Linux: Virus effecting Linux

RE: Virus effecting Linux

While it is possible to get a virus on Linux, if you follow proper process for testing files and using your OS it is nearly impossible that such a virus would have a similar impact on your Linux system as it would on a Windows system. Linux doesn't, by default, give many permissions to a general user. You can execute files but generally you can not modify files outside your home directory. A good plan then is to have an account where you test new files that you are unsure of before opening them with either your personal account or your root account. This way you can see that no harm will come to your system by using the file.

I have been using Linux since late in 1991 (yes I used pre 1.0 kernels), and in all that time I have never been infected with any type of worm or virus on my Linux systems. I have also never been infected on my Windows systems but that was because the AntiVirus software always caught the problem before it affected my machine.

If you have concerns or want to take extra precautions follow the advice already given and install a Linux AntiVirus package just to be safe.