Estimates vary, but generally it is believed that there are 100 to 500 Linux viruses out there. The tiny number of Linux viruses that do exist have never resulted in a significant outbreak. In comparison to the plethora of viruses and worms in Windows-based platforms, the volume of Linux viruses is insignificant. So this leads us to two questions: why are there so few Linux viruses and are Linux anti-virus tools necessary?

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.

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?

In our cosy *nix world we don't suffer from viruses, or rather we didn't. But thanks to an amazing piece of reverse engineering we have SAMBA. What this means is that we can have viruses by proxy if any Linux network we deploy has Windows workstations...

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.

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.

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.

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.

When I started using Linux one of the things that got my attention initially was reading that there were no viruses in Linux, which was quite a departure from Windows ways. I was always curious about that... How could it be?