[nietsloh]

My WinXP computer recently caught a nasty virus. No anti-virus/anti-spyware programs could help. (I just reformatted the drive and did a fresh install.)

But what if I had had a dual-boot setup, with WinXP and Ubuntu. Could I have booted into Ubuntu and had a virus program (running under Ubuntu) take care of my issues, even though the files infect were Windows-related?

Just curious.

[lotuseclat79]

It is important to remember that an AV program built to detect and identify virus signatures in a Linux environment may not be what is most desirable for a Windows environment.

That said, it is possible to run Windows executables in a Wine subenvironment running under Linux, but I do not know if the program can be directed to scan another partition for the Windows environment. I suspect there is a way to do it, but since I live in a Live CD environment with 1GB of RAM and a very restrictive iptables firewall - I have no need to do so to date.

In an Ubuntu Live CD environment, while right-clicking on a link, I can invoke a Dr. Web scan from my Firefox browser version 2.0.0.11 that will scan the linked webpage. Note: Dr. Web scanning from Firefox is a Firefox extension add-on.

-- Tom

[MaidenFan]

Avast have a dedicated Linux version of their antivirus which should run native.

If you were to dual-boot Windows and Linux and mount the Windows partition, it should be able to scan it for you.

[CouchMaster]

You could also run one of the many online virus scanners via Linux for the mounted XP partition.

[RobLinux]

Running under Linux, a program could theoretically detect and fix a virus infection. But, would it be able to do a better job, than running some Virus cleanup program which boots from CD / removeable disk, rather than the master harddisk?

So practically, economic issues come in to play, how does an AV company ensure that virus clean up is 100%? What are the consequences of missing something, and how much market demand would their be for such softare.

The real solution to viruses, is to run software that doesn't catch them, that limits their spread and takes security seriously. Some ppl trust proprietary software and swear by M$ Windows, but YMMV! (Your Mileage May Vary)

[veribaka]

Originally Posted by RobLinux

Running under Linux, a program could theoretically detect and fix a virus infection. But, would it be able to do a better job, than running some Virus cleanup program which boots from CD / removeable disk, rather than the master harddisk?

Sorry for a little offtopic:

Which programs would do that?

[RobLinux]

It's how you'ld have to write a real Virus Decontamimation program, whether current Windows anti-Virus have such features I have no idea.

But anti-Virus is fundamentally broken. Prevention is the answer.

The best prevention is not to run Windows, and that is all I feel able to recommend.

[lotuseclat79]

AV prgrams for M$ come in two flavors:
1) signature based (most AVs are), and
2) heuristic or non-signature based (NOD32 is an example of a heuristic AV).

AS like Webroot's SpySweeper (paid) would probably be needed for M$ or at least Spybot S&D which is free.

Also, a very good firewall, like Outpost (paid) or ZoneAlarm (free).

The point is you would usually have to pay for at least one of them while if you know how to work Linux/Unix you can remain relatively very secure without paying the extra cost in $$.

-- Tom

[veribaka]

I use Windows XP rather frequently on my PC, and honestly it mostly comes down to the use of the computer. Depends on the websites you visit, programs you install/use, etc. Currently I use Kaspersky, Spybot S&D and no firewall.

[zchenyu]

Originally Posted by veribaka

I use Windows XP rather frequently on my PC, and honestly it mostly comes down to the use of the computer. Depends on the websites you visit, programs you install/use, etc. Currently I use Kaspersky, Spybot S&D and no firewall.

Very true, though I still switching to Linux would be much, much safer (better safe than sorry).

[tomdkat]

The other thing to consider is the current state of writing to NTFS filesystems in a Linux environment. I know it's possible to write to NTFS filesystems and probably safely in a lot of cases but everytime I see any app relating to writing to NTFS, using caution is always advised in flashing neon lights and letters.

Assuming you DO get some kind of virus scanner running on Linux that can scan a Windows partition, could it safely clean any viruses found without trashing the Windows partition? I would imagine a FAT32 filesystem could be more safely cleaned "with confidence" than a NTFS filesystem.

Peace...