The 6 Best Antiviruses for Linux 2022 — Be Careful!

Linux has become a very attractive target for malware.

Even more troubling is the fact that some Linux users may be tricked into downloading malicious software, spyware, or adware. These programs are being advertised as anti-virus programs. I won’t give out names because I don’t want any legal action, but I will say that if it’s on this list, it’s probably not one the good ones.

I have spent a lot time creating a list that includes a bit for every Linux user — there are free home antiviruses and advanced home protection antiviruses. There are also premium Linux antiviruses available for businesses, large and small.

Quick Summary of the best antiviruses software for Linux in 2022:

• 1.🥇ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Linux – Best for New Linux Users (Home)
• 2.🥈Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security – Best for Businesses
• 3.🥉Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Linux – Best for Hybrid IT Environments (Business)
• 4. Sophos Antivirus for Linux – Best for File Servers (Home + Business)
• 5. Comodo Antivirus for Linux – Best for Home Users on Older Distros
• Bonus. F-Secure Linux Security – Best for Intrusion Detection (Business)

🥇1. ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Linux — Best for Home Users

Most antivirus companies are focused in business solutions when it concerns Linux. ESET NOD32 Antivirus Linux is a good option for home users. ESET’s software makes it easy to set-up and use.

ESET is not the most popular cybersecurity brand. It’s not the best-known cybersecurity company on the market.

ESET’s antivirus engine utilizes the ThreatSense.NET Early Warning System. ThreatSense.NET collects data on new malware behaviors continuously from ESET users. This data is then shared across the entire ESET Network, keeping you one-step ahead of emerging threats.

ESETNOD32 Antivirus Linux, like most home Linux-based antivirus programs, doesn’t provide many features. Windows antivirus brands, such as TotalAV or Norton, are much more generous offering features such ID theft protection and VPN access.

ESET has a limited number of features that makes it simple to install, configure, use and manage. ESET antivirus protection offers realtime protection plus scheduled and on-demand scans.

Bottom Line

ESET HTML32 Antivirus for Linux is a powerful and easy-to-use antivirus that protects against malware.

ESET Antivirus

Name: ESET Antivirus Review and Prices

Description: ESET offers three anti-virus software packages. These plans are available for one, two, and three-year periods. For each package or plan you can select the number of devices that you wish to be protected (up to 5 or 10, depending on which plan). ESET NOD32 Antivirus, the most affordable antivirus protection option, costs $39.99 per device. ESET Smart Security Plus, the company's most costly plan, costs $449.97 per annum for 10 devices. Although it may sound costly, this plan is only $15 per device each year and equates to $149.99 for 10 devices. ESET offers multiple multidevice or multiyear plans, with first-term discounts. These plans result in lower per-device antivirus protection cost.

Offer price: $39.95 to $359.97

Currency: USD

Operating System: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux

Application Category: ESET - Brand Review

Author: Best Antivirus

[ More ]

• Security
  (4)
• Features
  (3.5)
• Ease of use
  (4)
• Customer Support
  (4)
• Pricing
  (3.5)

Overall

3.8

Summary

Apart from its antivirus software, Smart Security Premium plans also offer anti-theft capabilities. These include the Laptop Activity Watch. This allows you to view the webcam of your stolen laptop and capture screen shots. It also lets you transmit a message on the screen. The location tracking feature will locate the computer when it’s on. These features allow you to check your Wi-Fi router’s security and see which devices are connected. You also have parental controls and a Strict Protection Mode that makes your device inaccessible when connecting to the internet via unknown network.

Pros

• Plans priced to cover a specific number of devices
• Variety of extra functions and features included in basic package
• Website features detailed definitions and explanations of protection technologies

Cons

• No identity theft monitoring
• VPN not included in any package or sold separately

• ESET for Windows
• ESET for macOS
• ESET for Android
• ESET for iOS

🥈2. Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security — Best for Businesses

Bitdefender GravityZone Enterprise Security has been a market leader in anti-malware products for businesses. It protects up 100 workstations which can include Linux.

