Author Topic: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!  (Read 28579 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« on: March 24, 2013, 10:16:13 AM »
Due to some comments to the contrary I'm happy to announce that Avast for linux has not been abandoned.
Even more exciting is the fact that 'sometime' it will be updated.  ;)

Links of interest:


http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=117316.msg908893#msg908893

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=117316.msg910432#msg910432

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=116665.msg905152#msg905152

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=116665.msg905174#msg905174

Hope this clears up any misunderstanding.  :)


Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2013, 08:24:14 AM »
Bump !  :)

eldapo

  • Guest
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2013, 02:28:38 PM »
So why are the links to the .deb and .rpm files unpublished on the main site, exactly?


Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2013, 04:18:44 PM »
I'm not sure why mainly people using a certain type of Linux are so intent on not understanding.

This is a simple free Windows Anti Virus scanner, for Linux.

All you have to do is look for the helpful tips that have been posted in this sub forum for the linux User.

Whether the URL for a download to the scanner is of little importance to the Avast! company, a determined person with genuine needs will read in this forum and come across the links.

For example: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=117316.msg908893#msg908893
Seems it's not being supported anymore: www.avast.com/download-software#tab1
Is it correct?

In my honest opinion it was not. I think site just needs updating.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=116665.0

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=91887.0

OR maybe since we have excellent install tutorials and we are smarter then the average bears we do not need a fancy download page and we do not need to be told to click "Next", "Next", "Next", "Next", "Finish", "Reboot Now" ;D

Why would they drop the Linux support?

Both .deb and .rpm file are still available if You want them.

I don't understand why would You think that? There was no "We are dropping Linux" announcement.

Regards.

Andrzej
Seems it's not being supported anymore: www.avast.com/download-software#tab1
Is it correct?
We are preparing new version. I heard something about 1 week, but don't be disappointed it it take more time ;-).

Milos

It's obvious the Avast! company is in no hurry to provide, or develop this, cute little scanner; however if you perservere you will have it. Shame it's not real simple, but such is life I'm afraid.  :P

MAG

  • Guest
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2013, 04:50:38 PM »


This is a simple free Windows Anti Virus scanner, for Linux.



It appears that it (and quite few other AV products) can also detect at least some Linux malware.
https://www.virustotal.com/file/854dac8b4616c1b4174dc01796174a2bd7002f6d99e39efad92ca74efe4cf2e1/analysis/
Very few other instances to be found - probably because there's precious little linux malware around :).


Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2013, 09:14:35 AM »
Lets just go over this, and be done, at least I will be.  ;)

Blog: The Topic of AV Being Useless (+ knowing how VirusTotal actually works)     
Quote
" Posted by SecResponse - F-Secure

I have lately been following and participating in discussions as to whether or not antivirus products are useless and just waste of money. And as I am employed by F-Secure, my position on the matter may be rather obvious. But rather than going on with the same tired argument, I would like to shine some attention to some common patterns and misconceptions that repeat themselves in almost all discussions.

Pattern 1: Someone tries to use VirusTotal scan results as an argument.

VirusTotal is a very useful system for getting initial information about some particular sample but it does not give reliable indication about performance of various antivirus products. The folks at VirusTotal themselves know this, and they do not like their system being abused in bad research. In fact, VT has declared this for years already in their section about page. See the section called — BAD IDEA: VirusTotal for antivirus/URL scanner testing.

From VT: BAD IDEA: VirusTotal for antivirus/URL scanner testing

At VirusTotal we are tired of repeating that the service was not designed as a tool to perform antivirus comparative analyses, but as a tool that checks suspicious samples with several antivirus solutions and helps antivirus labs by forwarding them the malware they fail to detect. Those who use VirusTotal to perform antivirus comparative analyses should know that they are making many implicit errors in their methodology, the most obvious being:

    VirusTotal's antivirus engines are commandline versions, so depending on the product, they will not behave exactly the same as the desktop versions: for instance, desktop solutions may use techniques based on behavioural analysis and count with personal firewalls that may decrease entry points and mitigate propagation, etc."


http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002482.html

https://www.virustotal.com/about/

I'm afraid this little ol' Avast4Linux scanner just scans for and picks up Windows' Viruses.

I'm certain of this as Alwil Software uses it's Windows Virus DB.

