help virus?

[Monkeypox]

My sarcasm is meant as no offense to anyone, it is merely a tool I use to
a) state my point in a witty way (especially ones I've repeated many a-time, like Linux),
b) make you (opponent) look stupid to those who aren't good at thinking, and
c) I laugh at my own funnies.

Well you made me laugh.

Do you understand my concerns about open source AV?  The "bad guys"  can get their hands on the sources code, and tailor their malware to exploit any weaknesses.  I know the holes will be patched, but then the bad guys will get the updated code, too.

Just makes me nervous.

[Lucian Solaris]

The good guys will also be looking out for the code of the AV software they use as well, not just the developers.  They can bring up issue with a bug, report it, and they can even patch their own systems BEFORE the project maintainers get a patch written and released!  Try that with Micro$hit!  You can nuke a ZeroDay exploit that is really bad in Linux faster than MS could release a patch for such an exploit in WinBlow$.

It also makes the code's architecture more conservative and secure since the code IS open.

EDIT: mind you this does apply to any free software/open source software.

Well you made me laugh.

Do you understand my concerns about open source AV?  The "bad guys"  can get their hands on the sources code, and tailor their malware to exploit any weaknesses.  I know the holes will be patched, but then the bad guys will get the updated code, too.

Just makes me nervous.

[Lucian Solaris]

I just wanted to say yes I do see your concerns, and I'm just trying to demonstrate that those concerns may be somewhat unfounded.

[Monkeypox]

I just wanted to say yes I do see your concerns, and I'm just trying to demonstrate that those concerns may be somewhat unfounded.

Okely dokely.

[jimwill]

You also have to consider that the hackers can quickly figure a way around even commercial antivirus software - else the manufacturers would not have to keep updating them. About all the rest of us can do is TRY to avoid getting one (not likely, I figure everyone will get at least one virus at some time or other). Firewalls (and knowing how to use them), at least one av program (preferably 2 or 3 if they don't interfere with each other), don't open mail/software from people that you don't know until you have ran a scanner on it...etc. Tends to load a windows machine down to the point that a 100mhz machine without all the load runs better!

Lucian - - can clamav be configured to check thunderbird email? Any links to explaining how, if it is possible?
Thanks guys!

[Lucian Solaris]

If you are talking in Linux, then the best you can do is create your own mailserver and have it scan the e-mails on the server.  I can offer no solution in WinBlow$.  Otherwise you should be safe as Thunderbird does NOT open attachments by default like OE can.  ClamAV should catch a virus at runtime or when a scan leads to the discovery of one.

Remember this isn't fat-ass bloatware, so it's not going to have every bell and whistle as Norton does.  ClamAV is not Norton.

You also have to consider that the hackers can quickly figure a way around even commercial antivirus software - else the manufacturers would not have to keep updating them. About all the rest of us can do is TRY to avoid getting one (not likely, I figure everyone will get at least one virus at some time or other). Firewalls (and knowing how to use them), at least one av program (preferably 2 or 3 if they don't interfere with each other), don't open mail/software from people that you don't know until you have ran a scanner on it...etc. Tends to load a windows machine down to the point that a 100mhz machine without all the load runs better!

Lucian - - can clamav be configured to check thunderbird email? Any links to explaining how, if it is possible?
Thanks guys!

[jimwill]

If you are talking in Linux, then the best you can do is create your own mailserver and have it scan the e-mails on the server.  I can offer no solution in WinBlow$.  Otherwise you should be safe as Thunderbird does NOT open attachments by default like OE can.  ClamAV should catch a virus at runtime or when a scan leads to the discovery of one.

Remember this isn't fat-ass bloatware, so it's not going to have every bell and whistle as Norton does.  ClamAV is not Norton.

Kubuntu - I support the Gates Foundation as little as possible! I'm running KlamAv and it has a mail scan option, but only gives kmail and another one that I don't remember. I like the fact that Thunderbird shows the title, and I can right click the file without opening it, and send it to the junk folder. And, while using windows, I always wondered why programs kept getting bigger and bigger, slower and slower, and did less and less!

[robert5]

Isn't Clam AV open source?  That makes me nervous since the "bad guys"  can get their hands on the AV source code.

 

that is an old argument that was debunked a very long time ago.
that was one of the original topics in a FUD campain that Microsoft started.

seriously, the reason why the GNU applications & the Linux kernel are more secure is because of the open source philosophy. the code is thoroughly scrutinized by many OSS programmers, Distribution maintainers, CERT, CERN, and others. if there is a security issue, a fix is usually available within hours, if not within a couple of days. GNU software usually is a "labor of love", & the programmers who write it usually use good coding practices. i am not saying that open source software is perfect, it is not, but it is of much higher quality than a lot of the software for Microsoft Windows including Windows itself.

one example of this is look at all of the reported compromises & infections on the internet, the vast majority of them are ether consumer PC's running Microsoft Windows or some business running Microsoft IIS server.

another favorite thing that the Microsoft trolls bring up (i am not talking about you, Monkeypox), & has been debunked over and over again is the phrase "Microsoft is attacked more because of their marketshare".
that is far from the truth. believe it or not, there are more Linux servers on the internet than Microsoft. in the Hax00r community, a "captured" Linux server is worth more then a army of botnetted Windows machines. it is also said that the cracker who captures it would be elevated to l33t status. it is very hard (if not impossible) to crack into a properly configured Linux server. it is even harder to crack into a Linux Desktop that is properly configured.
   

[GakunGak]

The reason why it's secure and you get tested software is that only verified releases get into Add/Remove program list [which you tick checkboxes to install/uninstall], so unless you're downloading from an external site, you're ok...