spyware in ubuntu?

[Larry Grover]

Charles Malespin wrote:
> Hi all, I have been using ubuntu for the better part of 4 months, and I
> have been doing all the noob things and studying as much as I can about
> ubuntu/linux.  I have read that for all intents and purposes you dont
> need anti virus in linux, but what about spyware protection?  Is there
> something for ubuntu to use and check if you have got spyware? Sorry if
> this seems like a really dumb question,  I am just asking because I
> would rather be safe than sorry.  Thanks, 
> Charles

It's not a dumb question.  You can't keep your system safe if you 
don't undertand it.

I've never heard of any spyware targeting linux, nor any anti-spyware 
programs to protect a linux system.

My understanding is that on a windows systme spyware infestations are 
generally caused by flaws in IE and outlook.  Since microsoft has not 
made these products available for linux you should be safe. :)

To make sure you stay safe, it's a good idea to:

(1) keep your system up to date (with synaptic or apt-get), and make 
sure you have the security repositories in your sources.list (the 
installer should have set this up for you by default)

(2) as much as possible, do things as a regular user, not as root; if 
you activate the root account, don't ever log on as root

These first two will keep you pretty safe by themselves, but it 
doesn't hurt to mention:

(3) don't install/activate any services (like ftp, samba, apache) that 
you don't need or understand; if you decide you really need to run a 
service, be sure you understand the security implications (if you 
don't, ask on this list and be prepared to do some reading).

Have fun & enjoy learning your new system!

Regards,
Larry