Hardening new ubuntu installation

[Sean Carolan]

> I wonder if anybody can advise me about post installation procedure, what
> should be done to use ubuntu on desktop in everyday life
> with specially emphasis on security. Advise, howto's or even links please.
> Many thanks!

Simply by installing Ubuntu you have already done the best security
hardening.  Almost all the exploits, worms, viruses, etc. are targeted
towards Windows users.  I have yet to read about an Ubuntu virus or
worm spotted in the wild.  As one of the other posters mentioned,
Ubuntu runs no listening servers by default so the system is quite
secure out of the box.

If you're just looking for general practice on how to lock down a
Linux machine, read up on iptables.  Choose a strong password.  Don't
leave your workstation logged in when you are out of the room.  If
it's a laptop chain it to the desk with a security cable.  Resist the
temptation to set a root password, you can generally do everything you
need to do with sudo.  If you must have a root shell for some task,
just run "sudo /bin/su - root".