Re: Spyware / Adware
Furthermore, it all depends on your (download) sources.
If you install from Debian packages, you should have the implied guarantee
that these don't contain backdoors or virii.
Of course, if you download some unknown program from a website, apply
someone's patches or make any other modifications without checking what
these contain, you will never be sure of security of the result.
Therefore, I'd recommend downloading from "known" people. ( no need to
download e.g. apache from a different site then that of the apache project
itself or it's listed mirrors (including your distributions. See Debian
packages point above. )
The same goes for windows, except that even with "trusted software" you
have no guarantees that the makers aren't spying on you or "phoning home".
And because of it's frequent vulnerabilities, malicious software tends to
get installed by exploiting a loophole, by-passing even the wary user...
The risk IMHO doesn't stem from the OS as much as the user under Linux.
And with most open source applications, you have the possibility to check
the source code to see if you're getting what's being promised - and
nothing more.
If you follow Martin's recommendations you'll further minimize the risks.
Kind regards,
Roger
> I´m not an expert. Just a normal user. But I think Linux is vulnerable
> like
> any other OS. But at this time the risk is not as high as under Windows.
> In
> my opinion it depends on how many people are using one specific OS or
> browser. At home I´ve installed both Windows and Linux. And if you
> configure
> your Windows correctly with some afford you can go online with a low risk.
> Under Debian the default configuration is more secure than under Windows.
> But if you configure it in the wrong way you can change this to unsecure.
> The biggest mistake users can make is that you´re working as root
> (Administrator under Windows).
> Take a look at Debian. I´ve installed it again 3 month ago because I had
> trouble with SuSE. I like it. And soon there will be a newer version of
> Debian.
>
> To protect you computer (Windows or Linux):
>
> install an configure :) a firewall
> install latest securitypatches
> don´t work as root (Administrator)
> under Windows: don't use IE and install a up to date virusscanner
>
> have a nice week
> martin
>
>> Security,
>>
>> I just purchased Debian Linux for my home PC and waiting for the CD's to
>> arrive this week. I'm looking forward to installing so I can eventually
>> divorce myself from Microsoft Windows.
>> I've had more calls in the last few weeks from friends and relatives
>> regarding SpyWare and Adware that was downloaded and running on their
>> Windows PC's.
>> Is Linux vulnerable to these unwanted downloads and if so, how do I
>> protect Linux so I don't have a similar issue?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Please reply to all so your answer gets sent to my personal email
>> address.
>>
>>
>> Dave Snyder
>> ITS - DBA Supervisor PD/Finance/OGC
>> iTek Building - Dearborn - Office: W2F197
>> Phone: 313 62-16647 - Fax: 313 206-3543 - Pager: 313 795-7892
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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--
Under capitalism, man exploits man.
Under communism, it's just the opposite.
J.K.Galbraith
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