What antivirus programs are available?
What antivirus programs are available for Ubuntu?
We previously used Symantec Endpoint Protection but it does not work in Ubuntu.
Solution 1:
As an alternative to proprietary antivirus solutions like Symantec AntiVirus (non-free payware) and Avast AntiVirus (non-free freeware), you might consider ClamAV, which is free open source software. You can get it in Ubuntu by installing the clamav package. If you want a GUI for it, you can install clamtk. You can install packages in the Software Center or using apt-get from the command line as others have suggested (as well as other methods).
Solution 2:
Its good to install anti-virus if you are dual booting or sometimes scan infected pen drives. The best option will be to use free Bit-defender for Linux. You must be knowing that Bit-defender one of the best or the best.
Link: Antivirus for Linux - Bitdefender Antivirus Scanner for Unices
Go To this link and choose 'Request a Free License (for personal use only)' from left hand side menu. You have to fill a form for license and they will send you a key and location to download anti-virus for your system.
After downloading:
Open terminal and go to location where you downloaded.
Make executable and change permission (You can use full name also I used asterisk alternatively)
chmod u+x BitDefender-Antivirus-Scanner*
Install (You can use full name also I used asterisk alternatively)
sudo ./BitDefender-Antivirus-Scanner*
The License page will open in terminal. Keep pressing space-bar till you reach end and than it will ask you to ACCEPT it. Just write
accept
And Press ENTER
Finally it will ask if you want to install GUI pack as well. Write
y
And press enter
Run it like any other application on Ubuntu. When you open it there will be an option to 'SET A NEW KEY' press it and copy the key you got in E-mail.
Bit-defender will be up and running with an year license and don't forget to Update it. There is an option in program to do so automatically.
Solution 3:
July 22 2019: Avast for Linux seems to have been discontinued.
You can use Avast for Linux.
You can download it free from the Avast for Linux web page.
Solution 4:
This is an updated list of antivirus softwares available (Only for Linux)
-
ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Linux – Best for New Linux Users (Home)
-
Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security – Best for Businesses
-
Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Linux – Best for Hybrid IT Environments (Business)
-
Sophos Antivirus for Linux – Best for File Servers (Home + Business)
-
Comodo Antivirus for Linux – Best for Home Users on Older releases
-
F-Secure Linux Security – Best for Intrusion Detection (Business)
-
ClamAV - Good (Free and open source)
-
avast - Best for all purposes and all devices (Paid for all os(I personally use)
Conclusion
Why do I need anti-virus software?
You are required to have a virus scanner installed by the terms of use of the company you work for or are doing business with. To scan files locally, over your network, or going outside your network. For example, via email. Windows viruses may potentially run via Wine. Discovered GNU/Linux malware are mitigated.
Reasons Linux is less prone to malware Programs are run as normal user, not root user Open source - more eyes on the system source code Diverse system configurations Less malware actors overall focus on linux. However, proficient malware actors do target linux.
source for conclusion
Solution 5:
I have learned about the existence of
-
rkhunter(packages.ubuntu.com link) and -
chrootkit(packages.ubuntu.com link)
packages from @KevinBerry's question, where he inquired what packages people use in 2021 beyond these; but then his question got closed as a duplicate of this question, so it couldn't garner any answers.
I don't have any experience with these packages, but I think it's important that they are being mentioned.