【+12 Best Antivirus for Linux】Free List! ▷ 2022

Although it is true, Linux is a free Unix-like POSIX operating system, which stands out for being based on a multi-platform, multi-user and multi-tasking solution. Since it is similar to the famous Microsoft Windows, it has a large number of users around the world and well, more and more are being added all the time.

However, as with all operating systems, these users are not exempt from contracting any type of virus or malware on their computer. For said reason, it is worth making use of an optimal antivirus for Linux And what better than finding completely free alternatives.

In this way, we want to let you know, through this post, the best antivirus options you have to install on your computer that operates under Linux. Considering that, hackers love Linux to infect their users with viruses and malware; so it is appropriate to avoid it. In addition to this, we also indicate what are the main characteristics of an effective antivirus for such OS.

List of the best antivirus for Linux that you can install on your computer for free

Although it is not very common to hear someone say that their Linux machine was infected with a virus or malware, the truth is that these computers are also vulnerable to these types of threats. For this reason, it is important that you download and install a good antivirus that you constantly use on your computer.

In this sense, we have compiled for you, a total of 12 antivirus programs that exhibit excellent performance on Linux And best of all, they are completely free solutions.

Next, we detail each option with its particularities of greatest interest, also keeping in mind its main advantages and disadvantages:

BitDefender

At the top of the list, we place this powerful antivirus that was launched on the market in 2001 and since then, it has become one of the leading software in this industry. Therefore, it is compatible with Linux and also with Windows and Mac (in all operating systems offers a free trial). Which is based on analyzing files, email accounts and websites in real time.

Among its most important characteristics, we find that provides a fully customizable user interfaceso that it allows its clients to choose the level of simplicity or complexity to make use of this antivirus.

Thus, it allows three interface views: essential (has the simplest set of options), intermediate (provides access to more options and features) and expert (provide details to users about all software operations).

Advantage

• Provides a great anti-spyware and anti-phishing protection.
• offers a complete file scanning.
• It has the function of “rescue mode” which is responsible for placing the computer in a safe place, in case of disaster (rootkits, ransonware, viruses, Trojans, etc.).
• It includes technical support at all timesthat is, 24/7.
• can be run directly from the command line.
• Count with one “portable mode” that allows you to save battery resources whenever your laptop is unplugged.
• You will not have to configure absolutely nothing to get the most out of the software and it does not contain alerts or pop-ups.

Disadvantages

• It is estimated as a short term solution. Since, it is no longer being supported.
• BitDefender provides results below par when it comes to detecting spyware and scareware, specifically. Taking into account that, during a test, it managed to detect only 77% of the scareware samples.
• various features are blocked behind a paywall. That is, behind a system that restricts access to content to users who do not have a paid subscription.

*Note: To enjoy Bitdefender for Linux, you will need to pay for the subscription.

Clam AV

One of the most famous solutions for Linux computers, without a doubt, is this free open source antivirus which is still under active development. In this sense, it stands out for being a program with a simple graphical interface that has regular updates for virus definitions.

In addition to this, it offers options for schedule on-demand scans in order to quickly scan your computer for malware.

For its part, Clam AV supports the command line interface scanner, offers email scanning and one of its best features is that it has support for a wide variety of file types (Like, for example: Office, PDF, ZIP, etc.). It should be noted that this program has been specially designed for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, BSD and others.

Advantage

• It is a software easy installation (portable) and configuration. Therefore, it is estimated as an ideal alternative for the most beginner users.
• It works, perfectly fine, as a versatile and long-term solution.
• It is defined as an antivirus that not intrusive and this is precisely what is required when executing such a program on a Linux machine.
• You can detect about 350,000 viruses, worms and trojansjust like programmed viruses.
• Supports platforms 32 and 64 bit.

Disadvantages

• It is not a resident virus and this means that it does not have the ability to constantly analyze your computer in real time.
• Clam AV does not have native GUIalthough you can download your own.
• The engine does not have the financial backing of a user base with which to employ cybersecurity specialists to look for emerging threats in user-submitted code samples.
• Scheduled scanning can only be configured depending on each unit.

