Linux
Welcome to c/linux!
Welcome to our thriving Linux community! Whether you're a seasoned Linux enthusiast or just starting your journey, we're excited to have you here. Explore, learn, and collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a passion for open-source software and the endless possibilities it offers. Together, let's dive into the world of Linux and embrace the power of freedom, customization, and innovation. Enjoy your stay and feel free to join the vibrant discussions that await you!
Rules:
-
Stay on topic: Posts and discussions should be related to Linux, open source software, and related technologies.
-
Be respectful: Treat fellow community members with respect and courtesy.
-
Quality over quantity: Share informative and thought-provoking content.
-
No spam or self-promotion: Avoid excessive self-promotion or spamming.
-
No NSFW adult content
-
Follow general lemmy guidelines.
view the rest of the comments
My understanding is that no amount of anti-virus software replaces common sense. As long as you're not downloading sketchy programs and giving them permission to run, you're pretty well set.
Some people might tell you that there's no viruses on Linux, but that isn't exactly true. Linux has something like 2% of the desktop market, which makes it less attractive to develop malware for - but 2% of a few billion computers is still millions of potential targets. Not to mention that Linux dominates the server market, and arguably that's where malware is more valuable. To think that there's no malware targeting Linux is naive.
Many anti-virus suites are effectively malware though. If you decide you do need AV software make sure to do your research before installing any.
Anyway, long story, I don't personally use an anti-virus, and for your stated uses I'm not sure I'd recommend one.
If you're mostly using it as a web browser then I would definitely recommend a solid ad blocker. UBlock Origin is free, highly esteemed, and can be installed as an extension to whatever browser you're currently using.
Thanks for your answer! Ublock Origin is a given in all my browsers. Web is not usable any more without.
I read recently that ~~~90%~~ lots of malware comes through ads, so it’s a really great security help as well.
Where did you read that? It sounds very high.
I read it from a Lemmy user who said they ran a business network and that’s the distribution they saw.
Thanks for questioning that. I couldn't find a wider trend number and it was a bit irresponsible of me to repeat it assuming it applied everywhere.