[NTLUG:Discuss] linux antivirus

[Darin W. Smith]

On 19 Jun 2003 13:25:52 -0500, MadHat <madhat at unspecific.com> wrote:

> I still hvae concerns because the rest of the site does not concur, but
> I am paranoid and a realist, knowing that I will be sued at the drop of
> the hat if someone is given the opportunity.
>

Not to start a debate or anything, but I can't see what you are so 
concerned about...

I'm a realist, and I've been accused of being paranoid.  However, taking a 
look around their site and in the download, I don't see anything to get me 
worried.  One of the links you referenced (http://www.f- 
prot.com/download/download_fplinux.html) says:
"* The license for F-Prot Antivirus for Linux Workstations is without 
charge for personal users, when used on personal workstations. If you are a 
personal user, please visit our home users section for download 
information."

When you click on the link they give you there for home users, you get 
this:
"For home users using the Linux open-source operating system, we offer F- 
Prot Antivirus for Linux Workstations. F-Prot Antivirus for Linux 
Workstations utilizes the renowned F-Prot Antivirus scanning engine for 
primary scan but has in addition to that a system of internal heuristics 
devised to search for unknown viruses

F-Prot Antivirus for Linux was especially developed to effectively 
eradicate viruses threatening workstations running Linux. It provides full 
protection against macro viruses and other forms of malicious software - 
including Trojans."

"F-Prot Antivirus for Linux Workstations is available for download free of 
charge for individuals from our download center."

It ships with a LICENSE text file, which has the identical text to the 
LICENSING section in the man-page:
LICENSING
       F-PROT Antivirus Limited Site License

       Frisk Software International (FSI) grants the  Licensee  a
       non-exclusive,  non-transferable license to use the F-Prot
       Antivirus for Linux software package upon per server  pur-
       chase  of  (F-Prot Antivirus), effective from date of pur-
       chase. This License applies to the anti-virus software  F-
       Prot  Linux  for Small Business (known as the command line
       version) and F-Prot Linux for Enterprise  Business  (known
       as  the  daemon  version).   All  rights  not specifically
       granted here are reserved by FSI.

       F-Prot Antivirus for Linux or parts of it may be installed
       on  one  Linux  server  per license agreement by Licensee.
       Additionally, as many copies may be made for  backup  pur-
       poses as necessary.

       The  license  is effective until terminated, unless other-
       wise specified.  Licensee may terminate it at any time  by
       sending  a  written  notice or email to FSI and destroying
       all copies of the software in use  by  Licensee.  FSI  may
       terminate  the  license  if Licensee fails to pay required
       license fees.

       License shall be without charge for personal users  of  F-
       Prot Linux for Small Business, when used on personal work-
       stations.

  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'd say that last part--which ships with the software in two different 
files (the license agreement and the man page), is pretty explicit.

Hey, they aren't MS or SCO.  They are pretty clear if you look around a bit 
that for personal workstation use, the license is free of charge.  If you 
use it in the business sense, or you want a version that runs as a daemon, 
then you have to pay.

-- 
D!
Darin W. Smith
AIM: JediGrover
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite 
you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." --Mark 
Twain "Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar"