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Sophos Protection for Linux

Version 5.22.0New commercial

Sophos Protection for Linux is an endpoint security solution providing antivirus, anti-malware, and threat detection for Linux servers and workstations.

Summary

Sophos Protection for Linux is a commercial endpoint security agent that runs on Linux servers to detect and contain threats, managed through the Sophos Central console. It combines on-access and on-demand malware scanning with automatic quarantine on signature match, runtime detection feeding a Taegis data lake for events like DNS queries and connection SNISNIA TLS extension that lets a client declare which hostname it is connecting to during the handshake, allowing one server to host multiple certificates on a single IP address. details, and response controls such as network isolation and path-based allow-listing to suppress false positives. It runs as an agent installed directly on the host, with installer options for custom locations and pre-installation environment checks, and supports a broad range of Linux environments including ARM64ARM64The 64-bit instruction set architecture from ARM Holdings, used in modern mobile chips, Apple Silicon, and cloud server CPUs; tools target it to run natively on those platforms without emulation overhead. hardware and newer kernels. It is aimed at SOCSOCA security operations center, the team or function that monitors threats, investigates alerts and coordinates incident response. Its work can be internal, outsourced or shared. analysts and Linux infrastructure teams who need endpoint detection and responseendpoint detection and responseEndpoint detection and response, monitoring computers for suspicious behavior and providing investigation and response controls, such as isolating a device. coverage outside the Windows-centric tools most EDREDREndpoint detection and response, monitoring computers for suspicious behavior and providing investigation and response controls, such as isolating a device. platforms are built around. With 30 releases in the window we track, the product is under active, frequent development.

Sophos Protection for Linux is an endpoint security solution providing antivirus, anti-malware, and threat detection for Linux servers and workstations.

How Sophos Protection for Linux helps

Has a file on this server been silently tampered with since installation?

matches on-disk agent files against expected state and automatically detects and recovers unauthorized changes, without relying on an admin noticing first

Which malware touched this host, and was it actually stopped?

scans on-access and on-demand, and on a signature match quarantines the file automatically, so the event log shows containment rather than just a detection

Is a detection on this box a real threat or a known-safe tool tripping the scanner?

lets an analyst allow the specific file by its path or filename from the event details, so future runs of that binary stop generating the same alert

What did a suspicious process on this host actually talk to on the network?

surfaces DNS queries and the SNI hostname from connection events in the data lake, giving the domain a process reached even when the traffic was encrypted

Can a compromised Linux server be cut off from the network without losing the ability to manage it?

isolates the endpoint from Sophos Central while keeping the management channel open, then reverses the isolation or adds exclusions from the same console

Is the Linux fleet actually healthy from a detection standpoint, not just running?

reports the runtime detections service state in the Security Health view, so a stopped or degraded sensor shows up as a health problem rather than silence

all 15 features, with the evidence for each →

Languages

Not documented

Features

15 capabilities across 3 capability groups

Built from Sophos Protection for Linux's releases, docs, README and our own runs. “Seen” marks the month we first spotted a release the vendor didn't date. Group names and tags are our labels.

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  • Sophos Protection for Linux covers 3 of the 11 endpoint investigation and controls capabilities we track.

What Sophos Protection for Linux offers you

  • Agent-based deployment2
  • Command-line interface1
  • Kubernetes-native deployment1
Host network isolation 1 feature Endpoint investigation and controls since 2024
Linux Device Isolation shipped Allows Linux endpoints to be isolated from the network while retaining management connectivity via Sophos Central. 2 releases · first seen Feb 2024

Shared capability: Host network isolation

release

  • Adds Device Isolation for Linux: isolate a Linux endpoint from the network via Sophos Central while retaining management connectivity, using existing isolate/remove-from-isolation/exclusion controls. Version 2024.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds network device isolation capability for Linux endpoints, managed through Sophos Central without losing agent manageability 2024.1 · Feb 2024 · source · release history
File quarantine 1 feature Endpoint investigation and controls since 2021
Linux Runtime Detections shipped Provides on-access and on-demand file scanning with automatic quarantine, tamper resiliency, custom application allow-listing, and security health integration for Linux hosts. 18 releases · first seen Jul 2021

