Contrary to what some would think, Linux PCs need antivirus protection just as much as other operating systems do. You must have known that beforehand, though, because you’re here, right? To get right to the point, which Linus antivirus program is ideal? The type of use you have in mind for your Linux machine—personal, file server, business, etc.—determines the answer. Here are the best Linux antivirus protection programs that we tested after researching and evaluating all of the available options.
Linux Antivirus
Numerous digital infrastructures rely on Linux as their foundational platform. This includes, but is not limited to, web applications, smart home systems, cloud servers, and web host servers. Since Linux is the operating system of choice for every top-tier supercomputer on Earth, it must be pretty powerful, right? 1 Despite this, selecting antivirus software to safeguard data and files from malware remains a challenge for many Linux end-users. We have responded by compiling a list of the top antivirus programs for Linux and Linux-based systems, suitable for home, office, and enterprise use.
Best Linux Antivirus
We have approved ESET, Bitdefender, Avast, Kaspersky, and McAfee.
My research has led me to conclude that there are five top-tier antivirus programs for Linux after having tested twenty or more. All of these options are compatible with the most popular Linux distributions, have high rates of malware detection, and protect you from the most recent threats in real time.
#1. Bitdefender
The best cloud antivirus solution for Linux is Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools.
With its on-access and on-demand scanning capabilities, Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools (BEST) for Linux—also known as GravityZone—protects the majority of Linux operating systems from malware. The following popular distributions are compatible with it:
- Enterprise Red Hat
- Linux Kernel
- Debian Ubuntu Suse
- OpenSUSE
- Oracle Software
Bitdefender for Linux has an intuitive GUI that everyone can use. Installing it on my Ubuntu computer was a breeze. To configure it for my system, I just opened my terminal and ran a few commands. After I got it all set up, I could scan files, see quarantined files, and review security events using the command-line interface.
#2. McAfee Endpoint
The best business antivirus for Linux systems is McAfee Endpoint Security.
Enterprise, small-scale, and multi-user networks can all benefit from the powerful security features offered by McAfee Endpoint Protection for Linux. You can use it with these major distributions:
Notable Qualities:
- Accurate rates of malware detection.
- Works with many different distributions.
- computational power and an artificial intelligence engine that runs on the cloud.
- Includes a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible through the web.
Your Linux systems are safeguarded from new online and offline dangers with the help of McAfee Endpoint Security’s top-notch anti-malware engine. You can test it out risk-free for 60 days on as many as five PCs and networks. Depending on your requirements, you can request a quote once the free trial ends.
#3. Sophos is an Ultra-Light Linux Home Security Suite
A lightweight Linux antivirus is available for home users from Sophos. To detect harmful actions, including zero-day assaults, it employs sophisticated heuristic protection algorithms in conjunction with a signature-based malware detection system.
On a Linux system, Sophos is simple to use. With Sophos’ web-based platform (Sophos Central), managing your protection is a breeze. And if you’re more of a techie, you can always utilize the command-line interface. With Sophos Anti-Virus, you can rest assured that no malicious files will be accessible when you open, save, or copy files.
Notable Qualities:
- Allows for scanning in real-time and on-demand
- Heuristic security system with advanced capabilities.
- Works with many different distributions.
- Includes a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible through the web.
#4. ClamAV
A free and open-source antivirus program for Linux called ClamAV
Download the free and open-source antivirus software ClamAV for Linux. Trojans, worms, rootkits, malicious programs, and viruses are only some of the types of malware it safeguards against. The following popular distributions are compatible with ClamAV’s cross-platform solution:
Notable Qualities:
- Safeguarding your email.
- Scan anytime, anywhere, with on-demand scanning.
- Works with many different distributions.
- Scanner daemon with multiple threads
Automatic signature updates, on-access scanning, mail scanning, command-line tools for on-demand file scanning, and a multi-threaded scanner daemon are all features of ClamAV. Although not as powerful as some of its competitors, its malware scanner was able to identify more than 90% of malware samples in my tests. As an example, Bitdefender identified and blocked every single threat on my computer.
#5. Dr.Web Security
Linux’s Dr.Web security Space Is Great for Protecting Workstations
Notable Qualities:
- Signature and heuristic analysis
- Safeguarding the network.
- It works with many different distributions
- Secure your email against viruses.
- The interface is available in both graphical and command-line modes.
An antivirus engine for Linux that runs in the cloud is available with Dr.Web Security Space for Linux. It follows the same pattern as premium antivirus software, using signature analysis to identify known threats and heuristic analysis to discover undiscovered dangers through the monitoring of suspicious actions. Many distributions and server-side options are compatible with Dr.Web Security, including:
Antivirus engines and Dr. Web virus databases offer almost flawless protection from malware. Viruses, trojans, worms, adware, and other threats were identified and removed during my testing. This includes threats that infect boot records and mail files.
5 Simple Steps to Installing and Using an Antivirus on Linux
- Pick the right antivirus program for your Linux home or office system based on the type of equipment you have.
- If you only require protection for a single device, ClamAV should be sufficient; however, if you require protection for multiple devices, Bitdefender is a better option.
- Join a plan to join a plan, go to the website of the For the best endpoint security, I suggest Bitdefender’s suite of products.
- The first step is to download the client software from the AV website’s dashboard and then set it up. Get in touch with support if you require any kind of technical help.
- Run the client application. Launch the command-line interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) on your local device. From your central administration dashboard, you can configure policies for the various endpoints or conduct scans.
