Is this really that big of an issue? No, I am totally serious. Should we be concerned about this or are perhaps still safe for the time being. In all honesty, I think it will require a bit longer to really be sure.

Assuming you’re safe from viruses and other malware just because you are on a non-Windows platform is a big mistake, as the number of Linux-based malware doubled in 2005, and Mac OS X is next to get hit, according to a report from Kaspersky Labs.

In a report titled “2005: *nix Malware Evolution,” the Russian antivirus software developer pointed out that the number of Linux-based malicious programs — viruses, Trojans, back-doors, exploits, and whatnot — doubled from 422 to 863.

Numerically, that pales compared to the 11,000 Kaspersky found for Windows in the second half of 2005 alone.

However, it could be more devastating because many non-Windows users assume malware is only a Windows problem and don’t take any precautions. Kaspersky said Linux users are careful, but one security expert disagrees.

“With Linux users, there’s a very vigilant effort to make sure the system is as secure as possible, mostly because Linux people are very aware of security dangers and the security that needs to be put in place,” said Shane Coursen, senior technical consultant with Kaspersky’s U.S. office in Woburn, Mass…. Source: InternetNews

[tags]windows,linux,malware,antivirus software,vigilant effort[/tags]