[Chester LUG] Security

Thu May 22 12:55:10 UTC 2008

On Thursday 22 May 2008, Michael Crilly wrote:
> http://iptables-tutorial.frozentux.net/iptables-tutorial.html

webmin has a nice interface to this.

http://www.webmin.com/

Dave.

>
> On 5/22/08, Paul Williams <wilp4a at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> > Fairy nuff.  I realise that you might not have the time to go through
> > IPtables at length (esp if at work, and I'm out in a bit.  Can you
> > recommend a site that could guide a newbie like me through the minefield
> > and so that I don't end up castrating my internet? ;P
> >
> >  ------------------------------
> > Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 12:56:41 +0100
> > From: e-mail at mcrilly.co.uk
> > To: chester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > Subject: Re: [Chester LUG] Security
> >
> > iptables is a packet filter which was included with th 2.4.* kernel I
> > believe. It's a part of the netfilter routines in the kernel(?)
> >
> > It's complex to manage from the console, but you learn a lot.
> >
> >
> > On 5/22/08, *Paul Williams* <wilp4a at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > oops.  my bad.  ok.  whats with these iptables then?
> >
> >  ------------------------------
> > Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 12:50:15 +0100
> > From: e-mail at mcrilly.co.uk
> > To: chester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > Subject: Re: [Chester LUG] Security
> >
> > Firestarter is a front end, not the actual firewall. The firewall is
> > 'iptables', Firestarter is just a GUI for configuring it. DO NOT HAVE
> > FIRESTARTER RUNNING CONSTANTLY! :)
> >
> > On 5/22/08, *Paul Williams* <wilp4a at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > Hey, I'm willing to try just about anything (up to a point).  Until then,
> > is there any way to get firestarter to load up automatically when I fire
> > up Ubuntu?
> >
> >  ------------------------------
> > Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 10:46:45 +0100
> > From: e-mail at mcrilly.co.uk
> > To: chester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > Subject: Re: [Chester LUG] Security
> >
> > No idea when it comes to AV on Linux (or even Windows); I'm just careful
> > what I install/use. I'd suggest learning iptables's syntax as you'll
> > learn a lot and get a better understanding about networking, such as
> > packet states and NATing.
> >
> > On 5/21/08, *Paul Williams* <wilp4a at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
> >
> > Cheers for all these tips, guys.
> >
> > Have installed firestarter.  Will let you know how it goes...
> >
> > As for anti virus.  I use AVG with XP, and have it disabled unless needed
> > for a scan.  I was hoping for the same for Linux.  Will Clamav do the
> > job, or is there someting better out there?
> >
> > > From: r.downing at dl.ac.uk
> > > To: chester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > > Subject: Re: [Chester LUG] Security
> > > Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 20:32:22 +0100
> > >
> > > On Wednesday 21 May 2008 18:56:49 Michael Crilly wrote:
> > > > Firewall - again, what distro? Ubuntu has iptables ready to go. To
> > > > make it easier install firestarter.
> > >
> > > Firestarter is good, or indeed Shorewall. Firestarter is probably more
> >
> > simple
> >
> > > to use though. Realistically though, if you are not running any
> > > services
> >
> > such
> >
> > > as web servers or things of that ilk (things that others would connect
> >
> > _to_ )
> >
> > > then a firewall is not useful.
> > > Clam AV is good, but does not operate in the same way as Windows
> >
> > antivirus
> >
> > > tools. It's meant to be used periodically, scanning a system for
> > > infected
> > >
> > > files. It (afaik, I may be wrong) does not intercept file accesses like
> > > Norton AV and friends. Also, I know it's a bit blase of me, but the
> > > virus
> > >
> > > threat for linux machines is still really only theoretical. Proof of
> >
> > concept
> >
> > > viruses have been written but the writers have a hard job on their
> > > hands coping with the many different systems out there. A windows
> > > machine is a windows machine is a windows machine, so if you can infect
> > > one you can
> >
> > infect
> >
> > > them all (modulo patches etc).
> > > The worrisome things are the rootkits but once again the typicl attack
> >
> > vectors
> >
> > > are going to be active services your machine offers.
> > >
> > > > I haven't installed antivirus my self.
> > >
> > > Me neither. I found a good use for it though was to scan the Windows
> >
> > install
> >
> > > also on the computer when that got knocked out by a virus.
> > >
> > > > If you are on ubuntu, then please! Reconfigure the default sudo
> > > > configuration file. It's poorly designed and a normal user's password
> > > > is as good as the root password - not good.
> > >
> > > How would you change things? I'm with you in that it's better to become
> >
> > root
> >
> > > with the correct password, but for ease of use it's good to only have
> > > to remember your login password plus have the benefit of cached
> > > credentials meaning frequent use of admin programs does not require
> > > repeated authentication.
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Roger Downing
> > > eScience systems administrator
> > > STFC
> > > Daresbury Laboratories
> > > Keckwick Lane
> > > Warrington
> > > WA4 4AD
> > >
> > > Tel: 01925 603937
> > > Mbl: 07880 736154
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > Chester at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > > https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/chester
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > M. T. Crilly
> > http://www.mcrilly.co.uk/
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > M. T. Crilly
> > http://www.mcrilly.co.uk/
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > M. T. Crilly
> > http://www.mcrilly.co.uk/
> >
> >
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> >
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-- 
Dr. David Holden.

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