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    Scan Windows viruses in Linux

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by zephyrus17, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    Can ClamAV scan Windows viruses as well? If not, what virus scanner can scan both Linux and Windows viruses?
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 25, 2008
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  2. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    ClamAV? Well, I don't know if it's the same, but ClamWin does.
     
    pixelot, Oct 25, 2008
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  3. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    I think it's the same, since it's all "Clam"s, but I need a program that will scan for viruses in Linux so when I bring the item to Windows, there won't be a hidden virus lurking to pounce.

    Here's a silly question, downloading an item in Linux won't kill the virus if it's a Windows virus, right?
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 25, 2008
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  4. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    You may find this article of some use. I didn't really read through it all. :eek:
     
    pixelot, Oct 26, 2008
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  5. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    Nice. What about ClamAV?
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 26, 2008
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  6. zoryfl

    zoryfl Notebook Enthusiast

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    I found this on the great ubuntuusers wiki germany:
    Translation (analogous):
    I think this is the answer your question.
     
    zoryfl, Oct 26, 2008
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  7. wraithe

    wraithe Notebook Enthusiast

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    Rofl,
    Sorry had to write that...
    Virus's are written for win, havent actually heard of one written for a mac os yet...
    Linux has a closed permission system, which pretty much makes any bug like a virus, trojan etc not a problem, they just cant do anything.,..
    The biggest wrecker of linux is usually the user when running as root(su)...

    clamav, clamwin scans for any bugs, ie like those ones that destroy windows...either scanned from linux or win, it dont matter...
    Scanning linux is for protecting windows users, ie if you happen to forward an email that contains a trojan, you wont even know its there, it has no power on linux, but once forwarded and your friend opens the email, boom there in trouble...
    so running an antivirus in linux is not a necessity but is a wise move to protect the people you write to...
     
    wraithe, Oct 26, 2008
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  8. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    That's good to hear. The virus scanner program that pixelot linked to had some kind of payment program, while I didn't investigate what that was about, I'm staying away from that.

    I'll download ClamAV now. Thanks for all you guys' help!
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 26, 2008
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  9. jas

    jas Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes. ClamAV will certainly find any virus in its database on your Linux partitions that you scan. ClamAV uses a single db for scanning, which is used by Linux, Windows, and even OSX, virus scanners. The virus database contains virus signatures for all types of virii, the majority of which are Windows system based. This means you need to be running a Windows OS for the virus to replicate and infect other files. However, just because you download the infected file onto a Linux system, doesn't mean the Windows virus has been removed. It just won't replicate and infect other files, until you run it under Windows.

    I don't worry about transferring Windows virus infected files from my Linux to my Windows system, because I rarely pass files in that direction. I do however use ClamAV running under Linux to regularly scan my Windows partitions for virii there. As long as you mount the drive and have permissions to read it, ClamAV running under Linux can find the same virii on your Windows volumes too.

    Good Luck..
     
    jas, Oct 26, 2008
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  10. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    After I install it, is it all automated? Or does it only scan when I tell it to?
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 26, 2008
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  11. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    Sorry, I never looked at it. I have ClamWin Portable, and it has no payment. :eek: Besides, I hardly ever use it, as I use AVG 8 Free.
     
    pixelot, Oct 26, 2008
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  12. zephyrus17

    zephyrus17 Notebook Deity

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    I use AVG8Free as well. It's so brilliant. But I've been using Ad-Aware with that as well. Does AVG and Ad-aware overlap?
     
    zephyrus17, Oct 26, 2008
    #12