Updating security on Ubuntu Laptop

[Zeque]

Hello, I'm thinking about getting a Lenovo T14s gen 6 AMD laptop with Unbuntu installed.
I understand that Ubuntu comes with a firewall, but I'm unsure if I need to install an anti-virus/anti-malware program, and if I do how I can keep it updated.
The last time I used Ubuntu was about 10 years ago when I replaced a Mac OS on an old MacBook Pro. I did nothing about security software, but I think that might be naive these days.
I am not real tech savvy. Have been using and really want to escape Windows. Thanks for your help, Z

 

[deb_user]

I have never used anti-virus/anti-malware software on Linux, and have never had any issues. Windows viruses cannot run on Linux, and Windows is the biggest and most lucrative target by orders of magnitude. I don't bother with a firewall either, because I have a router that provides the firewall. The only real threat to a Linux machine is phishing, getting you to do things that you shouldn't. I get phishing emails frequently, but I just report and delete them and get on with life. Never, ever do anything an email asks you to do without thinking carefully about it, and never from an unknown sender.

 

[tpkusr]

Normally you don't need to use antivirus for Ubuntu.

For best practice
-Keep Ubuntu updated: Ubuntu updates security automatically.

-Stick to Official Sources: Only install new software from the Ubuntu Software Center (or snap/flatpak stores) or the official Ubuntu repositories. Avoid downloading and installing random .deb files from unknown websites.

-Browser Security: This is your biggest exposure. Use a strong, updated browser (like Firefox or Chrome), and consider using an ad-blocker/tracker-blocker extension.

-Be Careful with sudo: Only enter your password for the sudo command when you fully understand what you are installing or executing.

For more details:

Secure Ubuntu 22.04: Tips For Encryption, Updates, And Safety

Fortify your Ubuntu system’s security by implementing drive encryption, ensuring regular updates, and managing root permissions meticulously.

linuxsecurity.com

 

[kc1di]

Hello @Zeque
Welcome to the Linux.org forum, enjoy!
Linux security is pretty good, and you should not need any anti virus software.
See here.

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

 

[osprey]

Hello, I'm thinking about getting a Lenovo T14s gen 6 AMD laptop with Unbuntu installed.
I understand that Ubuntu comes with a firewall, but I'm unsure if I need to install an anti-virus/anti-malware program, and if I do how I can keep it updated.
The last time I used Ubuntu was about 10 years ago when I replaced a Mac OS on an old MacBook Pro. I did nothing about security software, but I think that might be naive these days.
I am not real tech savvy. Have been using and really want to escape Windows. Thanks for your help, Z

In relation to anti-virus software, if the machine only uses linux software, then MS virus anti-virus is usually unnecessary.

However, if the machine accesses other machines and downloads files that are sourced from MS machines, then anti-virus software can be useful to detect malware in such files. In particular, if the linux machine passes on files online which have been sourced from MS machines, then anti-virus software can have a significant role in trying to protect machines to which the MS files may be sent. One doesn't usually wish to be an unwitting propagator of malware .

Given the above, it depends on the usage of the linux machine as to whether anti-virus can be useful, helpful or even reasonably necessary on a linux machine.

Some anti-virus software on a linux machine can be configured to just check specific files, such as those from MS machines, rather than range through the whole linux filesystem which would usually be a waste of time and resource on a linux machine, so that might be a consideration.

For general security issues, there's some resources mentioned here: https://linux.org/threads/linux-security-and-privacy-forums.58220/post-279775. That's only a small sample since it's a very large area in constant development.