Are Flatpaks from Flathub Safe from Malware?
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TechJunkie42
I'm curious about the risks associated with using Flatpaks, especially when downloading them through the Mint Software Manager, which I believe uses Flathub as a source. If I have the unverified packages option enabled, how concerned should I be about malware? I understand that 'unverified' just indicates that the package isn't from the original author. Overall, how effective is the malware filter for these packages? Are only obscure programs more likely to be dangerous?
Answers
I usually prefer getting software directly from the developer instead of relying on third-party packagers. While most packages are probably safe, there have been instances like the Snap store where unofficial packages ended up having malware—so it can happen with any packaging system.
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Just a heads up, I found a Flatpak for FreeFileSync on Flathub, which is a solid backup tool. The username tied to it matches the developer's account on their support forum. Like you, I was worried that the official site didn’t link to it at all, and I asked them to do so for verification. They weren’t aware of the Flatpak, which is concerning. I’m not too fond of Flathub either; it feels like it can legitimize potentially unsafe software. My rule of thumb is to always check if a program is linked from the author’s official site before trusting it.
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Remember to provide details about your distro and hardware when asking technical questions, as it can really help others assist you better!
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