this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2024
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I understand that no Operating System is 100% safe. Although this backdoor is likely only affects certain Linux desktop users, particularly those running unstable Debian or testing builds of Fedora (like versions 40 or 41), **Could this be a sign that antivirus software should be more widely used on Linux desktops? ** ( I know this time is a zero-day attack)

What if, malicious code like this isn't discovered until after it's released to the public? For example, imagine it was included in the initial release of Fedora 40 in April. What if other malware is already widespread and affects more than just SSH, unlike this specific case?

My point is,

  • Many people believe that Linux desktops don't require antivirus software.
  • Antivirus can at least stop malware once it's discovered.
  • Open-source software is protected by many parties, but a backdoor like this one, which reportedly took 2 years to plan and execute, raises my concern about being more cautious when choosing project code maintainers.
  • Linux desktops will likely be targeted by more attacks as they become more popular.

IMO, antivirus does not save stupid people(who blindly disable antivirus // grant root permission) but it does save some lazy people.

OS rely heavily on users practicing caution and up-to-date(both knowledge and the system). While many users don't follow tech news, they could unknowingly be running (this/any) malware without ever knowing. They might also neglect system updates, despite recommendations from distro maintainers.

This is where antivirus software can be useful. In such cases, users might be somewhat protected once the backdoor signature is added to the antivirus database.

Thankfully, the Linux community and Andres Freund responded quickly to this incident.

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[–] [email protected] -2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I find all this "bog down your system" answers to be a crock of shit. Go run ESET nod32 and put it in interactive mode. Yes, you'll get a lot of prompts but damn you'll learn so much about what's going on in your computer and the networks it's reaching out to. If you're on windows run glass wire or OSX run little snitch. I used to know a Linux alternative for those but the point stands that you should have tools that you can use in a desktop setting to really understand what is running, and what it's connecting to. You should have a program running that can check against a database of hashes of files for signature matches. It seems though like there's not strong enough AV. And I suspect that's on purpose so state actors can easily get into our systems in all nations.

[–] nshibj 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

If you're on windows run glass wire or OSX run little snitch. I used to know a Linux alternative for those

Would you happen to know the name of a similar tool for Linux? I was just yesterday searching myself but I couldn't find anything

[–] Para_lyzed 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

The port of Little Snitch to Linux is called OpenSnitch. I've never used Glass Wire, so I have no idea if that's what you're looking for.

[–] nshibj 1 points 7 months ago

Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for. I am familiar with Little Snitch for macOS, so this looks perfect.

For anyone interested: https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch