linux is the best antivirus
although if you must use windows, I recommend avast, it's freeComputer Science Canada What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
| Author: | BigBear [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 9:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
I recently bought a computer that came with a limited version of Norton which I was told to wait for it to expire before tring to remove it. Well it is now expired and I was wondering what anti virus to use. My Dad bought his computer last Febuary so it is over a year old and he doesn't use an admin account or any AV software or Firewall and has add no problems, He doesn't download anything or use email. We both are behind a physical firewall in our router. So basically is anti virus essential and which to use. |
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| Author: | md [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Antivirus software will not ever work - virus writers have access to it just as easily as anyone else and do check to make sure that their viruses will not be detected. |
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| Author: | apomb [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Mac OSX Ubuntu Arch Linux |
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| Author: | Dusk Eagle [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
apomb @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:51 am wrote: Mac OSX
Ubuntu Arch Linux FIFY. Seriously though, the best way to avoid malware is to not use windows. I recommend going with Linux, specifically Ubuntu/Kubuntu. However, if you insist on using Windows, I'd go with the free version of AVG or Avast. Whatever you do, do NOT go with Norton antivirus. Norton is the virus. |
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| Author: | md [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
apomb @ 2009-04-18, 10:51 am wrote: Mac OSX
Arch Linux BSD T,FTFY |
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| Author: | Dusk Eagle [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Okay, any FOSS OS will do. But I'm not sure how many people jump straight from Windows to BSD... |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
md @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:04 pm wrote: apomb @ 2009-04-18, 10:51 am wrote: Arch Linux BSD T,FTFY |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Dusk Eagle @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:07 pm wrote: Okay, any FOSS OS will do. But I'm not sure how many people jump straight from Windows to BSD... Oooh! Oooh! Me! Me!
I loved PC-BSD. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
linux is the best antivirus although if you must use windows, I recommend avast, it's free |
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| Author: | revangrey [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
AVG is free too, and I use it. never had any trouble with it but you have to be a bit more aware than with some more protective anti-viruses. |
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| Author: | Saad [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
I use is Avast and I'm running Windows. I haven't had any reported viruses, so I'm not sure whether it is effective or not. I think the best anti-virus you can use is education rather then any OS. If you teach someone how to use a computer safely, there is no reason you will be susceptible to a virus. An idiot on Linux is probably more likely to get a virus then someone who uses the computer safely on Windows. |
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| Author: | Dan [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 1:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Gentoo! Tho i have played around with clamav for linux when setting up the compsci.ca servers (to remove viruses from e-mails for windows users :p). |
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| Author: | Insectoid [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
On a similar note, is there a malware-scan tool for Linux? I find scans are more effective when you're scanning from a different drive (i.e plug the drive into another computer and run from there). This way, and start-up viruses won't get to start up, and are far easier to eliminate. Virtumonde and similar malware won't be able to reproduce during scans, and then are even easier to eliminate. Unfortunately, I have only one copy of Windows and so I can't do that. I can do it with Linux, though, if there's a tool... |
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| Author: | Dan [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
I think clamav can be used for that: http://www.clamav.net/ A quick google search also finds: avast: http://www.avast.com Panda Antivirus: http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/linux/linux.asp f-prot: http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/linux/ and others. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
I thought it was impossible to get viruses for linux distro's ? |
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| Author: | Dan [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
saltpro15 @ 18th April 2009, 2:59 pm wrote: I thought it was impossible to get viruses for linux distro's ?
