Linux.com has an artical on installing and configuring a firewall for ubuntu
You can read it here
It’s a shame they did not mention Firestarter which I found to be an absolute dodle and much easier to set-up than Guarddog. I do not know if it means that it is less functional or reliable… :ohah: Maybe I should give lokkit a go and see. I find GuargdDog a maze… 
Firestarter is for the GNOME interface so I have it installed on my Ubuntu computer. It’s pretty good but it’s also a little basic
I use Guarddog on my Kubuntu box, but like you say, it is a little more complicated. I’ll have to read the manual 
[QUOTE=megamaced]
Firestarter is for the GNOME interface
[/QUOTE]
Might be, but it works swell with KDE.
I would whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who is not completely clued up on firewalls under Linux and finds the subject a bit daunting…
I got to know Firestarter when I first installed Ubuntu. When I moved on to Mandriva, as I did not like Shorewall particularly (AT also suggested it was naff which swang it for me…
), I instaled Firestarter. Then when I installed Kubuntu and Xubuntu I still used Firestarter.
[QUOTE=megamaced]
I’ll have to read the manual
[/QUOTE]
i hate manuals too,
i didn’t think linux needed a firewall, am i wrong ?
That all depends on the overall security of the box. If you never update your system, have lots of running services on your box and weak passwords, it’s a pretty bad idea to be without a firewall. But if you use best practices where security is concerned, it’s a very secure platform so the firewall can safely be considered optional.
thanks AT, if using Mandriva (like you didn’t know) with a hardware firewall built into my router,
do you think i could use a software firewall ?
(security is set to high)
[QUOTE=donkey42]
thanks AT, if using Mandriva (like you didn’t know) with a hardware firewall built into my router,
do you think i could use a software firewall ?
(security is set to high)
[/QUOTE]
No, I’d turn it off.