BleepingComputer.com: newbie linux question

Is it true viruses and malicious codes cannot run on Linux? I know most of these codes are written for Windows only, but are there Linux virus writers? Are Linux hackers abundant? A thought came to my mind about networking. Run Linux on the computer that directly connects to the internet, and then connect other computers with Windows via a router to perform tasks. Would Linux on the directly connected computer prevent viruses and other malicious codes from getting onto the Window systems? You know, like use the Linux computer act as a firewall. Would this work?

(hope I'm not sounding like a huge newbie)

Nope, it is not true http://www.claymania.com/unix-viruses.html

There are less Viruses and Trojans for Linux because it is a less popular operating system. The payout for the writer is less because there are less machines out their to get infected.

Another reasoning that people point out is that Linux Users are more computer and security savvy. Most don't use their machine in the root {known as Admin on Windows} account. If you run your windows machine in a restricted account, it is considerably harder to infect the computer too.

A lot of people do use Linux boxes as firewall. There are many distro's of Linux that are built to be used just for firewalls, It can help, but, you can't expect it stop everything. Common sense is your best weapon against getting infected.

This post has been edited by ColdinCbus: 19 September 2004 - 02:59 PM

Thanks.