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Geoffrey wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:1257210228.6827.13.camel@geoffrey-desktop"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">I am a new (2009) user of Ubuntu and I now have an excellent list of
applications making me almost independent of MS Windows. Hooray!
For MS Windows I use a purchased Anti-virus program (AVG). As my use of
the Internet rarely strays into less secure web sites I don't seem to
have a problem with viruses. I scan regularly with AVG of course.
However I don't have an anti-virus program for Ubuntu. Of course I could
use MS Windows for the Internet but, as I am using Ubuntu as a rule,
switching is inconvenient.
I seek the views of members on the need for virus protection using
Ubuntu, and, therefore, any recommended action that I should take.
Thanks,</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
Hi Geoffrey,<br>
<br>
In general Ubuntu is not as susceptible to viruses as Windows, and
viruses for it are very rare. (I've seen only one for Linux live in
the wild in 15 years.)<br>
<br>
The steps i take to protect myself while browsing are:<br>
<ol>
<li>Use a non-default browser (Epiphany) to do my Internet
banking. This ensures that even if my default browser (Firefox) is
compromised, nothing
of critical importance can be stolen. I NEVER browse general sites
with this browser, only my banks, and only via bookmarks which i've
created. This is something that everyone who uses Internet banking
should do, IMO.<br>
</li>
<li>Use NoScript (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://noscript.net/">http://noscript.net/</a>) in Firefox to disable all
scripting languages (Java, Flash, JavaScript) except on sites that i
allow. Highly recommended for all users who can deal with the fact
that some web sites don't work until you take an action in NoScript.
This makes drive-by downloads and the like a much lower likelihood.</li>
<li>Browse through Dan's Guardian content filter, which has an
antivirus plugin. This way my downloads are checked with ClamAV
automatically as i browse. I recommend this if you have a home server
that is easy to configure as a proxy.</li>
</ol>
I also have my systems run a full virus check with ClamAV once a week.
I wrote a little script to do this.<br>
<br>
Hope this helps,<br>
Paul<br>
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