Shared capability: File quarantine

Also counts toward: Agent-based deployment

release 18 total

  • Adds automatic detection and recovery for unauthorized changes to SPL Agent files (Tamper Resiliency). Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adding the Sophos Linux Runtime Detections service to Security Health may change the reported security health state for Linux devices in Sophos Central after upgrading. Version 2024.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds on-access file scanning for the Sophos Linux Agent, configurable via server threat protection policies in Sophos Central (off by default). Version 2023.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Introduces malware quarantine for the Sophos Linux Agent, covering both on-access and on-demand scanning, automatically isolating files on signature match. Version 2023.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds allow-list-by-path support for Linux, letting users permit applications by filename or path — configurable from event details or at General Settings > Allowed Applications. Version 2024.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Includes the Sophos Linux Runtime Detections service in the Security Health view in Sophos Central, updating the health state reported for Linux devices. Version 2024.1 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
Remote forensic collection 1 feature Endpoint investigation and controls since 2025
Linux Forensic Data Gathering shipped Enables Incident Response teams to quickly gather information from the endpoint during an investigation via SDU support. 1 release · first seen Oct 2025

Shared capability: Remote forensic collection

release

  • Linux Forensic SDU support enables Incident Response teams to quickly gather information from the endpoint during an investigation. 2025.2 · Oct 2025 · source · release history
Other / not yet classified 12 features Features we have not matched to a capability yet. A suggested match is marked.
Linux Installation and Maintenance Options shipped Provides installer options for custom install locations, pre-installation checks, and configuration of Linux servers as Update Caches and Message Relays. 11 releases · first seen Apr 2021

release 11 total

  • Enables Linux servers with SPL Agent to be configured as Update Caches and Message Relays in Sophos Central. Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds Update Cache and Message Relay configuration roles for the SPL Agent to reduce bandwidth consumption in Sophos Central management. 2026.3 · Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds installer option to designate a custom install location for the SPL Agent. Version 2023.4 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds installer option to run pre-installation checks without installing the SPL Agent, enabling environment verification and troubleshooting. Version 2023.4 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Update Management policy now includes Linux support for configuring content updates. 2025.2 · Oct 2025 · source · release history
  • Introduces Enterprise Software Management support, replacing Controlled Updates, giving customers staged rollout control across their estate. Version 2023.3 · Jan 2024 · source · release history
Linux sensor support shipped Runs a sensor on Linux hosts across a range of kernel versions, extended to include kernel 7.1. 11 releases · first seen Jun 2022

release 11 total

  • Sophos Protection for Linux now supports kernel 7.3. Version 5.22.0New · seen Oct 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds support for kernel 7.1. Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Extends kernel support to version 7.1 for runtime detection stability on newer distributions. 2026.3 · Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds support for kernel 7.1, extending the range of Linux environments where the sensor can run. Version 5.19.0New · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Added support for Linux kernels 6.19 and 7.0 2026.2 · May 2026 · source · release history
  • Added support for kernel 6.18 2026.1 · Mar 2026 · source · release history
Data lake event ingestion shipped Ingests network and DNS telemetry — including connection events with SNI details and DNS query events — into the Taegis data lake for analysis. 6 releases · first seen Apr 2021

release

  • Introduces data-lake batching updates to increase alert fidelity. Version 2026.2 · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Improves event processing performance for endpoints with heavy container activity. Version 2026.2 · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Helm chart 1.0.4 adds configuration of alert and event outputs, allowing operators to control where detections are routed. Version 5.15.1New · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds SNI (Server Name Indication) details to connection events in the data lake. Version 5.18.2 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds dns_query_events event type to the Taegis data lake hydration pipeline, enabled via Helm charts configuration. Version 5.18.2 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds support for XDR Data Lake capabilities in Sophos Central 1.1.5 · Apr 2021 · source · release history
Linux Endpoint Diagnostics and Management shipped Offers an endpoint self-help tool for health checks and diagnostics, and supports account activity tracking within the data lake. 5 releases · first seen Nov 2021

