[Wylug-help] new registered member - How do I harden Mandrake 9.2?

[Shaun Laughey]

Chris Mackins wrote:

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>Hello
>
>I'm a complete newbie to Linux. However, although I've got my boxed
>Linux mandrake 9.2 and can't wait to put microsoft through the shredder
>I'm used to basically installing software with just a couple of mouse
>clicks. I'll be using a home network with broadband.  I understand that
>configuring the firewall that comes pre-packaged with Mandrake 9.2 isn't
>enough to secure the network, and that I need to harden Mandrake for
>increased security?  This stuff/concept is all kind of new to me.
>
>Does anyone have any suggestions regarding how I can do this 'easily' -
>being the operative word as I'm not a techie - I'm migrating from
>Microsoft! While I recognise there is loads of info 'out there' on the
>web, much of it is, from my observations, all very techie oriented.
>While I'm confident and competent about getting my way around a
>PC/Microsoft OS/Windows - but when it comes to Linux and command lines,
>this is a new area altogether.  I look forward to the future and the
>possibilities that Linux offers but my immediate short term goals are to
>get Mandrake 9.2 up and running securly to enable myself and family to
>use without concern straight away.
>
>Are there any web sites/documentation that can guide a non techie newbie
>to this aspect?
>
>Thanks in anticipation.
>
>Chris.
>
>
>
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How is it going to be connected to the internet?
Thats probably got the biggest bearing on things.
Plus if its going to be a desktop machine I would recommend you not
harden it too much otherwise it wont work. One of the nice things about
linux is you can make it fairly solid. Sadly that means removing humans
from the loop most of the time. It also means reduced functionality.

I think the linux documentation project and mandrake users club are the
best sources of info. You could also ask questions on the
http://www.linuxquestions.org/
Its also a great place to browse for answers too. Sometimes.