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You don’t think Linux needs an antivirus? Think again. These best Free Antivirus For Linux can ensure your Linux box remains virus-free. Some people think Linux users don’t need antivirus software. There is no doubt that Linux is safer than Windows. However, antivirus is vital for any computer, Windows, Linux, or Mac.
Also, malware and ransomware are very common, and the number of malware programmes that target Linux systems is growing. This makes it very important to install a Linux antivirus suite. Because there are more cyber crimes, every OS needs protection, whether it’s Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Cyberbullies used to only go after Windows and Mac users, but now it looks like these criminals are also going after Linux users. Even though the Linux Operating System is thought to be safer than other operating systems, there are times when it would be better to use antivirus software. Here are the best free Linux antivirus programmes.
Best Free Antivirus For Linux
ClamAV
ClamAV is open source, like Linux, so its virus directory is constantly being updated by users from all over the world. Anyone can add to the directory by using the sigtool function in ClamAV. We love how the Linux community works together like this, which is one reason why ClamAV is in the software repository of almost every Linux distribution.
ClamAV is a powerful antivirus scanner for the command line, but we think Linux beginners should start with ClamTk. ClamTk has a simple Graphic User Interface (GUI) and most of the same features as ClamAV. You can choose to scan individual folders, drives, or servers.
Features
Pros
- Compatible with main operating systems
- Open-source database
- Mail gateway scan is the main feature of the antivirus
- Multi-threaded virtual scanner against malware
Cons
- Narrow functionality
- No support service
Sophos
Sophos is one of the few “big antivirus companies” that has free software for Linux. Even though it wasn’t made by the open-source Linux community like ClamAV, it’s still a powerful piece of software for Linux users who know what they’re doing. One of the fastest malware scanners on this list is Sophos Antivirus for Linux.
We tested it on my Ubuntu computer, and it scanned my hard drive faster than ClamAV and with less CPU load. To get set up, new users will have to look through a lot of tutorials. There is no desktop GUI, and after reading some complicated instructions to connect the online cloud GUI to my desktop, we were frustrated to find that some basic functions weren’t available there. You can download Sophos from here and use it.
Features
Pros
- Good work life balance and growth
- Good work environment with great learning experience
- Malware and ransomware protection.
Cons
- No support service
ClamTk
ClamTk is a lightweight graphical front-end for the popular command-line-based ClamAV. It was written with Perl and Gtk libraries for Unix-like systems like Linux and FreeBSD. It’s made to be an anti-virus scanner that you can use whenever you want. It is a reliable graphical anti-virus programme that works well and helps you get things done quickly.
Features
Pros
- The utility command-line allows easy navigation
- This antivirus is free, with no conditions or billing details
- Open-source database
Cons
- Narrow functionality – focuses on mail gateway protection
- No support service
Rootkit Hunter
Rootkits are some of the most dangerous types of malicious software. They give themselves administrative-level system access so they can change an operating system’s code and do bad things without being caught. By intercepting the function call of the OS, for example, a rootkit can change how well your system can find a malware file or itself.
RootKit Hunter was made to deal with this type of threat. It checks your Linux system for backdoors, rootkits, local exploits, wrong permissions, hidden files, and suspicious strings in the kernel. Once a malicious file is found, you should look at the log file more closely to make sure they aren’t just false positives. Only then should you delete the files.
Features
Pros
- Detects hidden rootkits and backdoors.
- Command line interface.
- Lightweight software.
- Works with popular distros.
Cons
- Poor to dismal scores in our hands-on tests
F-PROT
F-PROT anti-virus for Linux workstations is a free, powerful scanning engine that can be used on home/personal workstations. It was made to effectively get rid of viruses that could harm Linux workstations. It protects against macro viruses, Trojans, and other types of malicious software.
Features
Pros
- Excellent lab test scores
- Good scores in our hands-on tests
- Detects brand-new malware, including ransomware
- New, cheerful interface
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Behavioral detection missed some ransomware samples
- No phishing protection
Comodo
The Comodo antivirus programme for Linux protects you from viruses and filters your email. With its extra features for a fully configurable anti-spam system, it can filter email for Postfix, Qmail, Sendmail, and Exim MTAs, among others. After a quick installation, it’s easy to follow the instructions to start the scan scheduler and event viewer.
Automatic updates can be set up, but you don’t have to. It only sounds an alarm when a real virus is found. In addition to being able to work on different platforms, this one of the best antiviruses for Linux also works with both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Firewall.
Features
Pros
- Automatic isolation of unknown programs
- Behavior-based malware detection
- Advanced security bonus features
- Free
Cons
- Failed against one ransomware sample
- Poor to dismal scores in our hands-on tests
ChkrootKit
You should use some ways to find rootkit problems before you try to fix them. ChkrootKit is one of the best-known rootkit scanners. ChkrootKit is a portable solution, which means you can burn it to a CD or DVD or, more easily, write it to a USB stick to take it with you.
This is the right way to use a rootkit checker, since rootkits are usually there from the beginning and can hide from regular antivirus software. ChkrootKit can be used with or without an external drive. It can be installed on a system and used easily from the command line.
Features
Pros
- Used language is shell script
- Project is mature (10+ years)
Cons
- Long time between releases
FAQs
Do Linux need antivirus?
Linux-based operating systems don’t need antivirus software, but some people still recommend adding it as an extra layer of protection. Again, Ubuntu’s official page says that you don’t need antivirus software because viruses are rare and Linux is more secure by nature.
What is the fastest Linux antivirus?
In 2023, Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux is the best way to protect Linux from malware. It has a powerful malware engine that works across platforms, supports a wide range of distributions, and is easy to use. Sophos Anti-Virus for Linux can be downloaded from Sophos Central, and you can try it for free for 30 days.
Can Linux get viruses?
People often believe that Linux systems can’t get viruses. Linux systems are less likely to get viruses than many other operating systems, but they can still get infected. Linux systems can be hurt by viruses and other types of malware.
Does Linux Ubuntu need antivirus?
Again, yes is the answer. In this case, Ubuntu is a version of the Linux OS, so it is recommended that you use strong antivirus software (and other cyber-protection software) to find known and new threats, including zero-day attacks.