Is a virus scan really unnecessary on linux?

[fresheneesz]

On the "Prepare non-quarantined hardware" page, step 4 is to run virus scans. However, it says that doing this on linux is unnecessary. Linux isn't immune to viruses tho, and I think if this step is indeed unnecessary on linux, some convincing reasoning should be given on that page.

More info about virues on linux: https://www.linux.com/tutorials/myth-busting-linux-immune-viruses/

[bitcoinhodler]

There was a footnote about this in the old doc (v0.91):

• See http://askubuntu.com/a/506577

Unfortunately this footnote was lost in the sloppy doc format conversion done last year.

We can argue about whether the advice in that askubuntu answer is still relevant.

[fresheneesz]

I don't have any deep knowledge about linux security, but it just seems a bit odd to recommend virus scans on windows and mac, but then claim that no type of virus scan's wouldn't help on linux. I just wanted to raise the issue, but I don't have an answer ; )

[someonefamous]

On Linux, it might be pertinent to suggest running an update, to ensure all the latest security patches have been applied.