An antivirus is a software or tool used to prevent viruses from infecting your computer system, and almost all operating system developers recommend using good antivirus software. However, there needs to be more clarity about whether to install it or not on Ubuntu because the security is almost perfect, but why is it still necessary?
If you’re curious whether to use or not antivirus software on Ubuntu, then look no further because this article will cover all aspects of having or not having it installed on your system. The content that supports this post is:
- What is a Virus, and How Does it Work?
- Do you Need Antivirus Software on Ubuntu?
- How to Protect Ubuntu System From Viruses Without Using Any Antivirus?
- Which Antivirus Should I use in My Ubuntu System?
Let’s start!
What is a Virus, and How Does it Work?
A virus is a malicious piece of code often embedded in an image, a video, pirated games, or any executable file. It usually runs in the background and works in stealth mode, making it hard for an average user to close the malicious program.
In Windows, it is generally considered easy for the virus to do its work because of the admin privileges granted before using the file, and boom, there goes your data.
For Ubuntu, the powers of the virus are neutralized because specific directories like “Home” require authentication, which is only granted by entering a password unknown by a virus.
Do you Need Antivirus Software on Ubuntu?
Well, it is entirely dependent on your usage, but it is often not required, as the security updates from Canonical are enough to keep you going. However, if you have a hobby of collecting data from different computers, especially with Windows installed, it is required because there are too many viruses.
If you are using Ubuntu only for development, you won’t need the antivirus software; however, if the user likes multimedia, it could cause trouble as most of the sharing is done from Windows OS, which can be infected with a virus.
How to Protect my Ubuntu System From Viruses Without Using Any Antivirus?
There is only one answer to your question: to keep your system updated whenever there is an update because the security patches are also included in those updates that keep your system safe from the threats like viruses.
Which Antivirus Should I use in My Ubuntu System?
Although you don’t need antivirus software on Ubuntu, there are certain cases when it is required, so here’s a list of top antivirus software for Ubuntu.
ClamAV
ClamAV is one of the most popular antivirus software because it is free, open-source, and can work using both the command line and GUI.
You can install it by executing the following commands.
$ sudo apt install clamav
*For command line version*
$ sudo apt install clamtk
*For the GUI version (use it after installing the command line)
Chkrootkit
chkrootkit shouldn’t be called an antivirus because it only targets specific malware like rootkit, which will enter your system and have unauthorized root access, which gives the hacker complete control over the infected computer.
Any ordinary antivirus cannot detect the rootkit, and that is why Linux has Chkrootkit, which is lightweight but powerful and can be installed by executing the following command.
$ sudo apt install chkrootkit
There are a few other paid antivirus software, like Avast, ESET NOD32 for Linux, that are used mostly. That’s all from this guide!
Conclusion
Ubuntu may be much more secure than Windows, but there is no operating system that is not vulnerable to viruses. In Ubuntu, the viruses are pretty much neutralized, as stated earlier. There is no definite answer to the question “Does Ubuntu Need Antivirus” because everything depends on the user and how they use their system.