This doesn't mean there is not Malware for Linux, but the chance of getting hit but one of the 50 or less Linux Viruses is slim. Most likely less than 50.
Raising an expectation that we may find lLinux virus with Avast4Linux scanner is wrong.
But of course there's much more to it than my generalization.  ;)

Some of many discussions on Linux Forums asked about Linux, and Viruses.
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,106246.msg907747.html#msg907747
Quote
"...linux has virus but are very very few, less than 50, probably alot less than that and you need to be a target, for example be a server connected to the internet with important information that someone would want to attack, steal or damage, also you have to be running the os as root, full administrator privileges connected to internet or copy binaries or applications from internet that you don't know who did and could be a security risk

when you run with user privileges, as you should always do, you can't run any binary or app you find form internet without some basic knowledge and those apps can't do whatever they want because they need to use the privileges you have and if you are user, the apps can't do much to harm the system and as you see, this is not a simple situation compared to a windows pc where all you need to do is open a weird website to get a virus, rootkit, scamware, spyware or any other weird wonderful thing

in linux you can find avg for linux, avast and other commercial antivirus apps for free or paid versions

the problem with those is that those are meant to be used against windows virus and you are on linux so all you do is protect others from a possible virus you could copy to them

basically have a antivirus on linux is a waste of resources for around 95% of the users "

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,101287.msg861762.html#msg861762
Quote
"...No, paranoia just confuses you. Knowing about how to correctly (if not completely) secure your machine is what would put your doubts to rest. Hang on to this uncertainty and it will certainly do nothing good for you.

Read up, search, ask for expert advice on the forum ... no, viruses, malware and trojans won't be of any good even if you save them on your hard disk. Only stupid Linux users would login as root, download a dubious, unknow binary from the Internet and run it with all root privileges. We don't do that here. We don't download RPMS from unknow sources on the Internet ... and we certainly DO NOT LOGIN AS ROOT."

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,106246.msg907843.html#msg907843
Quote
"...I am not responsible for Windows users. It is their responsibility to run antivirus software. I'm not to blame if they get a virus from a file I pass on to them. I do not run antivirus software, because there are NO viruses in the wild for Linux. The only viruses that do exist for Linux are proof-of-concept instances that are only effective if you hold your mouth a certain way, stand on your head and spin around 4.5 times while singing nursery rhymes."
*How can I install AVG antivirus for linux?
Quote
"...You are not in the Windows world anymore and there are no Linux viruses in the wild, or otherwise.
All attempts to create a Linux virus as "proof of concept" have also failed, in that they required active participation from the root user to install, and even then, failed to propagate.
You may believe that as Linux gains popularity there will be viruses magically appearing, but you are wrong. There's a better chance that Santa Claus will drop down your chimney to give you presents, the Easter Bunny will drop off a basket of colored eggs, or the Tooth Fairy will pay for, and come collect your lost teeth, than you will get a Linux virus.

If you insist on installing AVG, use the RPM package they provide. Unless you plan to use it to scan email to be forwarded to Windows computers, you'll find it a waste of time, effort, and resources."

How can I install AVG antivirus for linux?
Quote
"...Have you checked AVG and how many 'signatures' it has for Linux viruses?

AVG, or any other such antivirus application does not protect Linux.

If your prediction comes true, in maybe 10 or 20 years time (or more), then I guess AVG and the like will adjust the capabilities of the application.


Until then ....  it is a waste of resources to have it installed, thinking it somehow can or will protect Linux."

Please excuse my seemingly overwhelming response, but I'm tired of trying to please people who just because they have heard of a proof of concept virus for Linux, there exists a huge amount of viruses. This is not so, plus it scares people who want to use Linux for the first time !

Bad usage of the Security Systems in Linux is the only way you will get hacked, and maybe be injected with a Trojan, but this is such a difficult Operation that you would have to be a very important Linux Server, or Organisation to warrant such effort.

Viruses attack Windows.

When you use an AV for Linux it scans only for Windows viruses, as a courtesy that you don't Email your Windows friends something (Virus) they didn't want.  ;)

I'm just simply trying to Educate. I have nothing to gain from saying there are not any Viruses for Linux. I am in no way targetting anyone, I am targetting misleading comments, which people new to Linux may be discouraged.  ;)

The reference to AVG was just as it was a topic in a thread with further information.

