Re: Spyware / Adware

[Christoph Haas <email@christoph-haas.de>]

On Tue, Aug 31, 2004 at 06:33:07AM -0400, Snyder, Dave (D.F.) wrote:
> Is Linux vulnerable to these unwanted downloads and if so, how do I protect
> Linux so I don't have a similar issue?

In theory, yes. Surfing security depends mainly on your web browser.
However generally security standards on Linux are higher than on Windows
from my own experience. Microsoft sells/distributes software as soon as
it's remotely useable (most Windows end-users don't care about security
anyway). Linux users tend to use only decent software because there are
always alternatives if an application is buggy/insecure/slow/weird/unstable.
Mozilla is far advanced compared to the Intranet Exploder.

I don't dare to say that there are no viruses for Linux. There are
already root-kits and having a badly-configured Linux distribution is as
fatal as any other badly-maintained operating system. IMHO much of the
security comes from the motivation of Linux users/admins to understand
their system.

I recommend you use a web proxy (Squid) for browsing the internet and
block off any other accesses to the internet (if that's possible) using
netfilter/iptables. You can use filter with Squid that filter out web
bugs, ads, popups etc (privoxy, dansguardian, squidguard, adzapper).

> Please reply to all so your answer gets sent to my personal email address.

Set thy Reply-To correctly and thy will be done.

> DDaavvee SSnnyyddeerr
> IITTSS -- DDBBAA SSuuppeerrvviissoorr PPDD//FFiinnaannccee//OOGGCC
> iiTTeekk BBuuiillddiinngg -- DDeeaarrbboorrnn -- OOffffiiccee:: WW22FF119977
> PPhhoonnee:: 331133 6622--1166664477 -- FFaaxx:: 331133 220066--33554433 -- PPaaggeerr:: 331133 779955--77889922

I hope this garbage will also vanish if you switch away from Windows. :)

 Christoph

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