Choosing an Antivirus for Linux
Dr.Web
Dr.Web is an antivirus software created in St. Petersburg, by Igor Daniloff’s virus laboratory in collaboration with the Computer Center of Russian Academy of Sciences.
Dr.Web software platforms have been developed for Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris (Intel), OS / 2, Novell Netware, Windows, DOS.
Dr.Web applications consist of two basic elements: an interface-oriented to work in a particular environment and antivirus engine module which is independent of the operating system.
Manufacturer provides updates of virus signatures several times a day.
The last version is 5.0, released 2009-09-28.
Features:
- Anti-virus – best active infection cure
- New! HTTP-monitor – real-time scan of web-pages and guaranteed downloading of virus free web-content
- Anti-rootkit – reliable protection against malicious programs featuring rootkit technologies
- Anti-spyware – security of your personal information – best of breed detection of Trojans and key loggers
- Anti-spam – efficient detection of spam with false detection reaching zero
- New! Parental control – protection against cyber fraud targeting children
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Kaspersky Anti-Virus (formerly AntiViral Toolkit Pro) is an antivirus software by the Kaspersky Labs company. It was created to ensure protection from the dangers of the Internet (viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, spyware).
Kaspersky Anti-Virus works with Windows 98/ME and Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Linux.
There are several versions of the program:
- Kaspersky Internet Security
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus
- Kaspersky Internet Security Home Edition
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus Home Edition
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus Mobile
Last stable version is 9.0.0.463 (v2010), released 2009-07-23.
Features of Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
- E-mail scanner (MailChecker)
- Protection from viruses scripting
- Heuristic detection of unknown threats
- Firewall protects against network based attacks
- Frequent automated database updates
NOD32
NOD32 is an antivirus software written by the Slovak company Eset. There are versions for Windows Server, Linux, FreeBSD and other systems. For an additional fee the program is available to remotely manage multi-user environments mode.
Virus detecting signatures of NOD32 are updated automatically. Most recent version detects worms, trojans and other malicious programs included in the software.
NOD32 uses several scanners for various purposes such as a scanner AMON resident. DMON used to scan documents, MS Office, Emon and IMON used to scan e-mail (MAPI and POP3). The latter scans the HTTP traffic.
The acronym NOD stands for “Nemocnica na Okraji Disku” (hospital at the edge of the disk).
Last stable version is 4.0.467.0, released 2009-09-23.
Features:
- Keeps you safe from viruses, spyware, trojans, password stealers and other malware threats
- Stops most new threats proactively, well before other vendors have issued a signature, maximizing your defense against new and unknown threats
- Scans and cleans Internet traffic and email, even when it’s SSL-encrypted, so your email is always safe
- Stops threats from entering through removable devices so you can share files with confidence
- Integrated SysInspector and SysRescue simplify system diagnosis and recovery
Probably there are more anti-virus software but we are not sure whether you can use them on Linux system (eg Norton Antivirus).
I hope I have managed to clarify some doubts about antivirus software for Linux and respond to the frequently asked question, “Do I need Anti-Virus on Linux”, but you are to choose which antivirus suits your needs. Now you have a big list to choose from, all products described in this article are worth trying.
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Categories: Security And Protection Antivirus, Antivirus kernel, antivirus program, Antivirus programs, Antivirus software, Avast! Antivirus, Avira AntiVir, BitDefender, Clam AntiVirus, computer viruses, Dr.Web, freeware antivirus, freeware antivirus software, infected files, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Linux Antivirus, Linux Antivirus software, NOD32, treatment of computer viruses