default iptables rules

[Nils Kassube]

Jimmy Wu wrote:
> I am relatively new to both Ubuntu and Linux, and I'm trying to figure
> out how to secure my computer with a firewall.
> My previous attempt with Firestarter was rather miserable, since it
> screwed up my home network.
> I've reinstalled my system, and this time I want to just use iptables,
> without firestarter.
>
> Situation:
> I am a pretty average user, and need little more than http, https, and
> possibly ftp.  I probably won't need to have ssh open or anything else
> like that.

With a default Ubuntu installation there are no open ports, unless you 
have installed extra servers. For a simple installation like your's the 
firewall (which is nothing more than a frontend for iptables rules) 
should block incoming traffic from the internet to open ports on the 
machine. But as there are no open ports, there is no need to add a 
firewall or use any iptables rules.


Nils