html

Back to the matter in hand.

Linux, like almost all open-source products benefits from not being mainstream. When that changes - and it will - Linux, like Mozilla will come under attack. The saving grace is, that because it is 'open-source', there is no central approach, no 'corporate product', and, by definition, any attack on a Linux system must be addressed to a particular Linux OS, and not Linux systems as a whole.

Also, because the Linux OS is in continual development, the virus/hacker writers are playing a game of 'catch-up'. How do you code for a system that is constantly changing? You could argue that the development of Linux (and other open-source software) mirrors the virus/hackers approach - trying to find new and smarter ways to do something.

Use your normal AV/Anti-Spyware products until further notice, or until MS goes bankrupt.

[Man_Beach]

Don't look at this site that often now as I've gone over to Linux completely. For the benefit of others who may do a search for Linux, here's what I've found.

I eventually settled on SuSE 9.1 - It has a firewall built in. I just set it up with the wizard and that's it.

Spyware seems to be unknown in the Linux community, but there is a cookie manager built in. When you go to a site you're asked if you want to accept cookies from that site or not.

Viruses that affect Linux are virtually unknown but it is possible to forward a windows virus on to another windows user, even if it doesn't affect you. F-Prot seems to be the anti-virus of choice to stop this happening.

[Gwyrox732]

SuSE is very nice, that's what I use. I just hope you got pro as opposed to personal - personal doesn't come with the gcc for some reason and it's missing a few other things. If you did get personal, my best advice is to hook YaST up to the SuSE Pro ftp and do the "YOU" (YaST Online Update), then your machine will be in perfect working order. Also, I hope you aren't using Konqueror as a browser just get Firefox if you don't have it already.

[balg]

just additional info for those who want to use open source software...
u can download a whole set of open source software for both windows and linux here

http://theopencd.sunsite.dk/

it includes software like open office, mozilla, putty, pdf creator etc

[crondaily]

Here's some "scanners" for linux that I know of:

http://www.rootkit.nl/
http://www.chkrootkit.org/

I use http://www.rootkit.nl/ on a regular basis on Fedora Core based web servers.