Newbie still confused about potential for virus problems on Ubuntu

[Amedee Van Gasse (ubuntu)]

Ed Oneill schreef:

> What is the chances of virus problem on ubuntu 8.10 if used to surf 
> web, open e-mail and fileshare with transmission?

None.

> Am I correct thinking the Ubuntu os is not in danger

Yes.

> only a windows based system I would interact with is at risk

Yes.

> and that is the reason to use virus scanners?

Yes.

> Has anyone useing Ubuntu had virus issues

No.

> and how would you know what are some of the possible problems if they
> exist ?

Windows viruses cannot infect Linux.

The very few Linux viruses that do exist, are not in the wild. Anyway
the design of Linux makes it very hard for viruses to propagate. You'd
have to run as root all the time. And since Ubuntu has no root...

You should be more scared of browser exploits like cross-site scripting
or clickjacking, than of Linux viruses.


-- 
Amedee

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