Question

How to protect a Linux based laptop

Asked by: fea

I am new to Linux and guess the required protections are the same, i.e.:
- A firewall. Zone Alarm being not Linux compatible, I'll be happy to have suggestions
- An antivirus. AVG for Linux not being free, here again I'd love to read suggestions
- An anti spyware: Ad-Aware being not Linux compatible, here again some ideas are welcome.

Thanks!

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Asked On
2007-06-03 at 14:59:35ID22610077
Tags

how

,

laptop

Topics

Anti-Virus

,

Linux Network Security

,

Mandrake Linux

Participating Experts
7
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: griesshPosted on 2007-06-03 at 16:10:55ID: 19205211

1) Mandrake comes with a firewall, so need to search for one.
2) Although it is less likely to catch a virus under Linux, ther are free antivirus versions available (I haven't tried them myself)
PandaSOftware is known in the M$ community, they offer their antivirus program as freeware without any support: http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/linux/linux.asp
Another option woul be ClamAV (which is Open Source) http://www.clamav.net
3) I am not aware that ther is any antispyware sofwtare available.

Usually you don't need Antvirus or Antispyware programs on your system, due to the design of the OS. A well built firewall and some good practices for security should be enough to keep your sytem healthy.

=====
Werner

 

by: routinetPosted on 2007-06-03 at 21:55:53ID: 19206228

Most Linux distributions include built-in firewall functionality.  For example, editing your tcp rules will allow you to block ports (or certain traffic), either by IP or net-wide.  

ClamAV seems to be a popular choice for anti-virus (I run it myself for my mail servers), and is relatively easy to install.  I've used Avast on Windows, but I'm not sure if they make a Linux version for it.  

As posted by griessh, there's very little need for anti-spyware on Linux.  I would venture to guess that most Linux boxes spend a rare amount of time in the graphical desktop, and those that do are manned by users who practice safe browsing like they practice breathing.

 

by: giltjrPosted on 2007-06-04 at 17:46:02ID: 19213447

This shows there is a free version of AVG for Linux:

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free


There is also avast:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-for-linux-workstation.html

As for AdWare, if you are using Firefox you may want to look at:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

Supposed to block ads.

 

by: uetian1707Posted on 2007-06-05 at 01:54:30ID: 19215525

Hi,

Refering to your queries:

1- Although Iptables is good firewall but I have used APF (Advanced Policy Firewall and it is simple yet very powerful) http://www.rfxnetworks.com/apf.php
2- Clam AV (Free Open Source Anti-Virus) www.clamav.net/
3- Anti-Spyware.....donn know any if u come to know about any please do let us know ...so that our knowledge is also extended :)

 

by: xDamoxPosted on 2007-06-06 at 04:53:28ID: 19224223

Hi,

1. Use iptables as this is firewalling software at the kernel level and you can get some
excellent modules.

2. AVG anti virus for Linux is free http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free you can download a Linux version from there

3. haven't seen any anti spyware.

 

by: MattrageousPosted on 2007-06-07 at 14:29:57ID: 19237593

Linux doesn't actually need anti-virus or anti-spyware.  The way it is built means windows based virus and spyware will not run on it.  Linux is far more secure by design, taking much more effort on the part of a hacker to harm your system.  Firefox has all you need built into it, just tell it to clean your cooikies when you are done.    

So firewall yes.  Antivirus, if it makes you sleep better.  Forget about anti-spyware.

 

by: kblack05Posted on 2007-06-07 at 16:24:11ID: 19238352

There is no such thing as a virus in Unix or Linux. At that point it is called a "Trojan" or "Malware" and in most cases you have to download it, configure it, compile it, install it, and run it. If you go to those lengths without knowing what can happen and how to do it securely then you get what you probably deserve.

ClamAV and other "Anti Virus" software for Linux/Unix is designed around mail servers, and is used to lectically scan files moving THROUGH the server to points unknown. Linux and Unix use a permissons based filesystem, so a simple rule of thumb is "If you aren't sure, don't run it as the 'root' user!".

If you are worried about "spyware", "grayware", or other trojans on the system (you are installing a lot of crap you aren't sure about, aren't checking MD checksums on downloaded software, or are using third party sources in installs) then download and run 'chkrootkit' which will check the system for the most widely spread types of trojans. http://freshmeat.net/projects/chkrootkit/

With respects to the firewall many posts here are correct Linux comes with inherent firewall support built in known as "ip tables". However, it is counter intuitive and can be extremely difficult to troubleshoot if you break things. Your best bet IMHO is gShield. You can download here -> http://www.tucows.com/preview/48519

What gShield (and shorewall, and many others do) is give you an interface which you can use to configure the Ip Tables software. Also you can search EE here for "JLevie" "iptables" and JLevies script is a good start also.

Just remember that firewalls can break things in weird ways. Make sure you understand how to turn it off on your particular system before you start, so you can always shut it down if things start breaking.

 

by: feaPosted on 2007-08-23 at 01:25:49ID: 19752338

Thanks to all.

Since I simply run a Laptop with a dualboot, I guess that running the AV from Windows from time to time is enough since I am most of the time on Linux...

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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