ClamTk

Although it is not an antivirus as such, it stands out as a good security solution for Linux users. Since this is a front-end graphic for Clam AV antivirus software. Which is fully designed to be an antivirus scanner on demand for Linux-type systems, with the ability to scan individual files or directories.

In that sense, basically, ClamTK consists of a graphical interface that gives you the facility to carry out actions without the requirement to open the terminal. Thanks to this, it achieves excellent protection for your system and is distinguished by being an ideal solution for those users who need a good antivirus, but do not want to use the command line (although it can also be run from the command line interface ).

Advantage

• It is a very light tool and because of that, it doesn’t consume a lot of system resources.
• It is characterized by being extremely easy to use and handle on Linux systems.
• Its design allows it to function as an on-demand antivirus scanner Very powerful.
• It allows configure manual or automatic updates for ClamAV virus definitions.
• is clearly gratuitous.

Disadvantages

• On various occasions, some users of this tool have indicated that their scan engine may take a noticeable amount of time to output results. That is, this function becomes slow.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

It is an antivirus software developed by the company ESET of Slovak origin and built exclusively for the Linux operating system. However, the product is also available for Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris, Novell, and FreeBSD. It even has versions for mobile devices, email servers, file servers, Gateway servers and a remote administration console.

For its part, this antivirus offers high capacity heuristic analysis with detection of viruses and other malicious code. In addition to this, with respect to its disk space, we note that the installer occupies a total of 6MB and on disk only 2MB. It should be noted that it provides automatic updates.

Advantage

• The malware detection rates it shows are exceptionally strong.
• offers analysis very fast. Said increase in analysis speed is done by associative search using multilevel caching and low-level programming optimization.
• It has standard and advanced view.
• The memory consumption that it exhibits is really small.
• In the event of an infringement, it guarantees the reconstruction of the most important critical areas of the system.
• Has the ability to work remotelyso it allows you to work with multiple servers located in various places.

Disadvantages

• Unfortunately, the program is locked behind a paywall after the free trial.
• Compared to other antivirus for Linux, ESET NOD32 is considered to be it lacks more options for its management.
• On some occasions, it presents certain problems to detect files of type compressed.
• It has support for few file formats (only ZIP, RAR and ACE).

sophos

Another of the best solutions for Linux computers refers to this antivirus that is also compatible with other systems such as Windows, Mac OS X and Android. Among its most optimal characteristics, we find that it is between and that gives you high heuristic-based malware detection.

Among other details, Sophos provides on-demand and real-time scanningshows the minimum impact on system performance because it is very light, has truly powerful functions and, thanks to this, guarantees complete protection against threats that may put your computer at risk.

Advantage

• Provides magnificent protection against malware, worms and trojans.
• It has small files update.
• Offers the option of exclude certain files and directories.
• It is characterized by its simplified and automated administration. Which is why it reduces the administrative burden by automating the deployment of protection.
• Your scan engine it is high speed and its integrated technologies
• intrusion prevention and instant cloud-based protection combine to detect new threats constantly.

Disadvantages

• His biggest problem is that, in certain cases, he himself recognized some of its own files as malware and deleted them.
• Although it has an anti-ransomware feature, it is locked behind the paid version.
• It does not come with a built-in GUI.
• For some users, its configuration interface can be very complex.
• does not exhibit the ability to disinfect executables.

F-PROT Antivirus

It is an antivirus program that is based on a product with great ease of use, complete reliability and remarkable speed, in order to provide a powerful and affordable antivirus solution. In this way, it has excellent characteristics that allow you to obtain complete protection against boot sector viruses and trojansespecially.

On the other hand, it is an alternative completely free that offers on-demand scans, as well as scheduled scans and, as if that were not enough, it has internal drives and drivers support. It is appropriate to note that this software is also available for Microsoft Windows.

Advantage

• It is highly recommended because…