I'm using a wireless router, that's connected to my modem. I also have a password on it, so it should be pretty secure. Should I be worried of anything? I have antivirus, spyware, and firewall protection. I just don't want some hacker to mess up anything on my computer; like many others, I have important things on here.

Most problems are PEBKAC, so just following common sense will keep you relatively safe.

For maximum security, install Linux, unplug your computer from the net, dig a hole in your back yard, unplug your computer from the power, and bury it.


1. Always use anti-virus if you are using Windows.
2. Never open any emails unless you know who they are coming from.
3. Same as 2, but for attachments.
4. Don't trust popups that tell you that you are at risk, verify via your anti-virus programs.
5. Don't download illegal warez or media of any sort.
6. Be careful of stealth installs of unwanted software, even coming from companies you used to trust :ninja:

Common sense is all you need to avoid most passive attacks (i.e. code that tries to autoexecute when you visit a website, or automated email virus spammers). Update your OS, your browser, and you antivirus if you use one. Don't download fishy files, don't execute email attachments from people you don't trust. That's all most people ever need to do to be safe.

If you're actually worried about "some hacker" actively attacking your computer (like, an actual person at a computer trying to break through your security and mess with you, personally, and your stuff), my impression is that it's pretty hard to be safe from that kind of attack. But fortunately, that stuff practically never happens, unless you're storing super-confidential corporate secrets on your laptop and everybody knows it.

fixed....

Oh really?

What anti-virus do you think I need with hardened gentoo using 2.6.32 kernels??

What if I took my laptop to a local area and they had wifi there; and I connected to that. Would my computer be vulnerable to attacks?

if your on someone else's network then your more at risk, because all your activity could be tracked by their routing server


i really dont care... but posting something like "only windows operating systems need an anti-virus" is misleading

Maybe slightly more vulnerable than if you're on an encrypted network by yourself, but as long as your software is up to date and you don't do anything dumb, you'll probably be fine.

Like Neuro mentioned, getting infected is usually a result of a user doing something dumb (like clicking on that popup that says your computer is infected), rather than a sinister and unavoidable infection that mysteriously worms its way onto your system.

Kind of,but seriously..people don't do that enough to even worry about it.

Have a generic anti-virus and Malware Bytes installed and always keep your fire wall on and you're fine.

http://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/8261-note-to-new-linux-users-no-antivirus-needed

Also, http://grsecurity.net/news.php#stablechosen.

Alright, I never click on any popups or open any junk mail anyways. So if I have the all the protection and even if I'm using someone else's connection, I should be fine?

Well actually it's not... :-/

While I don't know of a single anti-virus software for Linux (although there probably is something like that), I not only know of dozens of anti-virus software packages for Windows, but they're also selling them, so the business is apparently a-boomin'.

Probably. No promises (this is the internet), but chances are you'll be fine.

Indeed, also http://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/8261-note-to-new-linux-users-no-antivirus-needed (also linked above)

From that link : Note to new Linux users: No antivirus needed

One of the main reasons why I'm nervous about online shopping. I have my credit card information on my PayPal account and would be devastated if I found out someone else had used it.

Well, I feel like I'm doing all I can do to ensure my safety.

Yeah, except he never metioned linux, and there are other operating systems available, so as it stands, yes your advice was misleading.

You can never be 100% secure, but with decent protection software and some common sense you wont have to worry. Also, I wouldnt worry too much about hackers. Hackers usually target webservers etc, not single home PCs. And when they do, it is in the form of virus' and scams that can reach alot of people. Also, thinking about how solid your password is could be a plus. And dont use the same everywhere.

This is what he wrote : 1. Always use anti-virus if you are using Windows. no matter what operating system you have.

So yes, he was wrong.

If giving advice to someone who is inexperienced with computers, that is the best advice. Linux could still get a virus from user action. Its better to have security and not need it right?

You do not need anti-virus with Linux.

Very important point.

I'm going to close this for unparliamentary discussion and bad advice.

Unless you never, ever transfer any files from your Linux host to a Windows or Mac OS platform, you need suitable virus protection on your Linux host, or on every path into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdujnziBNBg