Networking :: Security Questions



I just looked at the readme.txt.  It had a big warning about how when you run the application it destroys all other information on the disk. I must be misreading something, so I'll check it out later.  I guess that WOULD be the ultimate securty though, because it ensures that you have nothing further to lose...clever technology; I think I'm beginning to get into the linux mentality.
I just went into my Windows OS (do you know where I find a linux iso extractor?), and checked out the readme file again:

Installation
------------

This disc can be booted from with compatible drives and BIOS - please be
aware that installing SmoothWall WILL COMPLETELY ERASE ALL DATA ON THE HARD
DRIVE OF THE TARGET MACHINE!  Please be vigilant when using this disc.

____

What am I missing?
j,

I think maybe I mislead you, perhaps, kinda,.... but not on purpose.
Yes, Smoothwall WILL DESTROY all data on any hard drive you install it on.
The term "dedicated firewall" means that a machine that is a dedicated firewall is dedicated to that purpose and that is all that it does. SmoothWall is not an add on firewall application like rcfirewall, iptables, or the various Windows desktop firewalls. SmoothWall's only function in life is be a firewall and protect your stuff. This is very similar to a Cisco PIX or other various commercial dedicated firewall appliances. That is the world that I work in so I get excited to be able to use a commercial grade dedicated firewall at home.

So, to sum up: If you install SmoothWall on your DSL machine, it will cease to be a DSL machine and it will become a dedicated firewall. Personally, I think it is great. However, if you do not have another machine to run DSL on, then maybe not so great. I have used garage sale $10 machines with 200Mhz CPU and 128Mb Ram and 2Gb Hdd to become SmoothWall firewalls. It can be done for cheap or free, if you are so inclined.
Got it, thanks.

Right now I'm running linux on my laptop, so can't use a hardware firewall (although I might consider that for my desktop).

original here.