[Kuwaiti Kid]

I am told that Linux is not affected by viruses because the system is somewhat protected havng both root and used modes. If this is indeed untrue what anti virus software should I use? Being fairly new to linux I need and anti virus program that is relatively easy to install

[liviu]

Generally depends on the application you use for mail (Sendmail, RMail, Postfix aso).
For instance, if you use Sendmail you can use:
http://home.i.cz/reho//check_virus/

A solution is to find at:
www.freshmeat.net
an antivirus for the specific application you use.

[Whiteskin]

There is not as much of a need to use AV on linux, however, you still need to take your basic security precautions. Use md5 sums to check and make sure all downloads (especially system critical applications) are not compromised, and dont work as root. If you get really paranoid, there is ClamAV, (http://www.clamav.net/), and tripwire, (http://www.tripwire.org/). A lot of linux security is simply common sense.

[Whiteskin]

Oh, and a firewall is a good idea. Guarddog and firestarter will allow you to graphically configure the built in kernel level firewall.

[codejockey]

In fact, Linux does not have many of the security holes built into Windoze and related applications (Outlook Express, Internet Exploder, etc.). However, Linux is still vulnerable to attack -- and your system most definitely can be compromised. It's just more difficult to do. I believe there are few, if any, Linux viruses -- but there are plenty of Linux exploits (buffer overruns, etc.) -- and as long as the setuid program is a feature of Linux, there will be this potential for problems.

You should also consider whether you intend to use your Linux system as a server for Windoze machines, and if so, you may want to consider installing AV software on Linux that will detect viruses in files destined for Windoze machines (email, for example). One product to consider is f-prot, which I believe is still free for Linux use, and of generally excellent quality.

Hope this helps.

[Whiteskin]

Again. I cannot emphasise how much common sense plays into this. There are no dummy "set and forget" av/security tools on linux. You have to work with security. "Security is a Process, not a product."

[lynch]

I'm with whiteskin and codejockey on this one; use common sense on security and use AV for serving mail to windows clients.

Codejockey must have finished his latest walkabout.
Hi, codejockey!
lynch