To protect your Raspberry Pi, installing antivirus software is essential. That’s why in this tutorial, we will talk about ClamAV, an antivirus program.

ClamAV is an open-source antivirus software that detects malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. Although the Raspberry Pi is generally considered safer than other systems due to its nature as an embedded system, using ClamAV can add an extra layer of protection. This is especially useful if you use your Pi to share files, browse the internet, or download data.

ClamAV scans files you download or transfer to the Raspberry Pi to check for threats. Its regularly updated database enables it to detect a wide range of malicious software. It can then remove them before they cause damage.

Main Features

  • Virus and malware detection: ClamAV can scan various files to detect viruses, trojans, worms, and other types of threats.

  • Command-line scanning: The tool mainly operates via command line, which can be advantageous for advanced users who prefer managing their systems through the terminal.

  • Regularly updated database: ClamAV benefits from a virus signature database that is frequently updated, ensuring effective detection of recent threats.

  • Support for compressed files and archives: ClamAV can scan compressed files (zip, tar, etc.) and archives, making it ideal for scanning downloaded files.

To install the Clam antivirus on the Raspberry Pi, we will use an application manager called Pi-app, which allows you to install all kinds of software on your device. You can download it using the following link:

wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Botspot/pi-apps/master/install | bash

Once the link is downloaded, you can click on the icon that appears on your desktop. You will need to confirm that you want to run the file:

After installing the manager, you will need to look for Clam under All Apps:

After that, all that’s left is to install the antivirus:

Once the antivirus is open, you have a menu containing several options:

  • Management of quarantined files

  • A history of antivirus actions

  • Scan of a file or folder if you have doubts

  • Full system scan