Bitdefender can run a “Vulnerabilities Assessment” after it has been installed. This allows to ensure that your network’s security is maintained and that all staff members are using the correct configurations.

Bitdefender’s anti-virus engine is among the most powerful in modern threat-detection. Bitdefender’s Process Inspector detects “fileless malware”, which is an increasing threat to cybersecurity. Fileless malware injects itself directly to an application’s memory space, without downloading any malicious file.

Process Inspector cleverly uses machine intelligence to detect suspicious processes and terminate them across all applications on your network.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security is a package that includes up to 100 licenses. It’s perfect for small or medium-sized business.

Bottom Line

Bitdefender GravityZone Web Security gives you complete control over your IT infrastructure and protects you from new threats like fileless malware.

Bitdefender Antivirus 2022

Name: Review Bitdefender Antivirus

Description: Bitdefender is the best Windows antivirus software. Bitdefender's Internet Security & Total Security offer comprehensive protection for Windows computers.

Offer price: $14.99 to Up

Currency: USD

Operating System: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Application Category: Bitdefender Antivirus - Brand Review

Author: Best Antivirus

[ More ]

• Security
  (4.5)
• Features
  (4)
• Ease of use
  (4)
• Customer Support
  (4)
• Pricing
  (4)

Overall

4.1

Summary

Bitdefender Internet Safety Anti-Virus Software is the most affordable for Windows. It offers both online and offline protection.

Bitdefender Total Safety remains our top choice. But, we love Norton 360 Deluxe. This is an excellent anti-virus suite for all platforms. Norton has unlimited VPN, a better password manger and more effective parental controls. This antivirus suite is more expensive but offers more functionality.

Pros

• Great scores in independent tests
• Multiple customer support options
• Available 30-day trials
• Has a free version
• Notification settings adapt to activity

Cons

• macOS supported only with paid plans
• Requires extra payment for full VPN access

• Bitdefender for Windows
• Bitdefender for macOS
• Bitdefender for Android
• Bitdefender for iOS

🥉3. Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Linux — Best for Hybrid IT Environments (Business)

Kaspersky offers outstanding cybersecurity protection, if you have an endpoint security plan in a hybrid IT ecosystem

— some workstations can run Linux while others are on Windows and macOS.

Kaspersky’s Linux product integrates seamlessly into its products for other platforms. Administrators have the ability to work centrally – remotely setting tasks, configuring scans and managing security policies. The changes will affect all terminals regardless of operating systems.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security provides strong protection for Linux servers against ransomware. It uses “anticryptor technology”, which scans all files . When it finds unauthorized encryption, it blocks it. This prevents ransomware attacks from occurring at their earliest stages.

Kaspersky is available remotely for Linux, Windows and macOS computers. There’s no need to restart the computer or do any manual configuration. All endpoints in your business are continuously protected. You don’t even need to restart the computer.

Bottom Line:

Kaspersky Endpoint security for Linux is designed to help you manage your cybersecurity across the entire company. Kaspersky will be a great choice if the environment you work in uses Linux.

Kaspersky Antivirus 2022

Name: Review Kaspersky Antivirus

Description: Kaspersky Internet Security on Windows and Mac is an excellent, "set-and-forget it" security product. Bitdefender Internet Security costs slightly less and supports Windows only. Which one is right depends on your individual situation.

Offer price: $29.99 to up

Currency: USD

Operating System: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Application Category: Kaspersky Antivirus - Brand Review

Author: Best Antivirus

[ More ]

• Security
  (4)
• Features
  (3.5)
• Ease of use
  (4)
• Customer Support
  (4.5)
• Pricing
  (4)

Overall

4

Summary

Kaspersky has outstanding security software.

Kaspersky Internet Security for the low and mid-ends is an excellent, “set & forget” antivirus system. It is clearly superior to Kaspersky Anti-Virus Basic.

