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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux security (feddit.dk)

submitted 1 month ago by UheldigeBenny@feddit.dk to c/linux@lemmy.ml

87 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi there,

Win10 is soon not supported. Tbh Linux have been on my radar since I started to break from the US big tech.

But how is security handled in Linux? Linux is pretty open-source, or am I not understanding it correctly. So how can I as a new user make sure to have the most secure machine as possible?

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[–] EpicStuff@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I hear don't run random stuff from the internet alot but back when i was using windows, if i found something interesting on say github i would just download and run it and i expected windows defender to block any viruses. Is there something similar for linux? Like if I go around installing random Aur packages, is there anything stopping viruses from doing virus things?

[–] deadcade@lemmy.deadca.de 1 points 2 weeks ago

Is there anything stopping viruses from doing virus things?

Usually that's called sandboxing. AUR packages do not have any, if you install random AUR packages without reading them, you run the risk of installing malware. Using Flatpaks from Flathub while keeping their permissions in check with a tool like Flatseal can help guard against this.

The main difference is that even with the AUR being completely user submitted content, they're centralized repositories, unlike random websites. Malware on the AUR is significantly less common, though not impossible. Using packages that have a better reputation will avoid some malware, simply because other people have looked at the same package.

There is no good FOSS Linux antivirus (that also targets Linux). Clamav "is the closest", though it won't help much.