1912
Well that didn't go as expected...
(programming.dev)
For those who are wondering, yes, Wine is malware compatible so be careful about the EXEs you run!
no matter what os you use you can get viruses on linux and macos the chanche is slimmer because they have a smaller user base. the only way to not get viruses is to use your brain. for those who don't know there are linux viruses and you can get them if you don't pay attention
People say this but I don't think it's true. The vast majority of internet servers run on Linux and they are much higher-value targets than your laptop. It is more secure than windows, not just because of the smaller user base. However you're right of course that you can still get viruses.
The other counterpoint is Mac OS 9 and earlier. Had a minority of the user share, had a ton of viruses.
Those servers have teams of trained individuals whose job is to secure them and keep them bulletproof. It's a bit different from grandma downloading random crap on her Linux mint desktop to be fair.
Sure, I agree with that - although you might be surprised how many of them don't. But that's kind of the point, web servers are massive targets for virus development, and yet even grandma's Linux Mint still doesn't get viruses that often.
Which part are you saying isn't true?
That the lack of Linux viruses is mostly/specifically due to lower user base. It's probably a factor but I don't think it's the primary reason.
Did you read the thread you just replied to? Most of the internet, hundreds of millions (probably trillions but I'm being conservative) of servers, all run Linux. Linux is a minority on desktop computers, yes, but it's a majority of computers on the planet. For every one or two computers an individual might have there are a multitude of servers (that's not just base servers but all the virtual servers, docker containers, IOT, and mobile devices). 10's of these per person if not hundreds. All linux. Your argument that it's a smaller user base is patently false. You're using linux right now and don't even know it.
Pretty sure that is what they are saying. They are the one who initially said that in this thread. I read them saying lower user base as meaning a lower desktop user base, which you acknowledge. Or maybe you're responding to the wrong person.
I see your point. I did not catch the proper context given your comment prior. That's my bad. Thanks for pointing that out and being gentle with me. Disregard my comment. Going to leave it in case someone who does think that way happens upon it.