linux

[Herr.Wenz]

hey everyone

i recently switched over to linux cause I got fed up with windows. question is it true that linux doesnt have spyware? thanks

[alliercollins]

My original thought was that it can be done, but why attack a minority audience. It doesn't make sense to send spyware after a few people rather than all of these windows users. I know it can be done, just like viruses, but no one seems to want to waste time targeting it.

My thought seemed correct after I read this:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/history/190712

[cpugeniusmv]

typically you will find that more advanced users are the ones using linux...the same advanced users that didn't have any problems with spyware in windows (if they ever used it) because they took preventative measures, and can identify "crap" before it does anything to their system.

any system can be infected with spyware and adware. it's the user that lets it get by...whether they're conscious of it or not. (same goes for viruses IMO)

[Herr.Wenz]

i havent let anything install, the question is does linux have programs like spybot

[goweropolis]

I use Debian and the majority of the software are installed from trusted sources using apt-get, so the odds of getting spyware are pretty low.

[cpugeniusmv]

i havent let anything install, the question is does linux have programs like spybot
not to my knowledge. but only because there isn't a need for it :) if there was, there would be.

[Herr.Wenz]

thanx guys

I got annoyed everytime I was surfing on windows, that basically every websight i went too was installing something. How does linux work if something does install, like the casino crap from supernova websight. SO you guys are basically saying if some spyware that installs would remain inactive since its not on windows?

[cpugeniusmv]

thanx guys

I got annoyed everytime I was surfing on windows, that basically every websight i went too was installing something. How does linux work if something does install, like the casino crap from supernova websight. SO you guys are basically saying if some spyware that installs would remain inactive since its not on windows?
i'm saying...it wouldn't install at all. it probably uses AcitveX to install...and no browser on linux supports ActiveX.

it's the same as using firefox on windows.

[lizardsforall]

thanx guys

I got annoyed everytime I was surfing on windows, that basically every websight i went too was installing something. How does linux work if something does install, like the casino crap from supernova websight. SO you guys are basically saying if some spyware that installs would remain inactive since its not on windows?

A Majority of the world runs on windows and and that's what spyware and malware companies will target, the majority. the only things you may get asked to install are things like Macromedia flash and java packages, but that's only if you need them. Most spyware comes from internet arcade sites and the games are usually not linux compatible, thought there are some i would imagine. What distro of linux do you choose, Herr. Wenz?

[Herr.Wenz]

I have Fedora installed. I am learning the new commands to operate linux. I am seem to like it way better then the crap on windows

thanx guys

[mcovey]

there isnt really spyware like on windows. Programs like opera and limewire have adware in the form of banner ads, but those are easy to get rid of, one way or the other.

If you miss the windows feel, you could always run your spyware through wine (winehq.com).

[Herr.Wenz]

mcovey i checked that sight out, do i have to download a program or its run through that sight

does anyone know how to block ads in linux, like the ones in zeropaid where i can "shoot a crook" to win a free ipod

in windows i used a program ad subtract, is there something for linux

[multi]

# /etc/hosts: This file describes a number of hostname-to-address
# mappings for the TCP/IP subsystem. It is mostly
# used at boot time, when no name servers are running.
# On small systems, this file can be used instead of a
# "named" name server. Just add the names, addresses
# and any aliases to this file...



there might be otherways..
can use this file in windows as well ofcourse..
c:\windows\system32\drivers\ect\

best way to learn linux is find out what files to edit imo..theres a text file for many of the things you find in most linux distros like a windows .ini file ...
like FStab that mounts your File Systems

use man in the console for things you need to find out about a console command ..switches..ect
eg. # man apropos
#man cat
#man mc

[FrozenShadow23]

I've used Linux a bit before, had to switch back to windows unfortunatly due to my hobbies. I do a lot of graphic design and webdesign and Macromedia / Adobe haven't ported to Linux, soon as they do, I'll totally switch back. I still have one partition that runs debian now though. I've yet to seen spyware on a Linux system. Not only does Linux browsers not support ActiveX, but the filesystem is different (obviously), so the spyware would need to be programmed specifically for your linux distro (all distrobutions are different in some way). I have to say that I've never had a problem with spyware on Windows so far though, Firefox and SpySweeper do a damn good job of keeping me clean and NOD32 stops the other shit.

[baghdad_steve15]

I don't think spyware is possible in linux because of the oppeness of the community. The only real chances of getting spyware is through "commercial" applications (AKA Closed Source) or through programs that are run using Wine. Don't get me wrong: it is possible. I won't give the whole details of how it could be done because I don't want spyware (think daemon + init script).

[shawners]

if linux was as popular or was on 80 percent of computers.. there be spyware and adware.. and all sorts of nasty stuff out there like windows has.

[ducttapeBigSexy]

if you're using mozilla (well, at least firefox, i know for a fact), you can get adblock - i don't mean to spam (i always preach the wonders of it), but it's the best i've found so far. It allows you to filter out ads based on keywords in their URL, such as "*doubleclick*" Check it out at http://adblock.mozdev.org/

And yeah, don't worry about spyware - almost every major app for linux is opensource, and if there was spyware including in it, someone would find it pretty quickly and release a clean version (think K++, but it would be 100% legal under the GNU license)

[multi]

The Allure and Curse of Complexity (http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/252)



i think the latest fix for ie stops active -x from comunicating with system processes..to try and curb some servers that were using it to spread some worm..

its about time windows had a good all in one free firewall anti-spyware/anti-virus/anti-hijacker/anti-keylogger(p2pblocklist)
with updateable definitions weekly
one that didnt come with a pay-for version...:black