[ale] Virus scan

Transam transam at verysecurelinux.com
Mon Dec 16 16:59:24 EST 2002


On Mon, Dec 16, 2002 at 09:07:41AM -0500, Mike Millson wrote:
> Is it recommended or common practice to run virus scan software on linux
> production servers (e.g. a web server)? I stopped running virus software on
> my windows desktops about 3 years ago because the virus software itself was
> like a virus - buggy, slowing the machine down, causing other apps to crash.
> I found the virus protection program's ill affects didn't outweigh the
> possible benefits and have never considered them since. Should I be
> considering something like f-prot?

It is critical to ensure that nobody can inject viruses or Trojans on
any server where uploads are possible.  Samba servers are at particular
risk.  Linux Web servers and Mail servers frequently are at risk too.
Even if the virus or Trojan is against only Windows, the Linux system can
be a "carrier" for it, passing it on to other Windows systems.

Yes, I run Virus scanners and Virus mail filters on the appropriate Linux
servers with excellent results.  I have seen no buggyness, performance hits,
or problems with other software.

> Mike

Bob Toxen
bob at verysecurelinux.com                [Please use for email to me]
http://www.verysecurelinux.com         [Network&Linux/Unix security consulting]
Quality Linux & UNIX security and SysAdmin & software consulting since 1990.

"Microsoft: Unsafe at any clock speed!"
   -- Bob Toxen 10/03/2002
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