Yesterday, I wrote about 3 operating systems that could possibly replace Windows. Today, we’ll be taking a look at how you can protect your new operating system against threats. Admittedly, installing an antivirus application on a Linux-based OS may sound a little moot but consider it a prophylactic effort.
When speaking of antivirus applications for Linux, only a few come to mind. We’ll be focusing Ubuntu antivirus applications here since it’s the most popular Linux flavour among newbies.
BitDefender
BitDefender for Unices is provided free of charge for personal desktop users. To get a free 1-year license, you simply need to request for one here. The license and download link will be emailed to you. This is probably the Ubuntu antivirus of choice — it’s easy to obtain and use.
The antivirus GUI is very easy to navigate and use. On the initial run, DitDefender will download the latest definitions and check if the software is up to date before it starts scanning.
Malicious files can be processed in several ways: quarantining them, attempting to remove them, and you’ll be reminded about existing threats on your system if you choose to take no action.
BitDefender is fast, simple and a great all-round Ubuntu antivirus that you should start using.
Avast
This Ubuntu antivirus application makes use of the GTK libraries and hence, the GUI and resulting application looks very Gnome-line and feels right at home. You can easily get a free one year license for Avast Linux Home Edition for personal use by downloading the appropriate version here then registering for a license here.
The Avast virus scanner for Ubuntu (and other flavours of Linux) works pretty much like it does on Windows and its scans are pretty thorough. It can scan inside almost the same number of archives as under Windows, with the exception of MAPI, CAB, ACE, CHM, 7ZIP and NTFS streams.
Avast is updated more than 3 times a week and provides you the most up-to-date virus definitions.
Do you use an Ubuntu antivirus? Should you?
David Macdonald Ajang
March 2, 2011
AV for Mac makes more sense as more & more Mac malware .appeared in the last few years.
Jackson Chung
March 7, 2011
Hey David, I’ll actually be writing an article about this later on. Thanks for the suggestion!