I looked into AV for Linux Mint and read a lot of stuff on it. There does not appear to be any worthwhile AV software out there to run on it other than ClamAV which is basically to stop you from transferring any dodgy material that
may be harboured on your machine, to a Windows unit.
There are AV out there, if I recall correctly eset nod32 for Linux but only commercial ones
https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus-linux/
I honestly don’t know what Linux systems it might protect though and I really don’t care for the hassle of finding out either.
To be honest, your best bet is to run
only one particular version of either Chrome or Firefox for sensitive data, like banking etc and obviously another for day to day surfing.
In my opinion, if you are using the net at
any time, my choice of
browser protection would be to
Firejail the browser. This is like using Sandboxie; a similar concept.
https://firejail.wordpress.com/
On your clean and freshly installed "secure browser" you can create a launcher to start it jailed so that you don’t get any interference from add-ons, dodgy plug-ins or whatever. From there on, only ever use it for the purpose you intend it for and you will most likely be as
secure as you can get these days, but that is another story.
So, staying safe? I personally have no gripes using Linux as a secure way of "sensitive data transfer".
Another alternative would be to run a VM with a Windoze guest
just for that particular activity. Your average AV would slow it down terribly, but a program like Shadow Defender would work great
without the need for heavy duty AV.
Also recommend, the obligatory free SuperAntispyware installed on it too.
I have never come across a virus or infection yet that has managed to alter my machines behaviour. But then again, I am very,
very cautious.
I'm running Zorin 9 with windows 7 duel boot.
