Do Computers with a Linux OS suffer from viruses and the like?
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 at
16:27
What about Blue Screen errors? Im having problems with XP that are frustrating me so much and I’m about ready to switch over if I won’t have any more problems.
Filed under: Linux
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No.
Linux OS can get a virus, but its is extremely rare.
I got a virus 4 times last year on 2 XP computers-even with anti-virus software running. I switched over to Ubuntu around March or April- about a year now on one computer, My Linux computer has operated flawlessly since. But my XP computer still gets issues.
Ubuntu is probably the most popular Linux software with ex windows users and newbies. It is different- but not difficult. Its all point and click- pull down menus like windows- just much better.
I have never used the command line (terminal). The newer Linux Os’s are very user friendly.
I highly recommend Ubuntu.
If you play a lot of games, then you will need windows to run them. There are some games for Linux- but your windows games will nit work.
Take a look at Ubuntu-
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/
Look over this site…..extreme right hand column shows the most popular Linux versions in order.
http://distrowatch.com/
There are tons of bits of malicious code that run on *nix systems, but no, there are not `viruses`, exactly. At least, that term is not really used in *nix. But yes, there’s lots of malware for *nix. It’s a bit harder for an average person though to actually be targeted by malicious code in *nix…there simply wouldn’t be much reason for most home or office users to be victimized like that.
A blue screen error is a feature of Windows operating systems, so no, you wouldn’t see a blue screen error in any other OS.
It’s pretty rare for Linux to get malware for a couple of reasons.
1. Malware doesn’t have the necessary permissions to do serious damage to a Linux system. It’s not impossible for a hacker to get administrator privileges, but it would be much more difficult than attacking a Windows system where must people always run as administrator.
2. Less users, so it’s less targeted.
3. With Linux, most of the software you install is packaged by the maintainer of your distribution. This software is guaranteed to be malware-free unless somebody hacked their servers. Most of this software is also open-source, it would be pretty difficult to hide malicious code in an open-source program.
Linux doesn’t get BSODs, but it can get kernel panics. (Those are rare)
No operating platform is entirely impervious to viruses but suffice to say I have been running Linux since 2006 and never had any security problems and thats running without any type of anti-virus software
Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux
Option One (Full installation)
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon the outstanding Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint 8 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena
Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide
You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation
Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive
Option Two (Install Ubuntu inside Windows XP)
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu 9.10 Download
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic
Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (mint4win is not available for Linux Mint
http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/
Linux Mint 7 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38
Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide
Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
Option Three (LiveCD)
Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/
Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
LUg.
As the other have said linux does not have a problem with viruses.
BUT that does not mean that linux will not crash and have problems. If you want to run linux without problems you should read the linux documentation on how to install and use linux. Linux is not windows and you have to do things differently in linux. By following the proper linux procedures you will have very few "problems"
Good luck