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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Do you use an antivirus? Why, or why not? (lemmy.kde.social)

submitted 1 year ago by tubbadu@lemmy.kde.social to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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With the increase popularity of the linux desktop and the steamdeck, will new viruses and malwares be developed for linux systems? should we better use an antivirus?

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[–] Fryboyter@discuss.tchncs.de 24 points 1 year ago

Virus scanners only detect a fraction of the harmful programmes.
Virus scanners can often be tricked.
Virus scanners often have security vulnerabilities themselves, which are usually quite serious, since such programmes embed themselves quite deeply in the operating system.
Virus scanners cause many users to become careless because they rely too much on such tools.

Therefore, from my point of view, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Therefore, I do not have such a tool permanently installed, neither under Linux nor under Windows. However, every 6 months I scan my Windows installation with a USB-bootable virus scanner. No actually harmful programme has been found for years.

In my opinion, the following things are much more important than any security software.

Install updates as soon as possible. Under Windows, you can use tools like Chocolatey for this.
Only install software from trustworthy sources.
Only install software that you really need.
Only use root or administrator rights if you have to. For everything else, the rights of the user account are sufficient.
Create backups regularly.
Think before you act.

Especially the last point is a problem for many users. I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed someone receiving an alleged invoice from mobile provider A by email and opening it, even though they had a contract with provider B.