K, I've installed Kubuntu a couple days ago and prior to this, I haven't had much experience with linux. So, I would like to know how do I configure it to be more secure? What are some interesting things people do with linux and why you linux fanboys are so adamant in its superiority over windows?

PS. Also how do I log any intrusion attempts on this box?

[Edited on February 6, 2006 at 8:17 PM. Reason : .]

2/6/2006 8:15:03 PM

1. install the firewall.
2. ...
3. profit

if you installed the graphical package manager that came with kubuntu:

System -> Administration -> Add Applications

Enter root password (if you're logged in as root... make yourself a regular user account)

System Tools -> More Programs -> Firestarter (in the tree on the left)



If apt-get or yum is installed and configured you can:

sudo apt-get install firestarter

or

sudo yum install firestarter

as appropriate

2/6/2006 9:14:02 PM

also, Ubuntu has forums. use them.

2/6/2006 9:14:54 PM

Kubuntu/Ubuntu are the most awesome Linux distros.

If you can't find your way around, Linux isn't for you.

http://www.ubuntuforums.org

2/6/2006 9:26:01 PM

I've installed the firewall "firestarter" but I'm not sure if it's enough. I'm really new to this environment and i'm a bit lost. I know about the forums over at ubuntu but I feel more comfortable asking you knowledgeable folks. Its a bit overwhelming with so many different types of packages and such that it'll take time. So i'd like to jumpstart my linux experience by asking you fine folks!

2/6/2006 9:31:51 PM

It's a great book. Plz go buy a copy.

2/6/2006 9:33:07 PM

if you're behind a router with a hardware firewall, that should be pretty much enough for running apache, ftp, ssh, etc.

if you're on campus and have a desktop and laptop and cable access, set up a mythtv backend on your desktop and install the front end on a laptop

anytime you have a class in a classroom with 802.11g access you can watch TV in class. or record TV at low bitrate for 802.11b access.

[Edited on February 6, 2006 at 9:41 PM. Reason : ]

2/6/2006 9:40:03 PM

2/6/2006 9:45:04 PM

Quote :

"if you're on campus and have a desktop and laptop and cable access, set up a mythtv backend on your desktop and install the front end on a laptop"

MythTV is extremely awesome but it may be too complicated for a n00b to install. It has gotten easier but there is still a lot of in-depth stuff to deal with in many cases. (Between the correct kernel modules, encoder card setup, ivtv, decoder stuff, etc ...)

2/7/2006 9:06:02 AM

Quote :

"fanboys"

and girls

2/7/2006 11:51:49 AM

^^there's an assload of MythTV walkthroughs online that are fairly easy to follow.

2/7/2006 1:44:05 PM

True; however I was building mine for a mini-ITX/EPIA system and needed to custom compile my kernel and roll in new modules.

If you aren't using any special hardware (using only hardware that the kernel has built in modules for) then you're fine.

2/7/2006 1:51:06 PM

You think is a joke or something? I read through and kept changing my mind whether or not he was serious.

http://www.divisiontwo.com/articles/mcse2.htm

3/11/2006 1:14:41 PM

you want security, run SE linux, and forget firestarter use iptables. also secure/update all the daemons and net services you run and create secure passwords.

3/11/2006 1:26:01 PM

Quote :

"you want security, run SE linux, and forget firestarter use iptables. also secure/update all the daemons and net services you run and create secure passwords."

I am not sure if he can handle anything on that list.

3/12/2006 9:53:09 AM

its the perfect time to learn then. I found I learned the best when I just dove in and fumbled through the man pages and some of the documentation on gentoo's and freebsd's webpages.

3/12/2006 10:12:30 AM

Quote :

"marilynlov7: You think is a joke or something? I read through and kept changing my mind whether or not he was serious."

haha me too, at least for the first part (given the general nature of Windows lovers)

I realized it was a joke after that

[Edited on March 12, 2006 at 1:21 PM. Reason : ---]

3/12/2006 1:20:59 PM