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Does linux need some form of antivirus?
(hexbear.net)
and if so any suggestions? i have like 6 on my windows 
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this post was submitted on 06 Jun 2024
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Generally no. If you are installing software from trusted sources (I.e. your distribution's package repository) and applying security updates in a timely manner, there is very little to worry about. If you are processing untrusted files and forwarding them to third parties (I.e. you're running a mail server) there are tools like ClamAV to check for KNOWN viruses.
It is entirely possible to install viruses if you are running software from untrusted sources. This includes viruses designed for Windows by running sketchy things in Wine/Proton. These are compatibility layers, and if they are working correctly that includes compatibility with malware. Isolation is explicitly not a design goal of these projects. If you run a Windows ransomeware in Wine, you WILL lose your data. If you run a naive Limewire worm in Wine, Limewire WILL autostart and spread the worm.
Always be careful with pirated software. It doesn't hurt to run ClamAV on a torrent before trying to use it.
How effective is something like virtual box at isolating windows?
It's not impossible for malware running in a type 2 hypervisor like Virtual Box to do a guest-to-host attack, but those attacks are pretty specialized and most viruses aren't going to affect the host system.