Also counts toward: Command-line interface

release

  • Expands account_activity_linux data lake events to include account creation, deletion, and modifications to group membership.⁠︀︄︇︀︅︉︀︅︀︀︃︀︀︅︅︀︅︊︀︄︆︀︃︄⁠ Version 2026.2 · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds an Endpoint Self Help command-line tool for administrators to view product health and collect diagnostic information from a Linux server.⁠︀︄︇︀︅︉︀︅︀︀︃︀︀︅︅︀︅︊︀︄︆︀︃︄⁠ Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds a new command-line utility for administrators to view product health and collect diagnostic information from a Linux server. 2026.3 · Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • New account_activity_linux event type detecting account creation, deletion, and group membership modifications 2026.2 · May 2026 · source · release history
  • Updates Sophos Linux Live Response to version 1.5.0. 1.1.8 · Nov 2021 · source · release history
Linux Container Awareness shipped Includes container information in detection events and optimizes event processing for endpoints with heavy container activity. 4 releases · first seen Sep 2026

release

  • XDR process events include container information and metadata where available. Version 5.21.0New · seen Oct 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds container information to supported detection events in the Sophos Data Lake. Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Improves event processing performance for endpoints with heavy container activity. Version 2026.2 · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Attaches container identification metadata to supported detection events in the data lake for improved attribution. 2026.3 · Sep 2026 · source · release history
Linux ARM64 Support shipped Enables installation and operation of the SPL Agent on ARM64-based Linux servers. 3 releases · first seen Jul 2022

Also counts toward: Agent-based deployment

release

  • Supports installing the SPL Agent on ARM64-based Linux servers, enabling Linux Runtime Detections on ARM64 hardware. Version 2023.4 · seen Aug 2026 · source · release history
  • Adds ARM64 platform support for installing the SPL Agent on ARM64-based Linux servers 2023.4 · Nov 2023 · source · release history
  • Adds ARM64 architecture support to Sophos Linux Sensor. 5.0.2 · Jul 2022 · source · release history
Helm Chart Configuration shipped Enables deployment configuration by passing authentication tokens through Kubernetes Secrets in Helm charts. 3 releases

Also counts toward: Kubernetes-native deployment

release

  • Exclude selected paths from file events by configuring a new Helm option. Version 5.22.0New · seen Oct 2026 · source · release history
  • Exclude selected processes from process, connection, and DNS events by configuring a new Helm option.⁠︀︄︇︀︅︉︀︅︀︀︃︀︀︅︅︀︅︊︀︄︆︀︃︄⁠ Version 5.22.0New · seen Oct 2026 · source · release history
  • Helm charts now support passing the MCS token using a Kubernetes Secret.⁠︀︄︇︀︅︉︀︅︀︀︃︀︀︅︅︀︅︊︀︄︆︀︃︄⁠ Version 5.21.0New · seen Oct 2026 · source · release history
Linux Network Telemetry shipped Ingests DNS activity and Server Name Indication (SNI) hostname events into the data lake for network visibility. 2 releases · first seen Sep 2026

release

  • Adds DNS activity and Server Name Indication (SNI) hostname events to the Sophos Data Lake for expanded network visibility. Version 2026.3New · seen Sep 2026 · source · release history
  • Pushes DNS activity and Server Name Indication (SNI) hostname events into the Sophos Data Lake for expanded network visibility. 2026.3 · Sep 2026 · source · release history
Linux Sensor Start-up Configuration shipped Allows configuration of optional metadata gathering timeouts to handle slow sensor start-up times. 2 releases · first seen Nov 2024

release

  • Adds the ability to configure event journal disk size for Linux devices directly in Sophos Central 2025.1 · Mar 2025 · source · release history
  • Adds configurable optional_metadata_gathering_timeout value to help when encountering slow start-up times for the sensor 5.9.3 · Nov 2024 · source · release history
Linux Container Namespace Scanning shipped suggested Scans non-root namespaces in containerized environments to improve detection coverage. 1 release · first seen Mar 2026

Suggested capability: Process telemetry. This is our guess, not confirmed.

release

  • SPL Agent now scans non-root namespaces (enabled by default) to improve coverage in containerized environments 2026.1 · Mar 2026 · source · release history
Linux Device Name Customization shipped Allows administrators to specify a custom device name for a host during installation via the thin installer. 1 release · first seen Nov 2024

release

  • Adds ability to override the device name for a host during installation via the thin installer 2024.3 · Nov 2024 · source · release history
Linux User Event Investigation shipped suggested Provides an Audit_user_msg investigation table to view user activity on the host and events within containers. 1 release · first seen Nov 2024

Suggested capability: Process telemetry. This is our guess, not confirmed.

release

  • Adds Audit_user_msg investigation table to include user event activity on the host and events running in a container 5.9.3 · Nov 2024 · source · release history

Lines in monospace are the tool's own words: help text parsed from its source, or an endpoint from its API document. Under release, a line is our summary of a dated release. Under docs, it is quoted from the tool's own documentation or website. Each links back to the source it came from.