I'm done; if you are scared of Viruses, and want to use Linux believing you are walking into a War, similar to using Windows, I'd advise not using Linux.   ;)
 
As said in a quote above; "paranoia just confuses you."
"Hang on to this uncertainty and it will certainly do nothing good for you."

Regards,

Abraxas
« Last Edit: March 29, 2013, 09:44:46 AM by Abraxas »

MAG

  • Guest
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2013, 01:09:04 PM »
Short reply to a long reply to a short post.

I was just pointing up what seemed an oddity - that so many windows AVs should detect a linux trojan.

Still does seem an oddity.

pax vobiscum



Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2013, 03:43:13 PM »
Shame you didn't read some of the post, not that it was a reply specifically at you mag,... but to all the one of post "Linux Users" who pop in to have a bit of fun rubbishing Avast!4Linux. Goodness knows why ?

My work is done here.

Quote
"Those who use VirusTotal to perform antivirus comparative analyses should know that they are making many implicit errors in their methodology,..."

http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00002482.html

https://www.virustotal.com/about/

Quote
Short reply to a long reply to a short post.
Yeah ? It felt and looked like a large body of work to me.

'pax vobiscum' right back at you --

Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2013, 06:15:16 PM »
It is confusing I know, as the link to avast4linuxworkstation now takes you to the main download page of Avast! (for Windows).  :o
However:
Seems it's not being supported anymore: www.avast.com/download-software#tab1
Is it correct?
We are preparing new version. I heard something about 1 week, but don't be disappointed it it take more time ;-).

Milos

In the meantime hardcore users can find avast4linuxworkstation at below links, plus Andrzej's Wordpress site Tutorial:
Quote
http://sparewotw.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/avast-antivirus-home-edition-on-pclinuxos-2011-6/

First we need to download a copy of it (it’s legal if You are using it at home on a non-commercial machines. For more info read the Terms and Conditions).

Open konsole and issue this command:


wget -c http://files.avast.com/files/linux/avast4workstation-1.3.0-1.i586.rpm

More Live Links:

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.msg527512#msg527512

avast! Linux Edition (RPM): http://files.avast.com/files/linux/avast4workstation-1.3.0-1.i586.rpm
avast! Linux Edition (DEB): http://files.avast.com/files/linux/avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb
avast! Linux Edition (TAR GZ): http://files.avast.com/files/linux/avast4workstation-1.3.0.tar.gz

Enjoy !

Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
  • Certainly Bot
  • *
  • Posts: 67194
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2013, 01:26:37 PM »
Contrary to rumors, Avast4Linux is very much available to Linux users.  :)
Available? Sure. Being developed and improved? ???
The best things in life are free.

Offline Abraxas

  • Avast Evangelist
  • Advanced Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 730
  • Perseverance Furthers...
    • PCLinuxOS-Forums
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2013, 05:43:50 AM »
Seems it's not being supported anymore: www.avast.com/download-software#tab1
Is it correct?
We are preparing new version. I heard something about 1 week, but don't be disappointed it it take more time ;-).

Milos

Personally as I only use Linux I don't have any Malware problems, never get a Virus (Never did when I ran Windows either ) , being one of the Senior Forum Support Volunteers Tech, I get the fact that you're not impressed with the current version of Avast! for Linux.

1.) Although the current version is not impressive, it is a AV Scanner.
2.) Personally, I use Linux, and I don't get Viruses for that System. For a bit of protection for my friends using Windows, and the general Internet, I scan my Linux Operating System if I remember each fortnight, or month, just so I'm not passing any Windows Viruses (.exe) which is more a courtesy than anything.
3.) Tech you are not doing the cause any good by rubbishing the Avast! 4 Linux scanner. Use your years of good faith on the Forum, and get people in the Avast! Organisation moving towards upgrading the AV for Linux rather than whinging here, were no one hears you.

Regards, 

Tony.

Offline Lisandro

  • Avast team
  • Certainly Bot
  • *
  • Posts: 67194
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2013, 02:22:51 PM »
Tech you are not doing the cause any good by rubbishing the Avast! 4 Linux scanner.
I'm not rubbishing anything. I'm pushing it up, I hope I could do anything related to this :)
The best things in life are free.

silviucc

  • Guest
Re: Avast! for Linux has NOT been dropped !!
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2013, 12:35:16 AM »
The only thing I would like to see is incremental sig updates. Otherwise, I love the fact that it's just an on-demand scanner.