Ubuntu firewall and antivirus

fester · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:04

Hi I've trying out Linux for the first time using Ubuntu
do I need to install a software firewall and antivirus. If so what would u recommend.

Una · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:08

Not really needed for both to be honest.

There's firestarter for firewall (I think never used it) which is just a frontend to iptables/ipchains.

Clamav is a antivirus, but its mainly used as a mail scanner to stop windows machines getting viruses

fester · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:13

Many thank's for the quick reply.

AJUK · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:18

Firewall is built in or install Firestarter to administer it.

No need for antivirus.

Una · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:22

AJUK said:
Firewall is built in or install Firestarter to administer it.

No its not always - depends if netfilter/iptables support in the kernel is enabled.

#CONFIG_NETFILTER
#CONFIG_IP_NF_IPTABLES

etc...

AJUK · 3 Jan 2007 at 11:25

Una said:
No its not always - depends if netfilter/iptables support in the kernel is enabled.

#CONFIG_NETFILTER
#CONFIG_IP_NF_IPTABLES

etc...

Far too confusing for a noob. The standard Ubuntu ditro includes a firewall and that is all that anyone needs to know.

Wimnat · 3 Jan 2007 at 23:42

Learning how to configure IP tables properly is much more fun.

LizardKing · 4 Jan 2007 at 07:25

AJUK said:
Far too confusing for a noob. The standard Ubuntu ditro includes a firewall and that is all that anyone needs to know.

As far as i know, ubuntu comes with nothing more than iptables.

http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/06/26/1556259

fumbles · 4 Jan 2007 at 11:13

$ man iptables

ubern00b23 · 4 Jan 2007 at 14:15

It's not free but I have seen this:

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/DesktopSecure.htm

Anyone tried this yet? Or using it. Nice to get real-time alerts whenever things happen.

fumbles · 4 Jan 2007 at 16:01

* Anti-malware protection, against both Windows and Linux threats, including dialers and spyware.

If only there was malware that actually could get my dial-up modem working in linux... oh well..

If you know what you are doing extra software is not required.

GraemeUK · 4 Jan 2007 at 18:42

Firestarter is ok but really doesnt show/do more because its is just a GUI for iptables. Like the guys say, no real threats for Linux, just use a strong password and don't enable remote login (unless you need to ofc).

The default install of Ubuntu for example is 100000000 times more secure than Window$.

Bugs/security issues are normally patched very quickly anyway. Just be sensible and im sure you will be fine.