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Alternative to ClamAV? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

99 comments fedilink hide all child comments

TL;DR - What are you running as a means of “antivirus” on Linux servers?

I have a few small Debian 12 servers running my services and would like to enhance my security posture. Some services are exposed to the internet and I’ve done quite a few things to protect the services and the hosts. When it comes to “antivirus”, I was looking at ClamAV as it seemed to be the most recommended. However, when I read the documentation, it stated that the recommended RAM was at least 2-4 gigs. Some of my servers have more power than other but some do not meet this requirement. The lower powered hosts are rpi3s and some Lenovo tinys.

When I searched for alternatives, I came across rkhunter and chrootkit, but they seem to no longer be maintained as their latest release was several years ago.

If possible, I’d like to run the same software across all my servers for simplicity and uniformity.

If you have a similar setup, what are you running? Any other recommendations?

P.S. if you are of the mindset that Linux doesn’t need this kind of protection then fine, that’s your belief, not mine. So please just skip this post.

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[+] [email protected] -11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Okay sure same thing as Windows. If you aren’t reckless with the things you install and run then you are likely fine BUT there’s always a chance. All it takes is one slip up. Same logic as having a lock in the door knob and a deadbolt. By your logic (and many others), the lock on the door knob is sufficient and that may be okay with you BUT I’m gonna put a deadbolt on too just in case.

We can argue about this all day long. You will have valid points and so will I.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But would you put a deadbolt on your garage door? Or on your fridge door? IMO, arguing by analogy here just obfuscates the points -- your servers aren't physical doorways with locks, and comparing them just confuses the issue.

Can you explain what added security an antivirus package would offer for a Linux server? I haven't done much with Linux administration, mostly just using Docker images for stuff at work.

I'm not a super Linux expert or anything, but I do grok tech, and I'm curious about this topic.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How does it obfuscate the point? A layered approach to security.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Simple: Computers are not doors with locks. Antivirus is not a deadbolt, and IMO it's really misleading to compare them. You're trying to tell people in this thread that you need AV on Linux, against consensus, "because security". I still don't understand why you think it's necessary. What's your threat model? How does AV improve security on your servers in a way that a firewall doesn't?