Can Linux get viruses?
962982
"To mess up a Linux box, you need to work at it; to mess up your Windows box, you just need to work on it" \n\nOk, obviously no Operating System is 100% inmune to attacks, viruses, or other malicious things. However, Linux is much more resistant. There are about 5 viruses for commercial Unix versions, and perhaps 40 for Linux. None of them became widespread \n\n Now, why is it that it's so easy to mess up with a Windows computer than a Linux one?\nMany reasons perhaps, I can mention some:\n1- "Social engineering" when you make someone to do something they shouldn't, or to reveal something they should  keep secret, which is exactly what Virus writers do, like to open attachments that carry viruses and worms.  Usually, Linux users are more cautious.\n2- "Poorly designed software" makes it easier for social engineering to take place, but such software can also subvert the efforts of a knowledgable, security-minded individual or organization. \n3- It's easy to run executables in the Windows world, but not so in Linux, because Windows runs as administrator.\n4- In a Linux computer, there are normally 2 accounts: Root and user. Root is a sort of administrator with full privileges; user, is limited (You may add more users as required, but, the same person who installed the distribution uses Root or his user account. People are taught not to use their Root account unless need to configure the system, install or upgrade for instance)\n5- Microsoft's email software is able to infect an user's computer when they do something as innocuous as read an email. Instead of just reading an email, a Linux user would have \na) to read the email, \nb) save the attachment, \nc) give the attachment executable permissions, \nd) and then run the executable. \nThe more steps, the less likely a virus infection becomes.\n6- Even as less sophisticated users begin to migrate to Linux, they may not understand exactly why they can't just execute attachments, but they will still have to go through the steps.  \n7-Due to the strong community around Linux, new users often receive education and encouragement in areas such as email security, a factor currently lacking in the Windows world.\n\n8-Due to that strong separation between normal users and the privileged root user, the Linux user would have to be running as root to really do any damage to the system. He could damage his /home directory, but that's about it.  \n9- And since Linux users are taught from the get-go to never run as root, and since Mac OS X doesn't even allow users to use the root account unless they first enable the option, it's obvious the likelihood of email-driven viruses and worms lessens on those platforms.\n10- social engineering is easier in the Windows world is because it is a monoculture. Everything is roughly "the same". It's much easier for a virus writer to exploit a deficiency in Windows and affect a great number of systems than to do the same in Linux. Diversity in computing environments helps to protect the users of those devices. Linux runs on many architectures, not just Intel, and there are many versions of Linux, many packaging systems, and many shells. But most obvious to the end user, Linux mail clients and address books are far from standard. A virus targeted to a specific vulnerability in Evolution Mail, on the other hand, might affect some people, but not everyone using Linux. "In Diversity, there is taste".\n11- Linux email programs themselves are designed to act in a more secure manner.\nMicrosoft continually links together its software. Linux email readers don't indulge in such behavior. \n11- As Linux is Open Source, it is much easier to obtain answers and solutions. Windows is closed, so you have to WAIT until Microsoft and allied companies decide there is a problem and want to resolve it. Linux users can find the solution together and share it with the rest of the communi
539243
They can carry viruses just like on any other storage medium (hard disk, floppy disk etc). A brand new one should be fine though and as long as you virus scan anything that you put onto it.
889579
Yes, scan for viruses all message before you open. Yahoo has got that facility.
582648
Hi it is possible that cable can be hacked and it also can create viruses and the authorities also have an watch on us which sites we r visiting it happens with my systems also thanx.
96926
GO TO:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus
765102
Only computers that run Windows are vulnerable. The USB drive may have the virus on it, but the drive is unaffected. Viruses only infect Windows. Get a Mac.
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Yes they can.\n\nAt this time there is grand total of one OS X virus out there.\nhttp://antivirus.about.com/b/a/257743.htm\n\nSort of pales against the number of viruses for XP but anyone who tells you a Mac can't be infected is uninformed.\n\n///
310189
Here is another resource to check out:\n\nhttp://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/trojmdropahe.html
1111624
it gets viruses from the computer
1182353
You cant get any virus unless they have you accept a file or you click on one of their links. In other words, dont click on any link you are not sure of and dont accept anything they send you. As well, dont tell them what pages you visited or your IP adress as they can easily hack you. Otherwise, you are safe just chatting.
302688
There are differnet kinds of viruses.Some viruses could affect the system files and casue the system to behave unexpectedly.While ohers could write corrupt data to your hard disk and try to steal information.
622827
Might want to do a virus scan
643297
No, it doesnt have any viruses but it has spyware and adware, after you have installed it, it will track all over movements in the computer by keying in your keyboard letters. In short, dont download it.\nCHEERS!!!
85685
Sounds virussy. Are you able to boot up in safe mode to run a virus check? \n\n(Hit F8 repeatedly during the boot to get the boot menu, and choose safe mode)
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Not unless you installed something.\nYou could for example do that with a local proxy server.\nBut if you just want to check. No there's no such log.\nIf you think it's full of spyware and viruses run a virus\nand spyware checker.
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What in linux? exploits... Same thing in Windows too exploits...
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If it is a boot sector virus you will still have it. They are somewhat rare these days because most viruses are written to exploit security flaws in microsoft software these days.\n\nI think that formatting it will be good enough to remove it.