----- Original Message -----
From: Karthik Vishwanath <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 12:14 PM
Subject: Just a curious question.
> Hi All,
>
> Was having this talk about linux and viruses with a friend and he claimed
> that there are viruses for Linux. I did not take him too seriously then,
> later when browsing linux.com I found a link to some anti-virus utility.
Most of these scan all incoming email for known WindowsXX/MacOs virii. Some
ISP deploy this type of method to protect their users from certain types of
treats.
>
> So, are there known viruses for linux? If yes how do we generally
safegaurd
> against any malevolent attack(s)? If no, why not?
>
> Thanks,
> -Karthik
>
> -------------------------------------
> Whatever you want to do, you have to do something else first.
There is a couple (I think 3) virii that can infect Linux. Check out
http://www.avp.com and goto the virii database and do a search for either
'Linux' or 'bliss'. The thing about Linux virii though, is that the virii
MUST be run as root to cause any type of major damage. Also if you are dual
booting between Linux and WindowsXX, a virii installed on Windows could
trash out of the hard drive or the mbr (say goodbye to lilo), so that is
more of a concern.
A coupel virus DO exist for Linux, but they are rare. They HAVE to be run
as root, but if a cracker with a maclious intend obtains root, it would just
be easier to do a `rm -rf /` then download and install a virii. Most
crackers or maclious users will try for either a trojan of some sorts vs a
virus.
If you wanted to destory someones system and comprised root, would you
a) `rm -rf /` and be done with it or
b) take 20 minutes to download, compile, install and execute a virus?
They do exist, but it is not on the "Top 10 Security Concerns" for Linux,
Windows is another story.
If you have allot of Windows/Mac users on your system, you might want to get
a Linux anti-virus that checks their email for know virii and worms that
spread rapidly though these types of systems.
Jack
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