Believe it or not, there are antivirus programs targeted at desktop Linux users. If you have just switched to Linux and started looking for an antivirus solution, don’t bother — you do not need an antivirus program on Linux. There are some situations when running an antivirus on Linux makes sense, but the average Linux desktop isn’t one of them.
A quick look at the Ubuntu repositories shows there are also many antivirus programs and ClamAV plugins that help protect mail servers, web servers, and compressed files. In addition, ClamAV can detect viruses in cross-platform file types such as PDF, Flash, and file archives such as ZIP and RAR, as well as Unix-based ELF executable files.
Do I need antivirus software for Linux?
If you are running a Linux-based file server or mail server, you will probably want to use antivirus software. If you don’t, infected Windows computers may upload infected files to your Linux machine, allowing it to infect other Windows systems. The antivirus software will scan for Windows malware and delete it.
Do linux servers need antivirus?
For this reason, many Linux users have long believed that the OS doesn’t need antivirus software. However, while Linux use on desktops has historically remained at relatively low levels, the inverse is true for servers. Antivirus is necessary for cybersecurity teams that wish to better protect their endpoints.
If you have a server of files or messages or file upload by someone (the upload must be tested/watched by antivirus just the repertory (like clamav)) Don’t imagine Linux like the others OS. On linux, the Antivirus scan such choosen specific repertories not the memory (like ClamAV).
You may be asking “Is Linux Antivirus really worth it?”
It’s no surprise, then, that many IT professionals wonder whether it’s really worth installing antivirus software on their Linux servers. As it turns out, the answer, more often than not, is yes. One reason to consider installing Linux anti virus is that malware for Linux does, in fact, exist.
Can Linux get viruses?
However, you are very unlikely to stumble on — and be infected by — a Linux virus in the same way you would be infected by a piece of malware on Windows. Whatever the reason, Linux malware isn’t all over the Internet like Windows malware is. Using an antivirus is completely unnecessary for desktop Linux users.
How to protect Linux from malware and viruses?
Here are precautions to take to protect your Linux machines from threats such as malware or viruses, Linux user is advised to get trusted software from authorized repositories such as Github. If you are running cross-platform with a windows workstation; make sure to get up-to-date anti-virus software.
Are Linux servers safe?
One more thing to ponder upon is the fact that Linux servers can get hit by malware just like any other server. The desktop version of Linux is highly safe, but the servers can get infected if infected files hit them. This is a simple case that can be fixed very easily in Linux.