Score card

  1. Shipping velocity releases a month, last 12 months
  2. Documentation quality release-notes rubric, 0–100
  3. Breaking-change discipline how rarely a release breaks users, and notice given
  4. Maintenance risk quiet time against its own cadence, maintainers
  5. Innovation & surface new capabilities, API and MCP surface

Five scores for Sophos Protection for Linux, each built from the releases, notes and API history this site tracks — and, on Researcher and Business, where it stands among every measured tool in its category and how that has moved.

Score cards are part of every paid plan.

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Each score is 0–100 on a published rubric, derived from data this site already shows. A dimension we cannot measure says so — it is never scored 0 and never enters a rank.

How this is scored
  • Shipping velocity — releases a month over the last 12 months, on a log scale where 16 a month scores 100. Needs 3 releases in the window.
  • Documentation quality — the release-notes rubric published on the analytics page, unchanged.
  • Breaking-change discipline — the share of releases carrying a breaking change (none scores 100, half or more scores 0). Only projects that label breaking changes are measured: a clean record cannot be told from an unlabelled one.
  • Maintenance risk — quiet time measured against the tool's own release cadence (quiet longer than 90 days and three typical gaps scores 0), plus the number of active maintainers and whether contributors are growing, where known. Higher is lower risk.
  • Innovation & surface — new capabilities in the feature ledger this year, API and MCP operations added, and the share of commits that are features: the mean of whichever we hold.
  • Community health (open-source tools only) — each is a direction, not a size: contributors this year against last, the bus factor now against a year ago, and issues closed per issue opened, where steady scores 50, doubled 100 and halved 0; plus the median time to a maintainer's first reply (an hour scores about 100, a month or more 0). A commercial card has no repository and carries none of the four.
  • Documented delivery (commercial tools) — when a vendor's documented new capabilities have slowed against its own baseline, that counts against the overall standing as heavily as two low dimensions. Steady delivery, or too little history to judge, leaves the standing alone; it is never a sixth score.
  • Open-source tools are scored on repository signals; commercial tools on their published changelog. Ranks compare tools within one category and one profile and need at least five measured peers; the overall standing needs three ranked dimensions. Best-in-breed or consolidator is a shape, not a quality, and is never scored.

Release-note detail over time

See how much detail Sophos Protection for Linux puts in its release notes, quarter by quarter, and compare it with tracked tools in the same category. This history uses up to ten retained, reviewed notes per tool; sparse or blank older quarters may reflect that limit.

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Website history

sophos.com, every change

Sophos's home page and 1 more page as they looked each month from September 2021 to October 2026: 12 renders, 3 changes of tagline or palette. Step through them, play them, or put any two months side by side.

Website history is included with Researcher and Business.

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Coverage

Missing something? Tell us

What Sophos Protection for Linux connects to, runs on and detects, read from its release notes and docs. So far: 2 new supported platforms.

Show

2 changes, tracked since Oct 15, 2026.

  • Seen Oct 312026

    new Kernel 7.3 support

    Added support for kernel 7.3.

    Version 5.22.0New Source ↗

  • Seen Oct 152026

    new Kernel 7.2 support

    Added support for kernel 7.2.

    Version 5.21.0New Source ↗

How we count

Read from 2 of 31 release notes and docs updates we hold for Sophos Protection for Linux. "First seen" is the earliest note that names something; "last" is the latest. Our history may start partway through Sophos Protection for Linux's life, so an old integration can show a recent first-seen date.

Each change counts once: "added 40 checks" is one line, so the numbers measure how often coverage moves, not how big the catalogue is or how well it detects.

Releases

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Coverage in all entries

31 entries

  1. October 20262
  2. September 20263
  3. August 20266
  4. May 20261
  5. March 20261
  6. October 20251
  7. March 20251
  8. November 20242
  9. June 20241
  10. February 20241
  11. January 20241
  12. November 20231
  13. August 20231
  14. June 20231
  15. January 20231
  16. July 20221
  17. June 20222
  18. November 20211
  19. July 20211
  20. June 20211
  21. April 20211
    Show
    Coverage in all entries

    31 entries

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