Anti-virus for Linux - is it time? Will it ever be?

[Chris Gehlker]

On Mar 7, 2008, at 9:40 PM, JT Moree wrote:

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> Chris Gehlker wrote:
>>> I don't run anti-virus on windows or linux because I'm very careful
>>> about what services and code I run and keeping up to date on  
>>> patches.
>>
>> This attitude is fine for a personal system but I don't know anyone
>> running a public facing commercial server with any form of *nix who  
>> is
>> not running ClamAV.
>
> Actually, at my small company (of 3 employees) we used Linux on our
> desktops.  The only reason we installed clamav or any other av tools  
> on
> our 'public facing' EMAIL server was to experiment with it.
>
> That said, I DO recommend running AV software for everyone else I  
> know.
>
> My point was that AV software deals with a symptom--not a root  
> problem.
> . . . and here I would repeat my last email which expounds on this.
> Please go back and read it if you missed my point the first time  
> around.  ;)

I got your point and I fundamentally agree. In fact, I don't  have any  
anti-virus software either and I have no problems. My point was that  
*for most people* anti-virus software is better than nothing. I have  
seen small businesses and non-profits brought to their knees because  
of a combination running Windows/IE/Outlook and poor practices on the  
part of their members.


Your previous post made me smile:

> From: JT Moree <moreejt at pcxperience.com>
> Date: March 6, 2008 8:59:08 PM GMT-07:00
> To: Main PLUG discussion list <plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
> Subject: Re: Anti-virus for Linux - is it time? Will it ever be?
> Reply-To: Main PLUG discussion list <plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us 
> >
>
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> Anti-virus is ineffective.  It deals with a symptom while ignoring the
> real problem.  That is: attack vectors on a system.

[snip]

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--
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who  
could not hear the music.
-Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)