Virus ?

[vignesh]

This is something I picked up from the ubuntu-users mailing list..

Anders Karlsson schrieb:
> Linux is not invulnerable to virii, and there are hundreds of virii
> for Linux, they just do not spread so easily. Because Windows has a
> much larger install base, and usually less cluefull users, virii
> writers targets Windows because the reward is bigger.
>
> Do not make the mistake of believing "because I use Linux no harm will
> come to me". The bigger the install base, the bigger the target and
> the bigger the reward for a successful virii.


Then, why are there many virii which target Windows servers, but only a
few (if any) that target Linux Servers? There are way more
Apache-Web-Servers than Windows servers, but interestingly exploits are
primarily target at Windows (despite the install base).

There was an article some years ago which argued that the "install base
argument" is mostly wrong:

<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/06/linux_vs_windows_viruses/>

Regards,

S. Wagschal



st one follow up, since I linked the wrong article in my last mail:

While the article linked in my last post is an interesting reading, the
real article is found here:

<http://www.theregister.co.uk/security/security_report_windows_vs_linux/#myth1>

What do you guys think ?

[naveenchandran]

AFAIK..

In windows EVERYONE ALWAYS works as an Administrator thus weakening the entire os directly!

Morover lot of bugs which does not get a fix *Immediately* even if it is a critical one!

....

[mehulved]

There are many reasons for failure of viruses in linux besides the lower user base than windows

1) the practise of not using root account so the damage is limited to the permissions given to non-root users.
2) The different distros by different vendors though similar aren't same.
3) There are many different components to choose from unlike in windows where all the basic components in the OS are the same so it is difficult to fine linux OS by same vendor running same version and same softwares.
4) More percent of users of linux are geeks and are aware of basic security practises.

What else do u'll think are the reasons for lower spread of viruses?

[vijay_7287]

well wheres the mental incentive for the Virus writer

u get linux for free, and ur windows costs a tone

so makin ppl loose stuff they pay for is always more sadistic

[mehulved]

But, corporates and servers do pay for linux too. Agreed the number is far lesser than windows but still it isn't that insignificant.

[Satissh S]

Let's get another fact., What abt solaris servers which have 32% of the server market( not sure, remember reading it somewhere )??
Generally, as a rule of thumb Unix and it's off-springs such as minix , solaris , BSD (even Mac which is based on darwin) are inherently more secure than dos and it's off springs.
Hence linux (although it doesn't have one single line of unix code, but still) based on unix is inherently more secure.
The Verdict Declared.

[GNUrag]

Better is, to use Linux on a non Intel architecture. Like say, PowerPC, Alpha, SparcStations..

Or better still, use a bizzare OS like NetBSD, or OpenVMS maybe..... No virus, no bu11$hit ...

[praka123]

Linux OS or any ^NIX OS must be used as localuser especially while connected to Internet etc.many newbies tends to practice loging in as root and start browsing..though they may be lucky..i'd say
You must be logged in as local user only.no root until it is very urgent
thats why Debian,Ubuntu etc in default not allow logging in as root through GDM.Happy Linuxing..

[GNUrag]

Originally Posted by prakash kerala

You must be logged in as local user only.no root until it is very urgent

With a properly configured sudoers file, one doesnt have to login as root even in urgent cases also.

[mehulved]

Originally Posted by GNUrag

Better is, to use Linux on a non Intel architecture. Like say, PowerPC, Alpha, SparcStations..

Or better still, use a bizzare OS like NetBSD, or OpenVMS maybe..... No virus, no bu11$hit ...

Well now that's an idea. But, it will be as hard for a user to move to these as it will be for virus writers. I have tried to install FreeBSD on my computer about 3 times in vain. I dunno what will happen with these .

[cool_dude_prav]

hey GNUrag...

wats this sudoers file?

plz explain and preferably post a HOWTO thread here

so that al can benefit

[praka123]

man visudo

read this.
if u r running a single system or a single local user

# /etc/sudoers
#
# This file MUST be edited with the 'visudo' command as root.
#
# See the man page for details on how to write a sudoers file.
#

# Host alias specification

# User alias specification

# Cmnd alias specification

# User privilege specification
root    ALL=(ALL) ALL
alexy ALL=(ALL) ALL

it is better editing /etc/sudoers file using "visudo".there are many easy HW2s available in web
http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/l...n/addusers.htm

[vignesh]

A person in the Sudoers list can use the sudo command and using his own password can gain root access or superuser rights

[cool_dude_prav]

ok i get the point

or so i think