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Wine and Windows Viruses
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  1. #1
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    Wine and Windows Viruses

    Hi!

    I'm new to Linux and wondering about Wine.

    Since it makes Windows apps work there is a possibility that also its viruses will work. I searched and a few sites mentioned such things, but none confirmed this issue.

    In Wikipedia, it said this:
    "Because of Wine's ability to run Windows binary code, concerns have been raised over native Windows viruses and malware affecting Unix-like operating systems. Wine can run much malware, but programs running in Wine are confined to the current user's privileges, restricting some undesirable consequences. This is one reason Wine should never be run as the superuser."

    Here is the link.

    As far as I know, I cannot install unless I'm a root user, and I keep my Terminal as a root user opened for hours. Also, if I were to install windows apps under Wine, I'll have to log in as a root!

    So let me line the questions here:

    1- Does Wine activate Windows viruses?
    2- Can viruses run on their own while I log in as root in Terminal or while installing apps (whether under Wine or not)?

    This is what I remember for now!

    Thank you ^_^

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    Re: Wine and Windows Viruses

    You can't install linux programs unless you have superuser access but you can install Windows apps in Wine as a user. As that link says any malware will only have your user rights so the risk is low. If you get your windows programs from legitimate sources and take reasonable care the risk is almost non existent. If you are worried create a new user to run Wine and not your normal login.

    In summary what is possible in theory is very unlikely in the real world.

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    Re: Wine and Windows Viruses

    Thank you for your response. ^_^

    Things are clearer now, but also new questions popped!

    1- How does installing from another user differ? It's on the same hardware running on the same system, isn't?

    2- Viruses normally don't need anyone to install them on Windows or download them. They go in as you're net surfing. So is this also possible for Linux, Windows viruses entering but not working unless Wine is there?
    Last edited by Ohime Sama; 8th September 2011 at 01:31 AM.

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    Re: Wine and Windows Viruses

    Quote Originally Posted by Ohime Sama
    Thank you for your response. ^_^

    Things are clearer now, but also new questions popped!

    1- How does installing from another user differ? It's on the same hardware running on the same system, isn't?

    2- Viruses normally don't need anyone to install them on Windows or download them. They go in as you're net surfing. So is this also possible for Linux, Windows viruses entering but not working unless Wine is there?
    1. As the malware will only have the access the current user having a separate user will mean it can't access any of your other data. If the user can't do it the virus can't do it.

    2. In theory yes but if you are careful with you online habits you won't get them anyway.

  5. #5
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    Re: Wine and Windows Viruses

    Thank you very much! ^_^

    This helped a lot! ^_^

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