[sembazuru]

OK, next question. I don't think Progency Debian 2 runs a firewall. Is it easy enought to download one via apt? Do I need one with a dial-up connection?
Thanks

[sarumont]

In GNU/Linux, you don't download a firewall. You will, however, need to install iptables to interface with the firewall provided by the kernel. The iptables modules should be in a default kernel, however you may have to recompile your kernel to get iptables operating. Check out http://www.netfilter.org for more info.

[sembazuru]

Thanks for posting a reply. But I have to say...recompile? This is the problem for non-technical persons like me. I have no idea what you're talking about and probably never will. I went to the link in your reply and read, for example:

"netfilter is a set of hooks inside the Linux kernel that allows kernel modules to register callback functions with the network stack. A registered callback function is then called back for every packet that traverses the respective hook within the network stack."

With the exception of the prepositions in that paragraph, I doubt I understood three words.

Linux die-hards may decry the dumbing down of Linux for the masses, but until it is as undestandable and easy to use as Mac and Windows, it won't have much of a future on the desktop. So why not just tell me to stick to Windows or Mac? Because, from what I understand, Linux IS more stable and secure than Windows, and it's cheaper than buying a Mac.

Do I need to make an effort to come half way and educate myself? Yes, of course, and I am trying. I have half a dozen Linux books on my desk right now, but it's slow going when you're self-taught.

Sorry for venting. I get frustrated.

[sarumont]

Netfilter.org is down atm...imagine that...

Anyway...don't get frustrated. Get educated. Compiling is the act of taking code written in C, C++, ruby, fortran, cobol, etc. and making it into machine code that can be interpreted by the CPU (in short). Recompiling your kernel involves configuring your kernel and then compiling it again with those new/changed options.

Here's another good iptables howto:

http://www.linuxguruz.com/iptables/h...les-HOWTO.html

Any more questions that you have, just google. If need be, ask and we'll clarify.

[bpark]

Yea, these terminologies can be a bit much. I'm still having trouble understanding them after 3 years of using Linux.

Bottom line, iptables is the best tool to use as a firewall tool. It's built right into the kernel and I haven't seen anything that it can't do compared to some of the good firewalls out there like PIX and Checkpoint.

If possible, please run the command "grep -i iptables /boot/<config-x.x.x>" and post the results using the code tags. Remember to replace that bracket with the config version of your kernel.

[sembazuru]

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. Maybe someday I'll get there. Right now I feel like a tricycle in a world of Harleys.

[sarumont]

Originally Posted by sembazuru

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. Maybe someday I'll get there. Right now I feel like a tricycle in a world of Harleys.

Well...it won't be long before you look back at this post and think that you were such a noob.

I do that all the time...things that I remember doing in the past seem like stupid mistakes to me now. I wonder how the hell I was such an idiot...and I know that a year or two from now, things that I do now will be the same way. Such is the wonderful world of Linux. No matter how much you know, there's always more out there you don't, and there are always things that you will inevitably screw up on.

The joys of learning.

[penguinwarrior]

not sure but you may be looking for something like gnome-lokkit
apt-get install gnome-lokkit
which will walk you through a SIMPLE firewall setup.