Anti-malware with VPN?

[IbChristian]

I used to use the paid version of Bitdefender (on Windows), which not only got rid of malware but also offered an extensive list of worldwide VPNs. However it seems it won't work on Linux Mint. Is there a Mint compatible equivalent? I would prefer it to have one which included a VPN and paid, as I understand paid VPNs are more trustworthy.

Thanks

 

[Condobloke]

There is no antimalware/AV used on Linux, generally.

In the majority of circumstances, they are unneeded.

Good browsing habits are usually sufficient.

programs like bitdefender etc etc will definitely not work on Linux. They are .exe file types, whereas Linux uses ext4

Linux is NOT Windows

A particularly good vpn is Mullvad

Am i to understand that your install of Linux is functioning ok, now?

 

[f33dm3bits]

They are .exe file types, whereas Linux uses ext4

Linux uses different package formats is what you mean, as ext4 is a file-system not a package format.

 

[Condobloke]

Have a read of this. The Author is quite trustworthy and reliable

Security in Linux Mint and Ubuntu: an Explanation and Some Tips

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

 

[craigevil]

Mullvad, Nordvpn, Proton, and several others work well on Linux.

 

[ron.alan]

Read Condobloke's link in post #4. AV is not necessary in Linux.

 

[kc1di]

I've used both Proton and Private Internet Access on Linux for VPN's Both do the job. As for Anti Virus software mostly not needed on Linux. Use a root kit hunter from time to time. Just use good common sense if that website is iffy don't go there.

 

[PuppyHome]

Nord VPN user here. Threat Protection works well, never any problems in combination with the aforementioned common sense.

Even without a VPN there is a solution to mitigate risks from sketchy sites. Update your HOSTS file.
Open text editor as root/admin and navigate to /etc/hosts and open the file. Copy this and/or this one and paste it into the opened file. Save. Done. Changes take effect immediately.

If you have a few servers on your system and made previous changes to your hosts file it is wise to delete the 'localhost' part of the files you are about to copy/paste to avoid conflicts.

 

[deb_user]

Linux desktop is such a small target that hackers don't bother to try to write malware for it. It's also very difficult to write malware that will actually run effectively on Linux. The only real danger is phishing - getting you to give up your information voluntarily, and perhaps install malware yourself. Windows is a larger target by orders of magnitude, and Windows users are, in general, easier to dupe, and it's far easier to write effective malware for it. I don't run any anti-virus software, not in 20+ years, and have never had any malware on my Linux computers. There are many more pressing problems than a Linux virus, which does not exist in the wild.

 

[Condobloke]

^^^ What he said^^^^

Amen.

 

[IbChristian]

Read Condobloke's link in post #4. AV is not necessary in Linux.

Yeah, about that. No diss, but my old drill Sargent had a saying that is pretty much applicable in all life; "Thinking 'it won't happen to me' is one of the quickest ways of getting dead". True, Linux is not a target because it is currently not popular enough to be so, but it has happened and as it it's popularity increases this will only become moreso.

It's mainly stuff like trackers and cookies that I'm worried about. I would also like to be able to clean things up every now and then, like random "temporary" internet files and such.

 

[IbChristian]

I did install Proton VPN though, using the Terminal, no less! I even got it right, first time.
(Whoo-hoo! Look at me! I'm a real Linux user now! Look out, world!!! ).

 

[deb_user]

It's easy enough to have Firefox refuse cookies. That's a common setting. You can also open a private window, which refuses cookies, or accept cookies and remove all of them when the window is closed. Or have Firefox automatically remove all cookies and cache when closed. Take some time to go through the Firefox settings and consider all of them. If you use another browser, there are similar settings in almost all of them.

 

[ron.alan]

Yeah, about that. No diss, but my old drill Sargent had a saying that is pretty much applicable in all life; "Thinking 'it won't happen to me' is one of the quickest ways of getting dead".

Yeah, I get that. But did you read the link? It explains how AV makes your system even more vulnerable to attacks. A bigger "problem" than no AV is PEBKAC.

 

[ron.alan]

To add to the above, a Linux user will be generally safe as long as:

1) only install apps from the repos
2) don't visit shady websites
3) keep your system, including the browser, up to date

I know for someone coming over from Windows that's hard to believe, but it's true.

 

[bwingbob]

I have been using Proton VPN for several years now on Linux and Windows with good results. Proton VPN has malware and website blocking configured in thier dns configuration.

 

[Condobloke]

It's mainly stuff like trackers and cookies that I'm worried about. I would also like to be able to clean things up every now and then, like random "temporary" internet files and such.

Trackers and cookies can be controlled by the Browser....to varying degrees. It can also be controlled by add ons (extensions) to the various browsers...something like 'NoScript Security Suite'

No script is not for the faint hearted. It takes a lot of fiddling and training, but it is ruthlessly efficient.

Clearing out Temp files in Linux is easy....just reboot. or wait 24 hours for it to happen automagically, or go to /tmp or use the command:

rm -r /tmp/*

be careful using that command....the files may still be in use. leave it to shutdown time.....and i you are shutting down or rebooting they will be cleared anyway.. Go figure

 

[IbChristian]

I have been using Proton VPN for several years now on Linux and Windows with good results. Proton VPN has malware and website blocking configured in thier dns configuration.

OK. I'm good with that.

 

[IbChristian]

Question regarding ProtonVPN:

Can I use the same subscription on multiple machines? How would I implement this? I'm thinking of putting Mint on my desktop PC as well. Or do I need a second subscription? I couldn't find any info on the Proton website (even in my account) and there doesn't seem to be a FAQ page or contact.

 

[kc1di]

Question regarding ProtonVPN:

Can I use the same subscription on multiple machines? How would I implement this? I'm thinking of putting Mint on my desktop PC as well. Or do I need a second subscription? I couldn't find any info on the Proton website (even in my account) and there doesn't seem to be a FAQ page or contact.

This is from there page.

Connect up to 10 devices​

With our Plus plan, you can connect up to 10 devices and enjoy speeds up to 10 Gbps. This ensures that your privacy remains protected even if you switch devices.