ZDNet Australia: Linux/Unix Viruses Demand Special Attention

“Not that long ago, many administrators assumed Linux and other
Unix-based platforms were virtually invulnerable to viruses and
worms.

“I’m not sure why they became so complacent in their analysis of
these threats, particularly since the first major worm, launched in
1988 by Robert Morris, was released on Unix systems that used the
well-known Sendmail messaging program. I guess everyone became so
caught up in criticising the security of Microsoft operating
systems and software–which has become the most popular target of
virus writers–that they forgot about the existing vulnerabilities
in Unix.

“With the announcement of the Klez virus infection on Linux
platforms, leading antivirus vendors started reminding us that
Microsoft operating systems are not the only vulnerable OS when it
comes to viruses. Even though users of Linux and other popular Unix
platforms may not be big users of the Microsoft bundled
applications that transmit viruses, Linux and Unix have their own
vulnerabilities that may not be apparent at first glance…”

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