Best free firewall and antivirus for Linux?

bat999

Lady_K wrote: »

thomas01155 wrote: »

Will she be ok then just leaving it as it is? Shes just 15 and really wouldnt be bothered to keep up with any settings etc all she is interested in is getting on msn and probably do some homework.

Where are the settings for the inbuilt firewall?

Yes, I recommend that you leave the iptables firewall settings alone.
To change them you need to be able to use 'command line instructions'. That means you have to type in instructions similar to DOS commands. It's complicated.
If you really have to, you can install that 'Firestarter' program. It's a graphical front-end for iptables firewall. But I wouldn't know what to do with it myself even.

This is an example of that iptables, don't go there!


ron@ron-desktop:~$ iptables -h
iptables v1.3.6

Usage: iptables -[AD] chain rule-specification [options]
iptables -[RI] chain rulenum rule-specification [options]
iptables -D chain rulenum [options]
iptables -[LFZ] [chain] [options]
iptables -[NX] chain
iptables -E old-chain-name new-chain-name
iptables -P chain target [options]
iptables -h (print this help information)

Commands:
Either long or short options are allowed.
--append -A chain Append to chain
--delete -D chain Delete matching rule from chain
--delete -D chain rulenum
Delete rule rulenum (1 = first) from chain
--insert -I chain [rulenum]
Insert in chain as rulenum (default 1=first)
--replace -R chain rulenum
Replace rule rulenum (1 = first) in chain
--list -L [chain] List the rules in a chain or all chains
--flush -F [chain] Delete all rules in chain or all chains
--zero -Z [chain] Zero counters in chain or all chains
--new -N chain Create a new user-defined chain
--delete-chain
-X [chain] Delete a user-defined chain
--policy -P chain target
Change policy on chain to target
--rename-chain
-E old-chain new-chain
Change chain name, (moving any references)
Options:
--proto -p [!] proto protocol: by number or name, eg. `tcp'
--source -s [!] address[/mask]
source specification
--destination -d [!] address[/mask]
destination specification
--in-interface -i [!] input name[+]
network interface name ([+] for wildcard)
--jump -j target
target for rule (may load target extension)
--goto -g chain
jump to chain with no return
--match -m match
extended match (may load extension)
--numeric -n numeric output of addresses and ports
--out-interface -o [!] output name[+]
network interface name ([+] for wildcard)
--table -t table table to manipulate (default: `filter')
--verbose -v verbose mode
--line-numbers print line numbers when listing
--exact -x expand numbers (display exact values)
[!] --fragment -f match second or further fragments only
--modprobe=<command> try to insert modules using this command
--set-counters PKTS BYTES set the counter during insert/append
[!] --version -V print package version.
ron@ron-desktop:~$

Lady_K

Oh cripes that looks too much for me and definitely too much for her, will it be ok if its just left as it is will the inbuilt firewall still be working? theres no sign of it anywhere though

By the way is ubunto anything to do with linux?

fermi

If it is running ubuntu, then:

https://help.ubuntu.com/8.10/keeping-safe/C/firewall.html

But to be honest, unless they find that the current settings are preventing them doing anything they need to, then it is probably best to leave alone.

BillScarab

Ubuntu is one of the distributions of Linux. Various companies release their own versions (or distributions) of Linux. Ubuntu is one of the most popular.

bat999

@Lady-K
I've always assumed that the firewall is running by default. I don't know how to prove it though. Maybe by using one of those websites such as 'shields up' they will probe your ports.
Shields up:-https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

There are hundreds of different versions of Linux. They're known as 'distributions' (distros).
Ubuntu is the Linux distro that I'm using.
Is it Ubuntu that's installed on that Acer notebook?

tweeter

I'm using Ubuntu and everything is run by default. GRC's Shields Up doesn't work for me,I think it's just for Windows users.

robredz

As has been previously stated you should be ok in Ubuntu without worrying about antivirus. For further info check here

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/does-ubuntu-need-antivirus/

but you can install it if you feel you need to
see here

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Antivirus

jasonwatkins

ubuntu is currently the most popular linux version around.

i would really steer clear of anti virus or firewalls on linux though, no matter what.

don't even install one "just in case" because there won't ever be an "in case" situation - well there could be, but the chances are very, very remote. There's more chance of Kirsty Gallacher turning up on my doorstep for some how's your father

if your daughter insists, tell her the inbuilt one is quite powerful and automatically updates - and must be left alone

esuhl

It was mentioned above that you can get antivirus programs for Linux - I think this is mainly if you use a Linux PC as a server. Viruses may not (generally) affect the Linux box, but a Linux server could pass viruses on to the Windows PCs.

A Linux laptop wouldn't (in my opinion, and in agreement with the consensus above) need an antivirus, though.

superscaper

Linux can be hacked and have viruses just like Windows. As esuhl said this is mostly concerning Linux servers but it is demonstrative that simply having "Linux" in no way makes it secure necessarily. In fact as far as server hacks go, far more Linux servers are hacked than Windows servers.