Firewall with Ubuntu

[Rashkae]

Joseph wrote:

>>   
> 
> 
> I wasn't aware of that.  So with all due respect, what is the difference between 
> the one that's already programs into Ubuntu and the front end firewall program?
> 
> I'm just curious why anything else would be offered by Ubuntu is what they have 
> is absolutely enough.
> 
> Joseph
> 

Hi Joseph

The previous poster, was, unfortunately, giving very misleading advice.
 Ubuntu install with no firewall whatsoever.

That's not quite as bad as it sounds, because Ubuntu also installs with
absolutely no services or software configured to accept connections from
the network, so at least from a fresh install perspective, there is no
difference.  It is, however, easy to install packages/services that will
open your computer to the network, and it is therefore a good idea early
in your Linux edumacation to familiarize yourself with a firewall.

All Linux firewalls, to my knowledge, ultimately, are front ends for
iptables.  iptables are built into the linux kernel itself (and are
modified by a command line program called iptables.).  If you really
want to get into the guts of beast, that's where you would look.

If, however, you are more interested in getting a perfectly suitable
firewall for most common home and small office up with no fuss, I would
suggest installing firestarter.  This gives you a simple to use GUI to
configure the firewall.