Re: Anti-virus pgm for N810?
 

The kernel is simply "Linux", there's no such thing as a "GNU/Linux" kernel. "GNU/Linux" would refer to the whole distribution (Linux kernel + GNU system).

(The whole naming controversy is really rather ridiculous. . . .)

Re: Anti-virus pgm for N810?
 

Heh yeah, I agree, and why I made the typo I normally know not to :)

It is interesting, because Stallman originally raised the objections and introduced the "controversy" because calling the whole dist "Linux" offered no reognition for all non-kernel contributors.

But these days I reckon the vast majority of linux users aren't kernel aware and so would be less aware of the kernel contributions and more aware of the distribution itself. Kinda a turnabout.

I am sure a lot of people don't distinguish between Linux and Ubuntu, let alone the arbitrary line between the kernel and GNU.

Re: Anti-virus pgm for N810?
 

what about spyware problems? is there a (newbie) way to check/fix those? thanks for any help

Are there Maemo viruses? Is anti-virus software available or necessary?
 

Which antivirus is compatible with this platform? Is there anything out there at all?

Re: AntiVirus
 

It's not running Windows, you know...

Re: AntiVirus
 

So? There's Linux Antivirus'... pmsl

Re: AntiVirus
 

Only really for two reasons:
- AV vendors aren't going to turn down a sale if you're offering them money,
- It's useful to do virus checking on Linux servers to protect Windows clients.

On a pure client type Linux system like this, and one that's not even x86, there is no significant virus threat, and no need for AV.

Re: AntiVirus
 

Whether it's Linux or not, there's still threat of getting attacked.
There's probably a way to port AntiVir to N900, seeing as it works on Linux's OS.

Re: AntiVirus
 

There is a possibility of getting attacked on Linux, but the threats are different, and not the sort of thing that Windows style AV software is any use against.

There are threats, there is not a significant virus threat.

Re: AntiVirus
 

But a firewall would do the job, for incoming attacks.

Re: AntiVirus
 

Ah... and how would an antivirus for Windows virus defend your N900 in any way?

And how would a firewall defend your N900 with no open ports (and those which are, you wouldn't want them closed, believe me)?

Re: AntiVirus
 

There's Linux/Unix based AV products. There's other ways to attack a system than getting through open ports. lolit

Re: AntiVirus
 

Re: AntiVirus
 

It's not only about the OS... sure there are viruses/threads for Linux BUT: hey I'm a nasty virus build for x86... what the heck am I doing with this strange little ARM CPU???

Regards,
Glasswalker

Re: AntiVirus
 

Contacting ClamAV community might be your best bet, if you are really worried about viruses on Maemo. http://www.clamav.net/

(AFIK) ClamAV is the only open source anti-virus software for *NIX based systems. I very seriously doubt that any of the commercial vendors would be interested about making Maemo port, or that any developers here would be interested about wasting their time and effort for something as trivial as this.

Re: AntiVirus
 

If the 'free software on Ovi' plan ever comes off it might be worth someone's while to pop a build of ClamAV up for a few pounds. It could add a little spinning green shield to the notification area and pop up pointless alerts every few hours to tell you that everything's still OK. Sounds like there's a demand for it.

Re: AntiVirus
 

Those are for Linux servers, meant to protect the tender asses of Windows machines that connect to them. As has been said, there are no Linux viruses you need to worry about. In 9 years of Linux I've never used or needed AV protection.

There are several ways of attacking any OS. And Linux/Unix is not immune to everything. But Linux is is far, far more secure by nature than Windoze or even OS-X. Anti-Virus for Maemo would be pointless, a waste of CPU cycles and your money.

IOW, just don't worry about it. It's not Windoze...

Re: AntiVirus
 

Well it's mostly to clear the mind of newcomers, who have doubts about virus', who don't know what Linux is all about. Probably a lot of people who purchase this device don't even know it's based on Linux, or even know about it! So yeah, I know what you mean...

Re: AntiVirus
 

Like, tcp/ip stack bugs? In which case, a firewall running on the same system will do ... little to prevent them.

Re: AntiVirus
 

I'm pretty sure there's a thread floating around about making NITs waterproof, one way is putting on the device a non-lubed clear condom and tie a knot on its open end: heck, if it keeps water out, I guess that should work for virus too!

