Ubuntu security - spyware, viruses, cache cleaning, etc.

[Matthias Heiler]

Marc <for.maillists at gmail.com> writes:

> As a soon-to-be former Windoze user i tried to be strict on security,
> such as installing anti-spyware, anti-virus and cache, history,
> Interent, Windoze cleaning progs. Are any of these types of progs
> needed for Ubuntu (Linux)?

If you really keep your system updated with the latest security
patches you generally won't need anything.

Unlike with Windows, the security patches don't come automagically,
but you have to ask for them: "sudo aptitude update; sudo aptitude
upgrade" on the terminal does the job.

If you don't install security patches frequently enough and if you are
very unlucky someone manages to install a rootkit on your system.
"rootkits" are the Linux equivalent to Windows spyware/viruses.  They
are, right now, by far not as widespread as their windows equivalents.
The program "chkrootkit" scans your computer.  Say "sudo aptitude
install chkrootkit" and read the docu here http://www.chkrootkit.org/

Also recommended, but not available directly in ubuntu, is rootkit
hunter: http://www.rootkit.nl/

Finally, the mini security howto is a bit dated by still a very good
read: http://www.faqs.org/docs/Linux-HOWTO/Security-Quickstart-HOWTO.html

Have fun!

  Matthias