Networking :: dsl security requirements

I have become rather use to my dsl desktop and seem to use it now more often for surfing and checking the mail. I often forget I am useing linux as I also used opera on windows.
I am curious about security and if I need to add anything to feel comfortable.
I noticed that there is an ip tables and rc firewall for ip tables in the repository..do I need to add these for dial up security? it only said iptables for dsl security in the info and the rc firewall seems to be an addition to it, perhaps a gui? I have never used a firewall or configured one. this is a stand alone hd install.
I guess the question is what will a fire wall do for me and do I need both ip tables and rcfirewall to add this to dsl..

what would I fear? well someone reading my mail or monitoring my surfing without my knowing or stealing my ip address and useing it I guess..not that it really matters but would be nice to know about..

any comforting tidbits would be appreciated..thanks

The odds are in your favor for not falling into trouble on the net. However, that is not to say that you are immune. I have used DSL many times, unprotected, straight to the net. The best case scenario I can think of is to lay your paws on some old hardware: 200Mhz CPU, 64 to 128 MB RAM, 1 to 2 Gb HDD, 2 or 3 NIC cards. In my area, that'll run you from $0 to maybe $50 at the highest. Then go to http://www.SmoothWall.org and grab SmoothWall Express 2.0, it's free and comes as a bootable .iso. It installs easy. I have used a SmoothWall for a couple or three years now and have not had any issues that I am aware of. I use DSL without any kind of iptables, rcfirewall, condom, etc. and all seems well. The SmoothWall will protect you. When I used to have winblows in my house, I didn't have any issues with virus/hacking while at home, but I did sitting behind a Cisco PIX at work. Go figure.

You may find this thread interesing on open ports

Thanks green..smooth looks well...smooth...I may play with that at a later date just to learn something so kept the link..do not have a machine to play with that at the moment..but a good choice for me being what some may call a lame noob..haha

Thanks roberts for the interesting post, I did not see it..I honestly do not buy into fearwear so use old machines as protection since they cost nothing to replace, regarding virus etc..but have wondered how stupid I really am...and every one talks about firewalls and anti this and that..so I am curious truly..
This machine is a stand alone with no multi users and has to my knowledge two ports..one for the mouse and one for the modem..but I no nothing about porting really..
.How would I boot with nodhcp and would I open a terminal after connection and type sudo pkill pump...what does that do? and do I open a terninal and type sudo netstat-tul.. if this is to lame ignore me....what is the worst that could happen...someone taps into the fact I have a dentist appointment on tuesday..I really just want to learn more about dsl because I like it..blablabla sorry..

adding...forgot to add a space..got this

dsl@box:~$ netstat -tul
Active Internet connections (only servers)
Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State
tcp 0 0 *:dict *:* LISTEN
dsl@box:~$

only need the localhost for dict but could not find the file to remove *.* listen for the dictd.org online server..not a dsl...as you mention in the other post not sure it is an issue but thanks for the view.. this is while online

lovdsl,

I'm not really to clear on what you are getting at. However, some basic commands that came to mind while reading your post are below.

To boot without dhcp, at the boot prompt type:

dsl nodhcp

You can also add it to the grub boot list if needed.
If you do that, you'll need to manually give your machine an ip address.

You can use:

netstat -a

to list all your open ports and current connections to the outside world.

You can also get the nmap extension from the repository in the network section and scan yourself (127.0.0.1) or others too.

Next Page...
original here.