Pissed Off: Why Linux Operating Systems Don’t Need Antivirus Software

by EzekielDiet.com
Posted on Aug 31, 2024

Ezekiel Diet Note: I’ve been using a Linux Operating System (OS) on a Lenova IdeaPad for several years now for personal use.

For business I’m still forced to use Windows 11 OS on an HP laptop using Norton Antivirus. This is because many software programs I need for business, like QuickBooks, won’t work on a Linux machine. Norton Antivirus Software just won’t leave me alone with constant sales prompts to buy more modules. Constant prompts to let them make massive questionable changes to the laptop. Norton’s sales strategy is to sell you using fear they create. I understand Norton also uses a lot of memory and processor resources. As a result I’ve been looking at AVG as a better solution.

While doing some AVG due diligence for the Windows 11 machine I noticed they don’t offer AVG for a Linux OS. I wanted to know why. Once I found out why I became angry.

I believe viruses are welcomed on Microsoft Windows OS. I never realized how easy the virus problem could be solved with some minor changes in the Windows OS.

Here’s what I learned that has me angry. I’ve spent years of stress trying to avoid the virus and malware bogeyman. There’s absolutely no reason why Microsoft OS can’t make it impossible for a virus to load. All they have to do is require authorization by the superuser (root) before any app can be executed. This barrier would make it difficult to impossible for any virus to sneak into the system and make disasters.

Even if someone finds your Linux OS PC unattended and unlocked they can’t load a virus or tracking software without administrator login credentials. I always thought this was an irritating extra step in Linux, but now I believe every operating system should have this feature.

I personally believe this was not a design flaw. It’s an intentional design that leaves your Windows PC front, back and side-doors wide open for any criminal cabal, agency, or petty criminal to walk right in and load anything they need including illegal images or information. Obviously virus and malware software only blocks virus novices, and not criminal agencies.

The bottom line is I’ll stop using the Windows 11 OS for business as soon as possible. Or, I believe I can partition part of a hard-drive as a closed-system (no Internet) for an old Windows 8 OS; for the stray programs I can’t duplicate in Linux OS usable (mostly free or donate) software programs.

Excerpt from: https://linuxiac.com/antivirus-on-linux/

1. Linux is Safe by Design

Above all, we must consider a Linux operating system’s architecture.

The permission-based structure in Linux prevents regular users from performing administrative actions because each app needs authorization by the superuser (root) before it’s executed. This barrier makes it difficult for any virus to sneak into the system and make disasters.

Without being a root, you won’t be able to run/install new programs on Linux. Only the superuser has the privilege to access all files in the system.

Linux does not process executables without explicit permission as this is not a separate and independent process. So you’ll have to chmod +x a file before running it.

On Linux, it is harder for the virus to get system-level access. This is because the root account owns system-related files. Therefore, if infected, viruses can be easily removed as they can only affect the user account where they were installed and do not affect the root account.

In other words, the Linux architecture makes it almost impossible for a virus to do anything. This is one of the main reasons we still don’t need antivirus software on Linux.

2. Software Sources

Think about how software gets installed. On Windows, there is nothing similar to software repositories in Linux, and you can install any application that you find without any guarantee that it is not malicious software.

That makes it a little easier for users to download malware than Linux. All you need to do for viruses and spyware to run is double-click on an infected executable file.

Conversely, all Linux distributions have official repositories, signed and verified applications for proper operation, and do not have vulnerability problems. So, if you only install official applications of the repositories, it is almost impossible for viruses to leak into the system.

In addition, most people using Linux don’t use pirated programs and games that could come packaged with malicious software. Instead, they use their distribution’s official software center and maybe some trusted repositories on top.

3. The Popularity Factor

As you might expect, the volume of malware developed for an operating system is proportionate to its popularity.

Linux isn’t typically a prime target for cyber-criminals. Windows and macOS are more widely adopted, and virus authors prioritize these operating systems since they are more likely to cause widespread damage.

According to StatCounter, all Linux distributions are used only by about 2% of the population for desktop usage.

Malicious software creators usually do what they do for either fame or money. From their perspective, it’s better if they target the most popular platforms.

So why spend their time focusing on Linux when Windows would be easier to exploit and produce better results?

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