The popularity of Linux over the last decade has seen an enormous rise. The open-sourced nature and the ability to customize Linux as per your preferences sounds like an opportunity that is too good to be true among programmers. Hence, many users have created various Linux distributions that meet the requirements of different people. However, there are two sides to every coin, and Linux-based malware is also on a consistent increase, which means that we need to find the best antivirus for Linux.
There are plenty of malware files in various formats in the form of worms and Trojans that invade the computers and end up causing irreversible damage. Hackers target Linux-based distros, and unfortunately, the old Linux security practices are no longer useful. Since cybercriminals can access your private files through malware, imposing the right methods to ensure protection.
Since hackers are evolving at an alarming rate, the best antiviruses for Linux become the final border in protecting your PC and your digital identity. Hence, we have created this list that contains multiple choices dubbed the best antiviruses for Linux.
Our list of choices below will shortlist the choices for you; thus, you can reach a better decision and select the best antivirus for Linux that meets your requirements.
Excited? Let’s get started
Best Antivirus For Linux
Sophos Antivirus
Sophos is one of the best Antiviruses for Linux, and a lot of the users rate it very high, thus making it a top-tier choice on our list. There are plenty of reasons why it has an excellent reputation starting from its easy-to-use nature, tho it may require some time and a lot of practice if you aren’t into computing much. The significant reason for its prominence is that it’s excellent at detecting and dealing with malware and viruses.
If you have an old device, then Sophos may be a great choice for you since it’s lightweight and stable. The software is effective for many Linux-based threats with its efficient built-in scanner can easily detect and eliminate viruses, including worms and Trojans. It’s can also detect suspicious activity online or potential threats, thus blocking them before they reach your PC.
A huge benefit of Sophos Antivirus is that it also comes with on-demand scanning options and includes real-time protection. Thus, it provides you a choice of running either one of them or setting up the pattern protection in any way you want. Once it detects the viruses, the software places them in a separate repository so that you can deal with them as you want. Another exceptional feature is that it can detect threats that target other OS. While other choices may be designed to read particular codes that can potentially harm Linux, Sophos offers a more versatile scanning feature to read and deal with threats.
Standout Features:
- Terminal base
- Real-time and on-demand scan feature
- The threat detection rate is high
ClamAV Antivirus
The ClamAV Antivirus is another excellent choice on our best antivirus for Linux list. Once again, the software ensures that easy-to-use interface with a clean design and efficient functionality. You can download the software on the PC repository directly while the rates of detecting and protecting against potential threats are also quite high, which means that it won’t leave your device hanging. There are plenty of reasons you may consider it a priority starting from the idea that it is free and portable and a lightweight yet stable software.
ClamAV Antivirus is also an excellent choice that detects Trojan pretty efficiently and offers great mail protection. The software is an open-source program which means that you will run it through the command line. It’s a versatile choice and won’t affect the performance of your PC while it’s running. A major advantage is that it is completely free and does not have a paid version.
The software has an exceptional detection rate for worms, Trojans, malicious email attachments, and many other viruses. The open-source format of the antivirus makes it a great choice to use with sensitive data. The protection also comes with more acute execution rather than separate. It offers a built-in deep scanner that can scan archive types, including doc formats, ELF executables, and portable files. It also offers a strict mail gateway; thus, all types are scanned to ensure protection.
Standout Features:
- Open-source program
- Cross-platform functionality
- Mail gateway security features
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Users searching for the best antivirus for Linux that can provide impeccable functionality need to consider ESET NOD32 Antivirus. The software is considered the best Linux antivirus due to its excellent security and distinctive features that make it unique while also operational.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a complete cybersecurity program that comes with plenty of useful features and functions that you can use to protect your Linux from all sorts of threats. It offers various protection features, including scheduled scans, real-time scanning, and antiphishing to prevent malicious code from operating in apps. Although the software only comes with a free trial period, you will have to get a $49.99/year premium.
It has a premium package that includes options such as parental control, firewall, and other regular security features. Other antivirus features may include network security, says inspector tool, anti-spyware, a spying detector, and strong antivirus and antimalware tools. All the features combined make it an impeccable choice and our Top Pick in the category.
Standout Features:
- Advanced malware detection features
- Exceptional in dealing with the rootkits
- A lightweight and stable choice
Avast Core Antivirus
Avast core antivirus is a newcomer, and many Windows users are already familiar with it as the software is an excellent choice for desktops. However, they have also launched a version for Linux with unique features that are significantly different from the ones it has previously created. It’s regarded as one of the best antiviruses for Linux due to its multidimensional security features and options to protect the user’s files from malware and hackers. The antivirus supports both the 32-bit and the 64 bit, which means it will be a beneficial choice no matter which version you have.
Although the software isn’t free, you will get a premium after 30 days of the free trial period, which is enough to test it and ensure it provides value for money. You will get access to the Avast core protection package, which ensures security from all sorts of viruses by its in-built scanner and command line that installs the cybersecurity package directly in the repository. It takes no time to run and will protect all files you assign it.
A significant feature is that it also provides an efficient web filter that protects you from accessing malicious websites or downloading corrupted files. It provides a great core scanner combined with an antimalware one, thus ensuring double security. Another notable feature is the anti-spyware, which protects hackers from spying on you. Other features include scheduled and on-demand scans, network security, and mail server protection.
