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submitted 17 hours ago by Uair@autistics.life to c/linux@programming.dev

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@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!

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[–] hallettj@leminal.space 3 points 8 hours ago

In this context "Linux desktop" means not a server. Or in other words, a Linux computer with a graphical user interface. So it includes laptops. I can't think of any software that would work on a desktop that wouldn't work on laptop.

You'll sometimes see the "desktop" clarification because technically the majority of Linux computers are headless servers. (Headless means no screen.)