Kaspersky Total Security provides a powerful password manager at the top. We recommend upgrading to this product as it will significantly improve your cybersecurity.

Pros

• Excellent malware protection
• Great independent organization test scores
• User-friendly interface
• 24/7 customer support options
• Has a basic free version

Cons

• Lower brand trust
• Quite expensive
• Password manager only in expensive plans

• Kaspersky for Windows
• Kaspersky for macOS
• Kaspersky for Android
• Kaspersky for iOS

4. Sophos Antivirus for Linux — Best for File Servers (Home + Business)

Sophos antivirus for Linux gives protection against all forms of malware. The software is completely free and can be used on only one device. To have centralized management for multiple workstations and other support options, you can purchase an upgrade.

If you manage a Linux file server, you do not need to worry only about viruses designed for Linux systems. It is also important to identify malware intended to infect other operating platforms.

The Antivirus for Linux excels with this cross-platform functionality. Protects not just your Linux system, but all connected systems as well, regardless their operating systems.

Sophos uses advanced heuristics to detect malware. To allow Sophos to examine the code of suspicious files, they are either decompiled or executed in isolation virtual machines.

Sophos antivirus for Linux can be installed quickly and quietly.

Sophos Linux provides extensive scan customization options. These include the ability to exclude files or directories in order to speed up scan times and improve performance.

Bottom line:

Sophos Security for Linux is easy to use and offers advanced threat detection. It’s essential to protect your clients workstations from infections if you use Linux as a fileserver. Sophos detects and blocks all forms of malware from your server.

Sophos Antivirus

Name: Sophos Antivirus Review and Prices

Description: Sophos sells Sophos' single antivirus software package, Sophos Premium. It is available in three-year and two-year subscriptions. Home Premium for a one year plan is $44.99, and $59.99 each subsequent year. A two-year plan costs $74.99 and $99.99 for each of the subsequent two-year periods. A three year plan costs $104.99 in the first three years, $139.99 every three years thereafter. Sophos provides a credit-free 30-day trial with all of its protections.

Offer price: $44.99 to $139.99

Currency: USD

Operating System: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Application Category: Sophos - Brand Review

Author: Best Antivirus

[ More ]

• Security
  (4)
• Features
  (3.5)
• Ease of use
  (4)
• Customer Support
  (4)
• Pricing
  (3.5)

Overall

3.8

Summary

Sophos’ Home Premium antivirus program is good and performed well in our rating. Sophos Home Premium contains many of the protection tools incorporated in Sophos Central, an enterprise-level, cloud based cybersecurity platform. It addresses a variety hacking threats including ransomware, malware, and attempts to phish. Sophos Premium can’t remove a malicious program file. It will inform you where it is located and allow you to manually remove it. To find out more methods to get rid of the file, visit our knowledge base article.

Pros

• Single, low-cost paid version covers 10 devices
• Runs on both Windows and macOS PCs, with Android, iOS, and Chrome OS support pending

Cons

• No virtual private network (VPN) included or sold separately
• Relatively few features
• No identity theft monitoring

• Sophos for Windows
• Sophos for macOS
• Sophos for Android
• Sophos for iOS

5. Comodo Antivirus for Linux — Best for Home Users on Older Distros

Comodo Antivirus For Linux is one the few available antivirus solutions if you are using Linux at home. This is a simple-to-use antivirus software that provides strong protection against malware. Unfortunately, Comodo stopped supporting Linux a while back so you may have trouble getting it to work on your system.

Comodo, in addition to its powerful antivirus protection and firewall, offers Linux users real time malware protection and a firewall. It also has a mail gateway that blocks malicious files from entering your network. This is compatible with Postfix and qmail as well as Sendmail and Exim.

Comodo’s antivirus engine uses default deny protection. Comodo uses “Default Deny Protection” to protect unknown files, instead of checking them against a set of virus definitions. This blocks a file from accessing critical areas of your system, until it is proven harmless.

