Viruses and malware pose a constant threat to systems, making it essential to secure your server. ClamAV is a popular open-source antivirus engine used for detecting trojans, malware, and viruses. In this guide, we will show you how to install and use ClamAV to scan for viruses on Ubuntu 24.04. Using a reliable WindowsVPS for your VPS server can help ensure that your system is secure and performs optimally.

Step 1: Prepare Your VPS Server

Before you begin, it’s important to ensure that your VPS server is up to date. Regular updates ensure security patches are applied to your system. Run the following commands to update your Ubuntu 24.04 system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

If you are using a WindowsVPS, you can enjoy enhanced security features and better performance, making it easier to manage your server’s health.

Step 2: Install ClamAV

ClamAV is available in the default Ubuntu repositories, making the installation process simple. To install ClamAV and the ClamAV daemon (for real-time scanning), run the following command:

sudo apt install clamav clamav-daemon -y

Once installed, ensure ClamAV is up to date with the latest virus definitions:

sudo freshclam

Step 3: Start and Enable ClamAV Daemon

Next, start the ClamAV daemon to enable background scanning and real-time virus detection:

sudo systemctl start clamav-daemon

To ensure that ClamAV starts automatically at boot, run:

sudo systemctl enable clamav-daemon

Step 4: Scan for Viruses

Now that ClamAV is installed, you can use it to scan your VPS server for viruses. ClamAV offers two types of scans: quick scans and full system scans. To perform a quick scan on a specific directory, run:

sudo clamscan -r /path/to/directory

If you want to scan your entire system, use the following command:

sudo clamscan -r / --exclude-dir="^/sys" --exclude-dir="^/proc"

This command recursively scans the entire file system, excluding the /sys and /proc directories, which contain system files that don’t need to be scanned.

Step 5: Automate Virus Scanning

For continuous security, you can set up a scheduled scan using Cron. Open the Cron configuration file:

sudo crontab -e

Add the following line to schedule a daily scan at midnight:

0 0 * * * /usr/bin/clamscan -r / --exclude-dir="^/sys" --exclude-dir="^/proc" --log=/var/log/clamav_scan.log

This will run a scan every day at midnight and log the results in /var/log/clamav_scan.log. For VPS users, this ensures consistent virus scanning and protection, particularly important for sensitive environments.

Step 6: View Scan Results

Once the scan is complete, ClamAV will output the results in the terminal or to the log file you specified. The results will indicate if any viruses or suspicious files were found. If ClamAV detects anything, it will flag it for you to take action.

Step 7: Remove Infected Files

If ClamAV finds any viruses, you can manually remove them or set ClamAV to automatically quarantine or delete infected files. To remove infected files automatically, add the --remove option to your scan command:

sudo clamscan -r / --remove

However, use this option with caution, as it will permanently delete infected files.

Conclusion

Using ClamAV on Ubuntu 24.04 is an effective way to secure your VPS server from viruses and malware. By regularly scanning your system, you can prevent infections from harming your server. For enhanced security, performance, and peace of mind, consider using a WindowsVPS to host your applications on a reliable and secure VPS server.

For more information on securing your VPS or choosing the right hosting solution, visit WindowsVPS today.