Ubuntu 7.1 & Net Protection?

[giradman]

I have an old IBM laptop w/ a 'dead' HD which I'm planning to replace & try an Ubuntu installation - an external CD drive is recognized, so I'm hoping this will work w/ a new HD (just orderd for $50) - just an interest to re-use a laptop that would be re-cycled & an OS that I've not had any experience for a while (used UNIX years ago)!

My initial question is (if I can get this combo to work & connect to my home 'wireless' router), what 'security' issues are involved w/ a UNIX-based OS; of course w/ Windows, there is a firewall, anti-viral software, and other malware considerations - I know these are much less important in non-Windows systems.

But, if I can get this 'old' laptop on the web running under Ubuntu, what security software is needed? How much is already in the OS? If not, what are some of the best 'free' options to add - thanks!

[jmtjet]

With Ubuntu a firewall is included with the installed software. The name of the firewall is "Firestarter" it might be installed as a default during installation. But, if not you can find it in your Synaptic package manager. As far as malware: at this time I do not think there is any scum out there writing malware for Linux systems. This might change as Linux becomes more popular. As to antivirus software; there are several available. Check the link below for some. I use ClamAV. It's very small and runs in the background. The only reason I use an AV program is so I don't pass a MS virus on to one of my buddies in an email. Otherwise, I won't bother.

The only problem I see with your plan is connecting wirelessly. That can be a hassle with Linux, but not insurmountable. Good luck and have fun.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Antiv...ient=firefox-a

[giradman]

Originally Posted by jmtjet

The only problem I see with your plan is connecting wirelessly. That can be a hassle with Linux, but not insurmountable. Good luck and have fun.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Antiv...ient=firefox-a

Jmtjet - thanks for your comments; think I read about the firewall, but will definitely add AV protection for the same reason; I'm also not sure about the 'wireless' drivers for my IBM using Ubuntu, but will hopefully find a solution (i.e. if all else installs correctly on my 'new' HD); my son, an IT guy just put Ubuntu on an even older Dell laptop & is using it at home on his wireless network, so possible - thanks, again!

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by giradman

Jmtjet - thanks for your comments; think I read about the firewall, but will definitely add AV protection for the same reason; I'm also not sure about the 'wireless' drivers for my IBM using Ubuntu, but will hopefully find a solution (i.e. if all else installs correctly on my 'new' HD); my son, an IT guy just put Ubuntu on an even older Dell laptop & is using it at home on his wireless network, so possible - thanks, again!

If you using any major webmail servers, they will check your send emails for you.

as far as wireless, I am one for one with Ubuntu. My older one did not work and the newer laptop did. Its really one of those cases where you should try the live cd first and see if you can setup your wireless. This way it will save an install.

So far the only linux distro that pickup both of my wireless is xandros.

[giradman]

Thanks, guys, for your comments - the 'new' HD arrived yesterday ($50 replacement) - installed Ubuntu today (using the 'text' based ISO image which ran fine off an attached CD drive) - my 'wireless' IBM network device was recognized and connected immediately to my Linksys 'wireless' router (had MAC filtering running but the IBM MAC# was already registered); so, I now am able to connect to the Web w/ this Ubuntu-based computer - I'd like to take it on the road (hotels w/ 'unprotected' connections) - sounds like checking into the firewall & possibly an AV options would be all that is needed?

[jmtjet]

Happy to hear you've got things sorted.

[giradman]

Originally Posted by jmtjet

Happy to hear you've got things sorted.

Jmtjet - YES, I was shocked that all seem to go well!

At present, I have no extra firewall or AV software installed on the Ubuntu computer - I´m behind my Linksys router (so have that firewall protection) - went to Steve Gibson´s website (www.grc.com) and checked w/ ShieldsUp - completely stealthed - now if I go on the road to an uprotected hotel ´wireless´ interent connection, will I still need a software-based ´firewall´ on this computer? Just trying to ´cover the bases´ before travelling - again, all comments recommeded - thanks!

[giradman]

Just to respond to my own post and for those also ´struggling´ w/ these decisions (and others who hopefully have solved them and have an experienced opinion) concerning the ´additionall´ need for AV & firewall protection in Ubuntu 7.1 (the version that I installed recently).

I´ve been reading (since yesterday) Keir Thomas´s Beginning Ubuntu Linux, 2nd ed - 2007 - so far, excellent book; quite good chapter on ´Securing Your Computer´ - I installed the so-called firewall called Firestarter, seems like this program is simply a GUI interface to the built-in FW of Ubuntu, i.e. allows changes to the ´inbound & outbound´ traffic, but does not need to run in the background - I decided to simply leave the defaults intact, but nice to know that this option exists.

Also installed ClamAV - good discussion & instructions - there are apparently only 50 or fewer Linux viruses (and not sure ´how many´ are even out there in the wild now?) - suggestion is to basically scan your document files - virtually all of the detections will be ´false positives´, i.e. Windows viruses that will not affect Linux, so not sure ´how useful´ or ´how often´ this program needs to be runned.

Bottom line for me is that it is nice to know these programs exist but seemed to not be needed in most cases of Ubuntu - but would certainly appreciate comments from others more knowledgeable about this OS - just my first week playing w/ it - thanks, as usual!

[jmtjet]

I rarely run ClamAV, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.