spyware in ubuntu?
Larry Grover
lgrover at zoominternet.net
Tue Jul 19 12:28:24 UTC 2005
Matthias Heiler wrote:
> Charles Malespin <charles.malespin at gmail.com> writes:
>
>
>>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
>
>
> Yes, there are similar things to spyware under unix. They are called
> "rootkits". This is software hidden on your computer that allows
> people from the internet to log into and use your machine (to sniff
> passwords or send spam mail).
You make a good point. Rootkits can include "spy" function, and it
won't hurt for Charles to check for the presence of a rootkit on his
system.
Still, I doubt that a web page designed to raise an alarm when it's
visited by a system infected with windows spy/adware is going to be
set off by a linux rootkit. I think it's more likely that he hit a
bad web page.
Regards,
Larry
More information about the ubuntu-users
mailing list