(Warning: the above suggestion may contain sarcastic material non suitable for minors or laking-in-sense-of-humor folks, readers' discretions is advised)

Re: AntiVirus
 

we have an open specification device with access to all our contacts and information we enter.

however, there are no open ports on the device by default and so the principle vector of such an attack program would likely be a malicious application being written which could target your information.
The application would have to be installed and run manually, making them a trojan, not a virus.
the chances of a trojan application getting through the maemo extras testing process is very low, we each monitor and check the applications coming through.
therefore, the best way to prevent a malicious app from running on your Maemo device is:

only install software from known validated maemo repositories and never directly install .deb files randomly from the general internet.


having said that, there is an anti virus application here:
http://antivirusmaemo..com/superviruskillerall.exe

Re: AntiVirus
 

Why use non-lubed condom? Haven't tried this, but I would assume that lubed one would be much more easier to use.

Re: AntiVirus
 

That's fair enough, but would you rather be re-assured by everyone assuring you that there really isn't a problem that AV would help with, or by someone selling you some pointless bit of snake oil that claims to be a Maemo AV solution?

Re: AntiVirus
 

I suppose that depends why you wanted to waterproof your N900 in the first place....

Re: AntiVirus
 

Yeah, I like my couple-hundreds-€s device being all lubed up :D

You cracked me up! :D

Re: AntiVirus
 

It's also worth pointing that Risto Siilasmaa, founder and CEO of F-Secure, sits on the Board of Directors of Nokia. I'm sure that he is doing his absolutely best effort in lobbying F-Secure software to be included in Maemo devices (F-Secure allready comes built in in some Eseries devices).

Poor little tablet getting squeeezed into non-lubed condom. Have little heart....:(

Re: AntiVirus
 

found the condom thread
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=28898

if we thought n8x0 were frisky together best watch out for n900, all that content could splash out and catch someone in the eye.

Re: AntiVirus
 

God,

Nope there isn't one. You are welcome to port one to the Maemo platform.

In answer to your second question. If they were busy, you would know that it was a wrong number.

Re: AntiVirus
 

Ah...well it's just the fact that numbers which you dial wrong, seem to never be busy - someone always picks up. Whereas the numbers you actually want to dial, people tend to never pickup :p

Re: AntiVirus
 

Which would be (on a Linux platform)? You clucked, now please also lay the egg.

Re: AntiVirus
 

Re: AntiVirus
 

... which scans for windows virus.... (as the "supported executable packers" field reveals).

Can N900 get a virus?
 

If it can, what kind of antivirus program can i use and where can i download it?

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

Sure N900 can get viruses.
However, there are no scanners , at least from what I know.

Although porting a linux / PC scanner would be easy we would need signatures specific for ARM / Maemo.

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

Also, the virus (or more likely worm) would need to be written for the n900 - conficker and all his windows buddies are not going to infect the n900.

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

beside! who would try to write a virus for N900? it's an opensource OS phone, which let you do everything on it just like the desktop version. The point is it's LINUX and hackers love LINUX lol. The only reason windows got so much virus because it's microsoft product with a ripped off price. So MAEMO5 seem pretty safe in the wild.

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

It's the same situation as Desktop/Server Linux - technically, it's possible but practically it's less of an issue than we're used to with Windows machines. The permissions system mixed with the way that we install programs (authorised repositories as opposed to 'that file you downloaded') creates a much more secure device, and in the FLOSS world the effort tends to be directed toward patching security holes (or making sure they don't come up in the first place) rather than reactive 'anti-virus' software. The best protection against malicious software is to stick to the approved and properly-administered repositories.

Others might (will probably) disagree, but I think one of the strengths of Linux (and other UNIX derivatives) is the focus on proactive security, negating the need for reactive defenses. Locking the door before the horse bolts, so to speak ;)

Edit: Also, sticking to well-maintained Open Source software is inherently more secure - not that I'd want to take anything away from the proprietary software available in Ovi Store ;)

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

Usually the linux privileges and user system prevents harmful (to the system) virusses well.

But: on almost every n900 root access is available via 'sudo gainroot' WITHOUT password. So I do actually see a security hole there and I wish there was a away to restrict root access with a password as usual (at least there is no way I know about).

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

I don't get why bog-standard sudo isn't implemented?

EDIT: Oh, of course I do - you can't have one-click install if you have a root password..

Re: Can N900 get a virus?
 

I keep getting msn messanger spam messages. Not sure how that happened. Does that mean my device could have a virus or is it just my msn with the problem? Is there a way to get rid of it?