Arch Linux’s AUR is experiencing a malware incident involving user-contributed packages with malicious commits that attempt to download npm-based payloads during installation. (…)
Arch users should not update AUR packages without review. Examine PKGBUILD diffs, check any new .install files, and be cautious if updates introduce npm commands or dependencies unrelated to the software.
Users who recently updated affected AUR packages should review package history, examine executed suspicious install scripts, and treat any unexpected npm-based installation behavior as a possible compromise.
Technically there is no such thing as a “completely secure system”
What Linux offers is the fact that by nature of being FOSS, there are millions of eyes on source code at any one time, and so potential exploits can usually be spotted and mitigated faster than waiting for the software maker to fix their own shit. And the fact that, in most cases with Windows, the call is coming from inside the house, so-to-speak; It’s the operating system itself that is malicious and anti-user.
To put it simply: Yes…linux can be attacked just like windows. But we live in an open-concept house with no hidden corners, and we’ve got a pretty great neighbourhood watch thing going on. Versus Windows users who live a house filled with cameras and alarms, surrounded by a giant wall that they can’t see over, and they have to rely on the security company to do anything about the burglar trying to get in.
I’ll take my chances with the community approach every time.