Linux Malware

Linux malware includes viruses, trojans, worms and other types of malware that affect the Linux operating system. Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected, but not immune, from computer viruses.

There has not yet been a widespread Linux malware threat of the type that Microsoft Windows software faces; this is commonly attributed to the small number of users running Linux as a desktop operating system, the malware's lack of root access and fast updates to most Linux vulnerabilities.

The number of malicious programs — including viruses, Trojans, and other threats — specifically written for Linux has been on the rise in recent years and more than doubled during 2005 from 422 to 863.