Do I need to worry about viruses and defragmentation?

[Michael Haney]

2008/11/4 Dotan Cohen <dotancohen at gmail.com>:
> You do not need to defragment or run a virus checker. Linux systems
> can be compromised, but if you have no open ports then just don't
> install software from questionable sources, and be aware of
> browser-based attacks.
>

There are virus checkers for Linux.  ClamAV is the most notable and
Avast makes a commercial AV program for Linux.  You really shouldn't
have to worry about it though, your chances of running into a Linux
virus out in the wild is tiny.  Only .1% of all the viruses loose on
the Internet affect Linux.  You have a better chance of being hacked
by someone more than you are getting infected by something.  As was
suggested make sure your protocols are properly configured, it
wouldn't hurt to have a properly working firewall, and if you are
using Ubuntu as a desktop system you shouldn't need to be able to
connect to it via SSH.  Install all updates as they come, install only
Firefox add-ons that come from a trusted source, and don't visit
questionable websites.  A good thing to do is look up a site in Google
before you visit it.  Google is very good at flagging sites that are
dangerous, I've seen notices in search queries saying the site could
damage your computer due to detected malware.  A good way to protect
yourself in Firefox is to use AdBlocker Plus and NoScript.

The number one thing to remember is that no OS and no web browser is
100% safe, but there are things you can do to protect yourself to
improve your chances out there.


-- 
Michael "TheZorch" Haney
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