[Nottingham] Ubuntu/firewalls (lack of)/wine

[Alan Pope]

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:21:35 +0000, Martin <martin at ml1.co.uk> wrote:
> PETER TAFFS wrote:
> [---]
> > ssh and X11. Because it doesn't host services they
> > decided it didn't need a firewall!
> 
> Quite right too. The firewall would be completely superfluous!
> 
> 
> > This is obviously
> > one for discussion.
> 
> Discuss: Why would a firewall be needed or wanted?
> 

A program (e.g. a virus) could run and open a port (above 1024) with a
telnet/ftp/whatever server on it, then ping out to the net and let
someone shell/ftp/whatever in to your machine..

A firewall would stop them getting in, and may (depending upon your
rules) stop the rogue program calling out.

Unlikely, but entirely possible.

Al.