this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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DO NOT download and install random programs from the internet. Not a deb/rpm file, not an elf binary, not an install script, nothing. Use your package manager or desktop environment's app store. At most use flatpak or snap packages.
Linux gets its reputation for not getting malware from the same place Mac does: It has a managed app repository where you get all your software from. Difference is Mac doesn't let you install arbitrary programs at all, while Linux expects you to know better than to do that. Someone who doesn't know what they're doing downloading Linux programs from random websites will inevitably hit one of the super rare Linux malware in the wild.
Even ignoring security issues, running an install script even from a reputable open source project's website can open you up to package dependency hell. And if you ever need to upgrade or modify it, you're in for a rough time because none of the existing tools built into your distro will help you. It's even worse than Windows when this happens because Windows at least expects for things like this to happen (because everything comes in its own installer and handles updates separately) and has UX elements to help non tech savvy users deal with their mess of apps, Linux expects anyone bypassing the normal package manager to know what they're doing and if you don't, it won't be a good day for you.
The average day of a "computer wiz" on debian (me):
sudo apt install ./randomshitfromgithub.debsudo nano /etc/apt/sources.listpastes stuff in"Oh no something isn't working right!" Pastes some slop from chatgpt into the terminal
9 months later
"This shits fucked beyond repair, time for a clean install!"
Honestly? Not much different than my experience with windows. ;P
Great response, which also helps to answer one of the first questions from non-tech users: which anti-virus do I download for Linux?
Since when does Mac not let you install whatever program you want? Are you thinking of iOS?
I think it's like by default not allowed but there are settings you can change but you have to go through a bunch of warnings and scare prompts
As far as I know when you download a dmg, the OS checks its signatures against Apple's registry and only allows installation if it's approved. The developer would have submitted the app to Apple (for like $100) for them to inspect even if it's not on the "official" app store.
Not a Mac user so please call me out if I'm just talking out my ass.
Right click, select "open."
In a better time, yes. These days it'll throw a warning that the application can't be trusted and offers to throw it in the bin. You have to run a command in the terminal now. Every time the app updates.
LibreWolf has updated?
Gotta do the dance again. Every. Fucking. Time.
I'm still running 14, has it changed since?
Does this still work to disable it system-wide?
sudo spctl --master-disableis it impossible to disable gatekeeper now?
Yes it's impossible to do it fully now :( but you can open programs from unapproved developers by going into settings > security > and select "open anyways". It's kinda a hassle when you like using open source software.
Sadly, just the store doesn't work for many professional programs and non-free software.
Segger j-link, renesas go hub, Nordic tools, etc... (though AUR solves this on arch distros)
Also, for Arch folk: AUR isn't a traditional repo. Always be careful what you pull from there. Check pkgbuild files for weird shit and avoid unpopular bin files.
Now the KDE Discover store on Kubuntu needs to let me say no when an app asks for "Full Access: Can Access Everything on your System". It's a bloody text editor, what access could it possibly need.