Why Linux Does Not Need Antivirus

Linux is a kernel used in an operating system within a Linux Distro. If you are looking for an antivirus in Linux, you might only find a few.

Why aren’t there many antivirus programs on Linux? This is because Linux does not need antivirus.

Only a Few Linux Viruses

The main reason why Linux does not need antivirus is the scarcity of malware for Linux, not that there isn’t any. Unlike Windows viruses, which are very common. Various bad ads will tell you to install software that contains malware, file-sharing sites are also full of viruses and will unknowingly be installed on your Windows. Moreover, pirated programs that are often used by Indonesians will certainly be infected with viruses, at least adware. Thus, Antivirus is very important for the Windows operating system.

Unlike Linux, you are unlikely to get infected in the same way as Windows. For whatever reason, Linux malware is not on the Internet like Windows malware. Using antivirus is not necessary at all for desktop Linux users.

Why is Linux Safer Than Windows?

Here are some reasons why Windows struggles with malware while some malware targets Linux.

• Package Managers and Software Repositories: When you want to install a new program on your Windows desktop, open Google and search for the program. When you want to install most programs on Linux, open the package manager and download from your Linux distribution’s software repositories. These repositories contain trusted software that has been checked by the Linux distribution you installed - users are not used to downloading and running arbitrary software.

• Other Security Features: Microsoft has done a lot of work to fix serious security issues with Windows. Until UAC was introduced with Windows Vista, Windows users almost always used Administrator accounts all the time. Linux users typically use limited user accounts and become root users only when necessary. Linux also has other security features, such as AppArmor and SELinux.

• Market Share and Demographics: Linux has historically had a low market share. It has also been the domain of geeks who tend to be more computer literate. Compared to Windows, it is not a large or easy target.

Stay Safe Using Linux

Although you don’t need antivirus, you should follow some basic security practices, no matter what operating system you use:

• Always Update Your Software: In an era when browsers and their plug-ins - especially Java and Flash - are top targets, it’s important to keep up with the latest security patches. The biggest malware problem on Mac OS X was caused by Java plug-ins. With cross-platform software like Java, the same vulnerability can work on Windows, Mac, and Linux. On Linux, you can update all your software with one integrated update.

• Beware of Phishing: Phishing - the practice of creating a website that pretends to be another website - is as dangerous on Linux or Chrome OS as it is on Windows. If you visit a website that pretends to be your bank’s website and you enter your banking information, you are in trouble. Fortunately, browsers like Firefox and Chrome on Linux have the same anti-phishing filters as on Windows. You don’t need an Internet security package to protect against phishing. (However, keep in mind that phishing filters don’t catch all phishing.)

• Don’t Run Commands You Don’t Trust: The Linux command prompt is very powerful. Before you copy-paste a command you read somewhere into the terminal, you must trust the source. This could be one of the 8 Deadly Commands You Should Not Run on Linux.

When You Need Antivirus on Linux

Antivirus software is not entirely useless on Linux. If you are running a Linux-based file server or email server, you might want to use antivirus software. Otherwise, an infected Windows computer can upload infected files to your Linux machine, allowing it to infect other Windows systems.

Antivirus software will scan for Windows malware and remove it. It does not protect your Linux system - it protects Windows computers from themselves.

Reference: Why You Don’t Need an Antivirus On Linux (Usually) Thumbnail: Technology vector created by macrovector - www.freepik.com