this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2023
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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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Viruses don't need to be .exes by the way. There were spectre/meltdown proofs of concept that only ever used front end JavaScript.
Because the modern style of CPU attack (zenbleed too) usually side chains access to private memory (where your authentication details exist) they can get full system control without executing any .exes.
That computer would need a firewall disabling all incoming traffic, the latest bios firmware patches and js disabled on Firefox to be close to safe. And that's the base level stuff.
Edit: changed VPN to firewall. That was silly.