Standout Features:
- Ideal for home and commercial usage
- real-time protection
- Multiple security layers to ensure safety
Comodo Antivirus
If you are long for the best antivirus for Linux that offers a behavior analysis at the top of smart architecture, comodo antivirus is a great choice. The benefit of the software is that it can detect suspicious activities from the data that isn’t a part of the library. It is an intricate antivirus suitable for cross-platform usage, offering plenty of exclusive features that others might be unable to do.
Comodo is extremely easy to kick things off and efficiently uphold both the 32-bit and 64-bit systems. It’s compatible with popular Linux distributions, including Fedora, Red, Ubuntu, etc. It’s free software with plenty of excellent cybersecurity options. Although Comodo isn’t a choice that offers you the most complex and detailed security layers, it’s still a great choice that ensures the safety of your Linux against most online threats.
The antivirus offers a choice of running the browser inside the sandbox. It’s a useful feature to protect your device’s traffic and privacy. Comodo can also create a virtual desktop, thus making a safe space apart from the main in case of trouble. Other software features include a scheduled or on-demand cloud-based scanning feature and email filtering. Comodo might not be the most operative choice that provides access to security features, but it still does the job pretty effectively.
Standout Features:
- Cloud-based scanning
- Sandbox
- Email filters
Bitdefender Antivirus
The Bitdefender Antivirus is another name that all windows users may be familiar with as it’s a popular software on the platform. It’s a versatile choice that offers an excellent and powerful cybersecurity package, thus making it one of the best antiviruses for Linux. It offers dual-booted system protection, including scanning and protection for both windows and Linux-based drivers. It comes with an exclusive set of features that may interest you since many like it.
Bitdefender isn’t free software after the initial 30-days trial period. The most interesting part is that the software for Linux offers AI support that creates a learning curve, thus preventing malware that isn’t part of the library. It also provides an advanced real-time threat scanner that can spot malicious activity or suspicious behavior inside the files, thus stopping their access. It can leave an imprint in the secure cloud for scanning purposes to notify you if it’s safe. The significant feature of the software is that it offers you a strong web filter, malware scanner, and network security. Its detection and blocking of malicious codes, malware, rootkits, phishing, etc., are extraordinary.
Linux-based OS is vulnerable to ransomware, and not many brands offer efficient anti-ransomware. However, Bitdefender offers heavy-duty anti-ransomware that will prevent you from hackers.
Standout Features:
- Two-way firewall protection
- Cloud protection
- Full-disk encryption feature
F-Prot Antivirus
F-Prot is the best antivirus for Linux for users who want well-rounded security and to execute simple decisions. The software offers different versions to meet the demands and requirements of various users. One major reason that many users prefer it is because it’s stealthy and lightweight. It’s a portable software that you can easily download on your old machine to provide an effective layer of security.
F-prot offers different packages, and people can purchase them as per their requirements. It includes a workstation variant for $29, a file server variant for $130, and the mail server variant for $299. The package prices vary on the type of security and layers it provides.
The Workstation version will allow you access to a consistently updated database and a command-line scanner. It also provides a deep scanner that can eliminate threats without damaging files. It can scan archives, compressed files, drives, etc., for trojans or macro viruses. The mail server version provides a mail scanner and a daemon which means it’s ideal for people that want to scan mail content as it’s compatible with postfix, Qmail systems, and Sendmail. The file server package can be integrated with the file server and everything combined.
Standout Features:
- Scheduled and on-hand scanning
- Scan drivers and drives
- Detects threats including trojans and malware
RootKit Hunter
Rootkit hunter software is a unique choice on our best antivirus for Linux list. It is a cybersecurity software but has an open-source that you can install directly n the repository. It works to prevent your device against rootkit or other hidden viruses that may threaten privacy. The two main advantages are that it’s lightweight and extremely easy to use and operate.
The main aim of the software is to scan your device for any suspicious activity. It isn’t designed to monitor all your activity online or provide anti-ransomware, run firewalls. You can use the command line to run the scanner, thus detecting any privacy threats. It utilizes the backdoor to detect and exploit any threats. It can also detect wrong binary permissions, identify suspected strongly in the MKL and KLD modules, and search for hidden files.
Thus, Rootkit hunter is software that may provide a reliable protection layer instead of full-fledged software. It’s a free tool, so anyone can download it and install it on their device without much concern.
Standout Features:
- Uses the SHA-1 to hash comparisons
- Portable software
- Uses the background to find viruses
Final Words
The best antivirus for Linux can keep the OS from privacy threats since our computers hold an enormous amount of data. Thus, we must have the right safety measures to ensure their security. As there has been an incremental increase in online threats in ransomware, phishing, and spying, they are enough to put you at a great threat or risk. Hence, getting the best antivirus for Linux on your device is necessary. Although all the software we mentioned above is exceptional in terms of functionality, our top 3 picks in the category are ESET NOD32 Antivirus, ClamAV Antivirus, and Bitdefender Antivirus.
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General FAQs
What is the best antivirus for Linux?
There are plenty of choices out there, and the best antivirus for Linux is a matter of preference. However, we recommend ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Bitdefender Antivirus as two powerful software on our list.
Does the best antivirus for Linux protect against ransomware?
Yes, the best antivirus for Linux will place multiple layers of security and measures to ensure protection against ransomware.
Is the best antivirus for Linux free?
Although certain software is free, the more advanced one that offers military-grade functionality will require you to pay for a plan.
