I'm planning on getting a dialup connection for instant messaging and just a little web browsing (no downloads or anything real taxing). So I'm trying to decide wether to put the connection on Win98SE or Linux, because my PC is dual boot. Now, I'm wondering which is less venerable to viruses. I've heard 2 stories from several different people: 1. Linux's kernel has virus protection within it, and the complete opposite: 2. That Linux is full of problems (I haven't experience any myself so I don't know where this guys gets this) and it's more prone to viruses. However it's a given the Win98SE is very open to viruses, so no need to discuss that. I'm just wondering if it's a better decision to go with Linux and which story is true??? -Waiting for response, Mitch My PC's busted. But I have good news: I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.

Linux has no builtin virus protection. The big security advantages of Linux are running as an unprivileged user, not having unnecessary services enabled by default (true of most distros anyway), and that Linux software generally has fewer or less serious security issues. As far as I know, Windows 98 has no real security whatsoever. Its only security advantage is also true of Linux, namely that it isn't the most popular target (XP). If you use GAIM and Firefox on Windows, it'll be significantly more secure than if you used AIM and IE, but Linux still offers some advantages. If someone does find a bug, it'll probably do a lot less damage to Linux.

Linux more secure than 98? Yes, for the most part. Linux's security comes from obscurity, meaning that not as many viruses are written for Linux because there aren't as many Linux users. If I was you I would put the connection on both OS's so whether your booted into Linux or Windows you will have it available. Just make sure to setup some security on both. Virus protection and firewall at least. Fed up with Windows? Try Ubuntu Linux

Thanks for your imput, however I'm planning on putting the connection on only one OS to be more secure. Mainly I was was quesioning if an antivirus program was required with Linux. As far as firewalls go, my ISP has one on their end because I'm a student and I'll be getting it free from the college. Oh, btw, my Linux distro is Ubuntu if that's a factor in this also. My plan is to hook up on Linux and use mainly GAIM mostly and the ocassional FireFox (no IE or AIM). But you still think I need an antivirus program? Again, I'm on a student budget, so I can't afford another monthly fee. -Mitch My PC's busted. But I have good news: I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.

There are plenty of free AV packages out there. One good one is AVG. I still don't see how you think having it on only one OS will be "more secure". You can't run both of them at the same time, since this is a dual-boot. Maybe I'm not understanding that part. I'm glad to see you using Ubuntu. It's by far my favorite distro. Which version are you using; Warty, Hoary, or Breezy? Fed up with Windows? Try Ubuntu Linux

"Linux's security comes from obscurity, meaning that not as many viruses are written for Linux because there aren't as many Linux users." -------------- Pure rubbish when you consider the Linux server presence on the net. I certainly would not call that "obscurity". Why piddle with a user when I can knock-out an entire network? Your comment holds no water. Bottom line to knobknoster: a unix-like system will bring you far more security than windows, but you'll likley sacrifice some convenience. But if you're only going to use for browsing and such, the security will give you peace of mind, and convenience shouldn't even be an issue.

No, tonysathre, I don't need virus protection on Linux. As for a firewall, I run iptables on my desktop and hide all of my machines behind an OpenBSD NAT router. If I didn't run OpenSSH, distcc, NFS, etc., it would be overkill. In fact, one of the most secure general purpose OSs available, OpenBSD, doesn't run a firewall by default. A firewall simply isn't necessary because only one service, OpenSSH, listens for connections by default.