A little confused

[James Takac]

Hi

On Monday 30 August 2010 05:30:03 Ioannis Vranos wrote:
> On Sun, 2010-08-29 at 12:11 -0700, NoOp wrote:
> > On 08/29/2010 11:54 AM, Ioannis Vranos wrote:
> > > Antivirus is not needed in Linux.
> >
> > Please don't start. Also please *read*
> > https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Antivirus
> > <quote>
> > For the most part, Linux is engineered in a fashion that makes it hard
> > for viruses to run (click here for more info). However, there are many
> > reasons you might want a virus scanner on your Linux PC:
> >
> >     * to scan a Windows drive in your PC
> >     * to scan a Windows-based network attached server or hard drive
> >     * to scan Windows machines over a network
> >     * to scan files you are going to send to other people
> >     * to scan e-mail you are going to forward to other people
> >     * some Windows viruses can run with Wine.
> >     * Linux virus infections are theoretically possible
> > <quote>
> >
> > It depends on the environment, and in my case, the first 3 apply.
>
> I am talking about Linux, so only your last asterisk line applies.
>
>
> I am not going to install an antivirus in my Linux host, in case I
> forward some document with virus to some Windows user.
>
> It is their responsibility to have an antivirus on their machines, or to
> change their OS.
>
>
> And the OP was asking for an antivirus on his personal Linux PC, not
> some corporate mail server where Windows users connect to get their
> emails.
>
>
> So I gave the proper short answer, no antivirus is needed in practice.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Ioannis Vranos
>
> C95 / C++03 Software Developer
>
> http://www.cpp-software.net


Whilst it may be their responsibility to check their end it doesn't negate the 
sender's responsibility to check what they send is safe. It'd be like giving 
a poisoned glass of water to a thirsty person and saying they should have 
checked it. Likewise so should you as the one giving it. Responsibility is a 
double edged sword. It's like safety at work which is a far better example. 
Not only is it the employers responsibility to make sure the working 
environment is safe. It's also the worker's responsibility to do so by 
letting the employer know where the problems are and by working in a safe 
manner. There's that double edge again. When either shirks their 
responsibility, that's when most probs will arise

James