ubuntu post installation hardening

[sam tygier]

looner _ wrote:
> Hi All!
> Just quick question if anybody can advise me how to make my Ubuntu as secure as possible.
> Thanks,looner

when installing use the encrypt home folder option. (otherwise it is trivial for someone who steals your computer, or can sit infront of it, to read all your files)
strong passwords.
use a separate account for admin and normal use (to reduce the chance of a keylogger sniffing your sudo password).
dont install any server software (unless you need it and know how to secure it).
dont install things from untrusted sources.
be wary of any files you download.
install the firefox extension noscript (it blocks all javascript by default, and lets you whitelist sites when you need the javascript (most firefox security problems wont work without javascript))
dont install things like flash and java (if you need them make sure you have something like flashblock or noscript to control them)
if you let someone else use your computer, then let them use a guest session
read the security pages at http://lwn.net/
sam