Linux Viruses and Malware ?

colinvespa

colinvespa

colinvespa

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From what I understand the biggest advantage of Linux systems is that they are unlikely to be attacked by Viruses and Malware, how much of a threat they really are ?

Are they much of a threat ? I haven't actually seen much in the way of Linux firewalls and anti viruses software.

Hope you can clear that one up and perhaps fill in the gaps for me and for others who are reading this,

Thanks all
 
it's too small a target to make it worth hacking, osx has only started to be hacked with around 20% of the market.

iptables firewall is built in to the kernel but it's text based rules, you can get front ends.
antivirus is available but mostly used to stop passing windows malware around.
 
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Yes, they exist. You need to take the same precautions such as keeping the OS up-to-date and disabling the Java plug-in.

Java is literately write once, exploit everywhere.

The main target at the moment is Linux servers.
 
As deadlite said, its not widely exploited due to the mass majority of users being quite computers savvy, and the lack of actual users in general.

However most exploits that are mass targeted exploit your browser and plugins (Java/flash) so same precautions are required.
 
Too small a target? Total and utter FUD, that for whatever reason is still being banded about as fact. Linux has the largest share of the server market, by quite a margin. Why would you hack Some guys email, when you can hack thousands by compromising one machine?

Linux has its firewall, iptables, built into the kernel itself. It's harder to learn how to use well, but it is very good at its job.

Biggest threats are with Java and Flash. But running the system with good working standards will reduce the threats massively.

Only use root when absolutely necessary, and keep your programs up to date and you will be fine. The various *nix clones are designed from the ground up to contain users, anything nasty should only affect the current user, not the whole system.
 
you can't really count linux machines used as servers. they have web facing services that could be exploited or a targeted attack.

desktop linux would need to be exploited the same way windows and osx would, download a compromised file, browser exploit, java or flash.
 
deadite66 said:
you can't really count linux machines used as servers. they have web facing services that could be exploited or a targeted attack.

desktop linux would need to be exploited the same way windows and osx would, download a compromised file, browser exploit, java or flash.
Click to expand...

Your right. But even then, it is a lot harder in Linux than Windows.

A dodgy file, or exploit in browser/java/flash will have a much harder time breaking beyond the current user in Linux than it will in windows. Of course the biggest worry (at least for me) is the theft of personal data rather than my system getting trashed, so the weakest entry point is the same on any system.
 
All software can be hacked, if you want to be totally secure you need to do what is common practice in spookland. Two non-intercepting networks. That is, one external where you try your best with keeping up with the attacks and one internal network.

SoC
 
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