Linux

12709 readers

407 users here now

A community for everything relating to the GNU/Linux operating system (except the memes!)

Also, check out:

Original icon base courtesy of lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

Ategon@programming.dev

anzo@programming.dev

dwraf_of_ignorance@programming.dev

(autistics.life)

submitted 16 hours ago by Uair@autistics.life to c/linux@programming.dev

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

@linux

Hello all! I recently got an old Dell laptop that had been repurposed as a Linux Mint machine. I was setting it up and fell at the first hurdle.

I tried to install ExpressVPN. The install package downloaded fine, but took two hours to extract and failed for "bad characters". I fiddled with it for a while and couldn't do better.

First, it's the VPN software for Linux desktop, since they didn't have one for laptops. Could this be the problem?

Second, do I really need a VPN if I don't torrent stuff? I just think of a VPN as a basic part of my security, but I don't really know.

And, third, speaking of basic security: do I need an antivirus on this?

Thanks for any help!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] cybervegan@autistics.life 5 points 14 hours ago

@Uair @linux If it's running Mint, use the Software Manager wherever possible. Really best to avoid the windows style "download off the web and run the installer" as Linux generally doesn't work well that way.

Using the SW manager on Mint, you should be able to install network-manager-openvpn and this will add a plugin to the network manager (e.g. wifi icon) to allow adding a VPN connection. Ping me if you need help.

WRT antivirus, personally, I don't install it, as most malware these days is browser based, but still tends to rely on a Windows or Apple backend, thus usually can't run on Linux machines. I may just have been lucky but I've been using Linux since about 1994 and never had a virus. I've also worked as a Linux admin for 15 years, and even run antivirus systems on commercial linux servers, but never had to deal with any infections. On Windows systems, the reverse was true. The most I've had to deal with is script-kiddie intrusions on server due to weak passwords or vulnerable software being exploited, neither of which anti-v would have helped with. Having said that, you can install ClamAV if you'd prefer. Will be relevant if you're intending to install random software off the internet... YMMV!