Not impossible, just unlikey. The way most *nix systems are set up with user permisions makes it rather hard to viruses to effect much other then breaking there home directory and running some low level proceses. There are expolites in linux software and even the kernel at times that allow for attacks but they are noramly fixed exteramly fast as any one can view the code and submit a patch and since it's free there is no issue in upgrading other then the effort to do it. Also none windows OSs are less of a target as they are less popular and there users are less likey to fall for some of the tricks they use. This is a bit diffrent for servers tho, there are alot of scripts that try to expolite poorly made web software like phpbb and will inject code in to the server that makes it a zombie and trys to infect other servers and prfomre tasks the botmaster sends. However it is unlikey for most desktop users to be hit with this as they noramly don't run webservers or are as exposed to the out side world. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
alright, thanks for the info Dan. I'm not really worried about a virus anyway, all I use is youtube, consumerist, facebook, and compsci.ca of course |
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| Author: | Dusk Eagle [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
saltpro15, here's an interesting article on "How to write a Linux (well, KDE and GNOME) virus in five easy steps: http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/02/17/1526244. Be sure to read, or at least skim, the first article linked, as that is where the meat of information is at. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
thanks dusk eagle, I have another question though: what kind of Mod Edit: Spoiler tags do not magically turn off the rules of the site. wastes his life writing viruses? what is the point? does he love jail? |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 4:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
saltpro15 @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:50 pm wrote: thanks dusk eagle, I have another question though: what kind of
Mod Edit: Spoiler tags do not magically turn off the rules of the site.
Mod Edit: Spoiler tags do not magically turn off the rules of the site. wastes his life writing viruses? what is the point? does he love jail? Anyways, I usually just use AVG since it's free and hasn't really bothered me yet. |
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| Author: | Analysis Mode [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
avast |
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| Author: | Insectoid [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Saltpro, the idea is to scan a Windows partition from a Linux partition. AT my Co-op, we use mostly Panda Anti-virus, SuperAntiSpyware and Avast!. We also have tools for specific malware, such as SmitfraudFix. |
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| Author: | andrew. [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
On Windows, I use Avast! free. I don't use anything on Mac OS or Linux. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
the tech guys at my dad's store auto-install avast when they fix computer's also |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
found this, I think we can all relate |
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| Author: | andrew. [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
Yeah, I hate Norton. It's way to bloated and slow. My dad still uses it though. |
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| Author: | BigBear [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
So far I am leaning towards using a fire wall and Avira AntiVir |
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| Author: | Analysis Mode [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
my friends tell me Norton has back doors that the US government can take advnatage of. |
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| Author: | saltpro15 [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
now this is just rumor, but some rumors do turn out to be true. I hear Norton has a whole team of people who's job is just to write viruses, constantly, so people are forced to buy their software |
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| Author: | btiffin [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
GNU/Linux to ward of viruses and after locking down the network ports, don't worry too much about it. And there are things in default settings that aren't safe. OpenSSH allows remote login from root, and there are bad guys that will do brute force password attempts on port 22. Simply disallow root login in sshd_config and one major hole in GNU/Linux security is plugged. NAT is your friend, directing root only ports to user space ports. So configure your network to direct port 80 to some port above 1024 and run Apache from a user account ... etc, etc. Spending an afternoon with google and a text editor can make any GNU/Linux system secure enough. So much so, that many ISP and hosting services will alllow shell account logins, trusting the system to keep itself safe, even when you give keys to strangers. When I help friends cleanse their Windows systems I prefer to run ClamWin, it runs for hours, so it's usually an overnight then next day thing with Clam setup up to move to a quarantine directory, just in case). Then Task Manager to list processes and hunt down anything that looks fishy. A very manual end-game process. With the rare potential of advising low level reformat and reinstall from media. Running background scanners just gets in the way, and offers a false sense of security to the average Windows user in my humble. Cheers |
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| Author: | andrew. [ Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
saltpro15 @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:26 pm wrote: now this is just rumor, but some rumors do turn out to be true. I hear Norton has a whole team of people who's job is just to write viruses, constantly, so people are forced to buy their software I would believe that.
btiffin @ Sat Apr 18, 2009 7:50 pm wrote: Running background scanners just gets in the way, and offers a false sense of security to the average Windows user in my humble.
I think it does help. They scan emails, files, and other stuff before you open it. I've found quite a few viruses in various files thanks to the background scanning. |
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| Author: | michaelp [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:What Anti Virus Software do you use? |
I use Avira Antivir. Also use Spybot S&D. |
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