Comodo also offers real-time behavior analysis. You can upload files to Comodo’s remote server and allow Comodo security team to analyze them.

Be aware that Comodo Security for Linux is dependent on a dependency which not all Linux versions (above version 12.04 and Mint 13) can fulfill. I find it frustrating that this great Linux antivirus software isn’t getting the updates they deserve. I hope Comodo will make this right soon.

Bottom line:

Comodo Security for Linux will assist you to protect your Linux machine from all kinds of malware.

Bonus. F-Secure Linux Security — Best for Intrusion Detection (Business)

F-Secure Linux Security offers businesses comprehensive protection against malware across a wide array of Linux distributions.

F-Secure Ubuntu Security comes in two versions:

• Full Edition
  • This program runs using a graphical user interaction (GUI).
  • F-Secure is installed on all terminals and allows central control.
  • Provides real-time malware protection.
• Command Line Edition
  • Executes commands from the command-line (no GUI).
  • No real time protection (manual scanning and scheduled scanning).

F-Secure Complete Edition’s Real-Time Protection runs silently in the background at any time to protect against viruses

The report includes a detailed description of all system activities.

F-Secure Full Edition has also “Integrity Testing”, which monitors your system and alerts you if it detects unauthorised changes to any files or kernels.

The command line edition lets administrators run regular scans from the command-line. However, this does not allow for real-time monitoring nor an easy-to-use interface.

If you work in an industry that deals with sensitive or highly valuable information, it is important to take precautions to prevent intrusion on your network.

Bottom line:

F-Secure Linux Security provides strong protection against a wide variety of cyberattacks. However the Full Edition has comprehensive real time protection and Integrity Checking to guard against intruders.

How I Rated the Best Antivirus for Linux of 2022

Each Linux antivirus product that I list must excel in these areas.

• Security. Cyberattacks that target Linux systems are made to evade Linux-users who are typically more tech-savvy then the average person. These Linux antiviruses will protect you from the most sophisticated malware threats.
• Efficiency. Linux should be able detect suspicious behavior without affecting performance. We stress-tested each of these top antivirus software to ensure they are extremely efficient and low on resources.
• User-friendliness. Linux software is often not intuitive to use. However, it is crucial that cybersecurity software be configured properly and performs correctly. I expect all of these programs will be easy to understand by the intended users.
• Cost-Effective. If you are using Linux in a work environment, it is possible that you don’t have a lot of money for cybersecurity. I have reviewed every Linux antivirus on the market and can confirm that each one offers incredible value.

Does Linux need an antivirus?

Yes, Linux has to have antivirus protection like all other operating systems. Linux used to be a safe place from cyber threats. Linux used to be a secure platform for cybersecurity.

Some people believe that Linux does not need antivirus software. Antivirus software on Linux is often deemed unnecessary by some.

What’s the best antivirus for Linux?

Linux is different from other Linux systems.

Linux home users will appreciate the extra security. ESET NOD32 Linux Antivirus will protect your Linux home computer from advanced malware threats.

Linux can be used in a business environment. Your company and your customers owe you the protection of their data. Bitdefender Gravityzone Business Security is the best way to ensure that all workstations and servers are protected.

Businesses with larger budgets will be able to use Kaspersky Endpoint Security Linux Linux to secure all their devices.

What’s the best antivirus for Linux Ubuntu?

As a home user, ESETNOD32 for Linux is my top choice for Ubuntu antivirus.

Bitdefender Gravityzone business security is the best choice for Ubuntu users. It is the ideal solution for maintaining central control over security and monitoring a network of Ubuntu laptops.

Ubuntu users need to avoid Comodo Antivirus Linux, which won’t function on Ubuntu versions released after 12.04 (April 2011).

References

Refer : safetydetectives
Refer: wikipedia
Editor Team : BEST Antivirus KBS