Re: firewall, newby

From: NeoSadist (neosad1st_at_charter.net)
Date: 01/27/04 

Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 22:13:00 -0700

Joseph Jolic wrote:

> Hi
> I recently installed mandrake and have realized (after some intrusion
> attacks on my windows partition (running dual boot)) that a firewall is
> absolutely necessary..with mandrake, upon installation the user is asked
> to select the security level desired..i chose the recommended setting..on
> top of this I have also configured a firewall (using the drake firewall
> setup utility)..will this be enough?

What's enough, in your opinion?
You left all boxes unchecked in the firewall config, right? I.e. don't let
anyone have any access to your box?

> or should I remove this firewall and
> download and install another firewall such as lokkit or firestarter?

You should use the mandrake firewall. Trust me, it's good.

> ..I
> don't want to have a separate linux firewall machine, not now anyhow, so
> am looking for simple to install firewall software..

Use the one mandrake comes with.

>
>
> also, what about other security aspects for linux that I have on my
> windows platform..on windows I'm using norton and it provides a firewall,
> and intrustion detection as well as visual tracking...will having just a
> firewall for linux suffice?

Usually, but if you want to install an intrusion detection system, get
SNORT.

> and if its worthwhile, what software could I
> use for intrusion detection for linux?..

SNORT.

> currently I'm thinking of
> installing lokkit or firestarter firewall and am wondering whether that
> will be enough
> to get by..

What you currently have should be enough. Just watch the logs, don't log in
as root (unless it's to a console as "su root"), etc. Most malicious
software vulnerabilities (i.e. adware/spyware) are not possible with linux
due to restrictions: to install software you must be root.

>
> thanks
> J 

-- 
The makers may make
and the users may use,
but the fixers must fix
with but minimal clues

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