invasion protection ??

[cougar]

Hi all,
I was wondering if Virus protection is necessary in Linux ... and if so, who's got the best stuff?
Also curious if I need protection against unwanted intruders (hackers). This is a non-networked workstation using RH 7 and a dial-up connect to my ISP.

thanks
steve

[0be1]

First of all from what I have read there are virus' in all the *nix environments, but none even close to the winblows environments. I have seen on my McAfee Anti virus CD a version for Linux. I have not insalled it as of yet for I download software only from very trusted sources. I would be possibly more concerned about my system security, services, etc. first if it is only a ISP dial up machine.

Also there seems to be a lot about streams these days, you may want to check into that.

Hope this helps...

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Linux, is there really any other OS worth using?

[Dirk]

Read the Scurity NHF's on this site. They helped me set up my firewall.

[dhaze]

Here's a good easy to use firewall
http://firestarter.sourceforge.net/

[witman]

Originally posted by cougar:
...Also curious if I need protection against unwanted intruders (hackers). This is a non-networked workstation using RH 7 and a dial-up connect to my ISP.

thanks
steve

You mean 'CRACKERS'. Hackers are decent folk like us who like to hack on their boxes into the wee hours of the morning.

Your chances of having your box compromised are minimal if you are running a dial up connection. You'll only get 'hit' about once every month or so. Most 'crackers' only scan permanent connections like cable in the 24.X.X.X range.

It's still good practice to keep yourself safe.

Virus Protection: I think there are all of like 3 known *nix viri and all of them exist in captivity.

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Use the source!
The WITMAN Cometh!

[This message has been edited by witman (edited 01 January 2001).]

[MkIII_Supra]

There are 5 documented / known Linux virus's in the wild. But because of the divesity of the Linux enviornments and the caution that 97% of all Linux users utlize the chances of you contracting a system virus is pretty low. Somewhere along the lines of .0323% chance.

Now having your system compromised by a cracker, that is a much more likely probability. Here are some links to check out,

Build a firewall here... (http://www.linux-firewall-tools.com/linux/firewall/index.html)

Pre-made firewall but effective... (http://firestarter.sourceforge.net/)

Reading material... (http://stjohnchico.org/~jtmurphy/)

Security tools and literature... (http://trinux.sourceforge.net/)

A web site HOW TO... (http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Security-HOWTO.html)

Here is another small firewall set-up... (http://www.coyotelinux.com/coyote.html)

A site that covers Linux Security issues... (http://www.netsecurity.about.com/compute/netsecurity/cs/linuxsecurity/)

A whole plethora of firewall related information... (http://www.netsecurity.about.com/compute/netsecurity/cs/linuxfirewalls/)

More on firewalls.... (http://www.aplawrence.com/Books/linfw.html)

And even more on firewalls.... (http://www.linuxcare.com.au/sfr/linfire/contents.html)

And more.... (http://www.luv.asn.au/overheads/firewalls/firewall.html)

Nice puppy... (http://www.simonzone.com/software/guarddog/)

That should be a good start.... It's amazing what you can find with google and Linux firewalls or Linux security!

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The Dragon is swift and powerful. Beware his wrath...
Honor your family and yourself. Speak not out of passion but out of wisdom and temper the fires of war that reside in you, and you shall then reach your full measure as a man of Honor, Courage and Integrity.
http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/MkIIISupra/ (http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/MkIIISupra)

[mdwatts]

It's amazing how few know about the search capabilities of the web.

[theoenophile]

Don't forget the excellent NHF/How to on Portsentry right her at LNO !! Easy Install and very effective !!
http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/security/portsentry1.html



[This message has been edited by theoenophile (edited 01 January 2001).]

[btberch]

Firestarter was extremely easy to set up. Only have a modem connection, but the number of hits have been alot more than i expected.