Post #1316732
2026-03-09 21:53 UTC
@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!
Replies (3)
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@threeforks@mastodon.social 2026-03-09 22:58
@cybervegan @Uair @linux Really great answer! You should get some kind of a gold star or something.
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@Uair@autistics.life 2026-03-20 19:09
@cybervegan I haven't seen the word "script-kiddie" in probably two decades. Thanks for mugging me on memory lane :) And thanks for the advice.
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@Uair@autistics.life 2026-03-29 23:42
@cybervegan I just got back to this and I'm still failing on the VPN. I have network-manager-openvpn installed as part of my build, but I can't seem to find how to access it. Is the Software Manager anything more than an app store? Is there any way I can get it to manage an install from a downloaded installer?