Myth 6: Linux Eliminates The Need For Antivirus Software
It is true that malware targets Linux far less frequently than Windows. Some attribute this to the Linux market share being too small to be an attractive target.
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But that's mostly conjecture. There are plenty of valid, verifiable technical reasons why Linux makes life so difficult for malware developers. Besides, if the Linux server market is any indication, the Linux desktop market has a long way to grow before it crosses the magical threshold that will supposedly bring malware attacks out of the woodwork.
Most Linux systems, however, communicate with non-Linux systems that are highly vulnerable to malware. A Linux mail server -- or a Linux desktop e-mail client, for that matter -- can pass along a message with an infected attachment just as easily as a Windows system. A Linux system is as good a place as any for catching and killing malware before it can claim other victims, regardless of operating system.
Installing Linux antivirus software also ensures that your business is protected against a malware developer's best weapon: complacency. This may not sound like a very compelling reason to deploy antivirus software, but it can help set the tone for your company's overall approach to computer security.
Finally, it certainly can't hurt that a number of quality, no-cost, open-source Linux antivirus tools are available for both servers and desktop environments. Remember: The only way to deal responsibly with malware is to assume the worst and then plan accordingly.
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Go to Matthew McKenzie's Open Source Blog
Matthew McKenzie is an Athens, Ga.-based freelance journalist who has covered open-source software and other business IT issues for more than a decade. He has worked as an editor and contributor for leading industry publications including CNET, PC World, InformationWeek, and Computerworld.com.
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