MX Linux Forum

Hi

I had MX 21.1 for a long time but it was getting buggy and heavy, So I installed MX 21.3 on same hard drive on dual boot.
I would like to ask if there is any "Malware" on MX21.1 can it jump to fresh install of MX 21.3?

My parition looks something like this;

MX 21.1 Root SDA 1
MX 21.3 Root SDA 2


SDA 3 (Extended Parition)
MX 21.1 HOME SDA 4
MX 21.3 HOME SDA 5


I previously had "Debian 11 Home" on SDA 5 & "Debian 11 Root" on SDA 2

Please post your Quick System Info using Copy for forum, for both installs. Thanks.

No. The malware plague is restricted to the Microsoft platforms.

@j2mcgreg We shall have to discuss some day, I read lots of articles that differ on that, and I have removed "malware" from chrome and email on linux machines. so... technically ... I have to beg to disagree :-)

Can we see if this malware is actually a booboo somewhere by looking at the QSI and going from there?

People will call something malware because they don't know what it is. :)

Eadwine Rose wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:43 pm Can we see if this malware is actually a booboo somewhere by looking at the QSI and going from there?

People will call something malware because they don't know what it is. :)

Precisely what I was about to say ;-) ( Great minds )

In my experience most of the "malware" stuff that people talk about in Linux world is bad/annoying browser extensions. Yes, those would jump between installs if you are logged into into a browser sync service.

firefox recommended configured, do not use third-party extensions for your security.

I don't use firefox extension only recommendable browser: rigorous

the antix activated in mx linux

Adrian wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:52 pm ...Yes, those would jump between installs if you are logged into into a browser sync service.

Is there a possibility for malware (or any harmful file in general) to travel between my home directories of MX 21.1 and MX21.3?

As both are on the same extended partition

That is what I would like to know exactly, I'm not an expert on partition so that's where I am stuck and confused.

Not everything that is possible it's likely, I have the feeling you are asking the wrong question. Many things are possible...
The question is, what is actually the problem, what do you call "malware"?

Adrian wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 4:24 pm The question is, what is actually the problem, what do you call "malware"?

So, basically I installed some files for KDE Plasma configuration. After that my Plasma got sluggish and would freeze completely and if I did reboot, my computer would start but no display. After some tries I got into my system and took out the important files out.(still many trapped inside)

I am not sure if the files which I download from the web caused it. But if this comes from the files I was afraid if it may harm my new installation of MX 21.3. Since it is on the dual boot with my previous MX install.

Hope, I have been able to clear some misconception. Also, please forgive my misuse of terminologies as I might get them mixed with Windows terminologies, since I migrated from it.

Most likely, you have just gotten some mismatched files or something that is not working properly and caused the issue.

However, if it would make you feel better, install clamav, update and run it looking at ALL partitions and see if it finds anything.

Plasma 5.27 is quite sluggish on older hardware. I found the Wayland session is quite usable with Plasma 5.27, though I have heard of complaints when paired with some hardware and multiple monitors.
If you can provide your Quick System Info that could provide some clues as to what's going on, likely it could just be Plasma being Plasma.

Depending on how difficult it would be to recreate your previous configuration was like, I would be inclined to dump it and start from scratch. From my experience, KDE Plasma doesn't do well with previous configurations, and starting fresh often results in much better performance.