How to Test and Rank The Best Antiviruses for Linux
The methods you can use to evaluate and rate the top Linux Antiviruses
#1. Effective Antivirus Software
If you’re using Linux, you may be certain that every antivirus program tested had a 100% success rate in detecting threats.
#2. Fast Scanning Speeds
If you use a Linux-based antivirus that requires too much processing power, you may notice slowdowns. So, for your Linux-based devices, make sure to choose an antivirus program that uses very little CPU power and has quick scanning options.
#3. Bonus Features
Not only can a good Linux antivirus protect against malware, but it also has additional security features like email protection. Email filters are included with all of the Linux-based antivirus solutions that I’ve chosen. Their purpose is to protect you from malicious emails, spam, and phishing attempts. Customizable features such as on-demand scanning and firewall protection are also available.
#4. Major Distro Compatibility
Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, SUSE, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise, and Oracle are just a few of the major Linux distributions that are compatible with the antivirus software on this list.
#5. Ease of Use
To start scans and manage other processes, many Linux antiviruses only provide a command-line interface (CLI), which is not very user-friendly. My selections include those that provide a command-line interface (CLI), a web-based dashboard, or a desktop GUI
Linux Antivirus Programs
Here we will discuss the top five free antivirus programs available for Linux computers.
#1. ClamAV
For Linux computers, there is a free and open-source anti-virus toolkit called ClamAV (Clam AntiVirus) that can identify trojans, viruses, malware, and other harmful threats.
Scanning files for patterns that match known malware signatures is how ClamAV operates on a signature-based detection strategy. Continuously updating these signatures allows for the detection and mitigation of new threats. Some of ClamAV’s most famous features are:
- It’s compatible with Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, and more platforms.
- portable, POSIX-compliant
- Simplified setup and operation
- Performs most of their work using the command line
- Works with Linux exclusively and supports on-access scanning
- provides an updated virus database
It has built-in support for several archive formats, including Zip, Tar, 7Zip, and Rar, and it can scan compressed files and archives (and prevent archive bombs).
#2. ChkrootKit
One open-source security scanner that can detect known rootkits on Linux and other Unix-like systems is ChkrootKit. It’s free and open-source.
It is a small utility that checks your computer for rootkits, which are dangerous malware that can take over a system without the owner’s knowledge.
#3. Comodo AntiVirus for Linux
When it comes to email filtering and antivirus software, Comodo is hard to beat. Comodo Anti-Virus for Linux provides top-notch virus protection along with a completely customizable anti-spam system. Some of the features of Comodo Anti-Virus program for Linux are:
- Put it in and leave it alone; it will provide reliable virus protection without any bothersome false alerts.
- Delivers proactive security against viruses and blocks all known threats.
- Automatic updates that provide the latest virus protection are optional.
- Includes a scan scheduler, an in-depth event viewer, and the ability to create personalized scan profiles.
- It gives a mail filter that works with several MTAs, including Postfix, Qmail, Sendmail, and Exim.
Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and openSUSE are all supported by the installation packages of Comodo Antivirus for Linux. From the download page, pick the Linux distribution package that corresponds to your system.
#4. Linux Users: F-PROT
Free and robust, F-PROT antivirus software is ideal for home or personal usage on Linux desktops.
Created to efficiently eliminate virus-infesting Linux workstations, it provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of malware, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, and more.
Some of its outstanding qualities are listed below:
- It is compatible with Linux x86 systems running either 32 or 64 bits.
- More than 21,199,58 distinct viruses and their variations are scanned.
- It can use cron to execute scans at predetermined intervals.
- Drives, directories, CDs, diskettes, network drives, and individual files are all scanned.
- In addition, it can detect and remove Trojan horses, macroviruses, and boot sector viruses.
#5. RookKit Hunter
On Linux and Unix-based systems, Rootkit Hunter can detect and identify rootkits, backdoors, and other potentially harmful software. It is an open-source security monitoring and analysis application for POSIX-compliant systems.
Does Linux Need an Antivirus?
Despite popular belief to the contrary, antivirus software is essential for Linux PCs.
Is Antivirus Worth It for Linux?
Yes, to put it briefly. Linux may be known for its security, but it is still vulnerable to the same kinds of attacks that affect Windows and other operating systems.
Is Avast Antivirus for Linux?
For small and medium organizations seeking the finest protection for their Linux servers, Avast Business Antivirus for Linux is a suitable standalone antivirus solution.
How Do I Enable Antivirus on Linux?
The Policies tab can be found in the workspace. To access the Properties window for the Light Agent for Linux policy, double-click on it in the list of policies. Find the File Anti-Virus section on the left side of the policy properties box and click on it.
Is Linux More Secure Than Windows?
So, to put it simply, Linux’s security is top-notch and outshines Windows’. Their approaches to permissions are one of the most distinguishing features of these OSes. Unlike Linux, Windows automatically grants users administrative privileges.
How to Detect Viruses on Linux?
When it comes to identifying viral infestations on Linux computers, ClamAV is a popular and user-friendly application. Ubuntu and Fedora are among the numerous Linux distributions that it is compatible with; it is also free and open source.
- HOW TO REMOVE VIRUS FROM IPHONE: Simple & Effective Methods
- WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION: Definition, Benefits, Examples & More
- MALWARE ANALYSIS: Definition, Types & The Stages(
- HOW TO CREATE A FILE IN LINUX: EASY Guide
Reference
