Just because you use Linux, it doesn't mean your computer doesn't have viruses or worms. Virus is a catch-all phrase, and BitDefender's designed to catch them all - from executable viruses, script viruses, macro viruses, to backdoors, trojans, spyware, adware, diallers, and more.

Often, even if we do catch a virus, it's not so difficult to eradicate it using installed anti-virus—but if your system has been crippled, try using Linux to scan the drive for viruses instead. As any Linux veteran knows, one of Linux's greatest uses is fixing unbootable drives—recovering files, deleting files, and even killing viruses.

In the most part, Linux is engineered in a fashion that makes it hard for viruses to run. Also, because more PCs currently run Windows, it is more worthwhile writing viruses for the Windows platform. However, there are many reasons you might want a virus scanner on your Linux PC:

Why I stay away from Windows? --One of the main reasons is security, or the lack of it. Windows operating system is simply far more vulnerable to viruses and worms compared to Linux or Mac OS X. I don’t want to explain further or start a debate here, but I’ll just let this all time list of 12 most devastating viruses and worms do the talking.

After having travelled through the virus infested land of Windows, new Linux converts often have queries about viruses on their Linux systems. Here I will demystify all those queries related to Viruses, Antivirus software’s etc once & for all.

Viruses. They happen to almost everyone. If they don’t happen to you, it’ll be your cousin Stan who get joins the malware-of-the-month club, and you’re the only person he knows who can fix a computer. The problem is, things are so screwed up that Windows won’t even start properly.

Historically, there have been some [gnu/linux effecting viruses]. And there are browser exploits, of course, that no operating system is completely immune from. However, viruses, as we think of them in the Windows world, are highly unusual.

There’s seems to be a lot of confusion regarding viruses, the security of Unix based OSs, even in more tech savvy groups. So, what’s the deal with viruses and Linux?

While there is no excuse for inattention and lack of knowledge, the fact is that there are Linux virus's (viruses, virii?) and there will be more.