Ubuntu Security

Agent0range · 16 Feb 2008 at 22:21

I've just got my copy of Ubuntu up and running on my laptop and I've been wondering if I need any additional security apps like anti-spyware/virus or maintenance apps like defraging or HDD cleanup like CCleaner? The only app I see is a firewall in the Add/Remove window - what additional apps would my fresh copy of ubuntu need?

Cheers

growse · 16 Feb 2008 at 22:37

Anti-spyware: I don't think there is any spyware for linux out there - certainly not enough to warrant someone writing anti-spyware for it.

Anti-virus: clamd exists, but this tends to be used on mailservers for scanning incoming mail. I'm not sure there's a desktop client out there, but happy to be proven wrong.

Defrag: Sensible filesystems like ext3 don't need defragging, afaik.

HDD cleanup: Synaptic can handle purging the temporary files downloaded in the process of installing new things. I don't have it in front of me, but there's certainly a switch in apt to purge all temporary and downloaded files. Otherwise, you can just clean out old items in /tmp every once in a while, and all will be grand.

brummie · 16 Feb 2008 at 22:49

growse said:
Anti-virus: clamd exists, but this tends to be used on mailservers for scanning incoming mail. I'm not sure there's a desktop client out there, but happy to be proven wrong.

there are a few. Avast being the one i last used but dont bother now as i dont really care for windows users anymore tbph

GraemeUK · 16 Feb 2008 at 23:38

Have a good read of this:

http://www.itsecurity.com/features/ubuntu-secure-install-resource/

Should help you out if you want to be really secure.

EDIT: This too: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

GarethDW · 17 Feb 2008 at 11:29

defrag isn't necessary on an ext3 drive