Best Distro/OS For Security/Networking
 

I've been reading everything I could get my hands on about Linux.... Windows is great but I want something more, something I can manipulate/learn from and gain useful knowledge from. I've been looking and trying to find what would be the best Linux "Distro/OS" that would support Security/Networking jobs... I will be running it on my Personal PC(dual boot with windows) and it will not be used for games/movies/fun, only work :). I'm not in a, "OMG I GOTTA SWITCH NOW!" mode because I have the time to work with/learn what I need to learn to be able to work with Linux comfortably.. So if you can point me in the direction on where/what Distro I should use/look into please do so.

Would anyone suggest Gentoo to use for a guru such as myself? ;]

Some links:
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/Secure/

What abour c0NNie, is she your honny?

Almost any distro would work. Debian is very easy to make secure as most services are off by default.

There is also a harden package. A good place to start is by running Bastille.
Setup a Firewall , and make sure there are no services running that you do not actually need.

LinuxQuestions.org - Security references - where Linux users come for help

Yah, im coming from a XP PRO only backround... Im getting into some ehh.. "Security Hobbies" and would like the Distro to be able to use but very stable.... Im just looking for a place to start and trying to find out how I am suppose to dual boot/run Linux... Im guessing just Partition my harddrive and install linux right up... Heard Linux HD's are dirt cheap also.. So thats a big plus! So... If you got any suggestions on anything else you think could benefit a linux newb such as myself please share.
Thanks ^^

I would recommend the book "Running Linux" from O'Reilly Press. It's honestly the best "quickstart guide" that I've come across. If you ever have a problem, you can always come here, but if you want to solve it on your own (which, aside from being more gratifying, will help you learn more) go to http://www.tldp.org (The Linux Documentation Project) There's tons of information there about what to do in an "Oh Shits!" moment and how to avoid those moments before they happen. Overally, play around, mess around with stuff to see what it does. Have fun, even if you aren't supposed to at work!

I might have misunderstood this question, but I would recommend trying:

1. Knoppix STD.
2. PHLAK

Both are live cd's and will give you hands on time with some really great tools.
I use Knoppix STD more.
It is a good tool to test my small home LAN for weaknesses.

Regards,
Blair

Thanks alot for the great input, im going to read that book and check out the Distros.

welcome j0NNy

from what iv read all the distrobutions have the same Linux source thus making them equall in security, you may find some distrobutions you can make very secure.

you do right in reading everything about Linux and having a dual boot, i dont have dual boot and had to jump in the deep end there and then, installed Mandriva two nights ago and cant praise it enough,

I was just @ distrowatch.com and saw another Live CD. The distro is NST.

http://www.networksecuritytoolkit.org/nst/index.html

Again, I am not sure exactly what you are looking for.
It seems alot of people are telling you about making a secure install. From what I can gather you want to try a distro that has security tools for a person in your line of work/interest.

If your looking for good learning materials check the bookmarking section.
http://bookmarks.linuxquestions.org/

I use RUTE, and Oreilly has some good books. I can't remember the name of them now.
RUTE

Good Luck.

Blair

anyone one can make a system insecure, a distro insecure, just run the gui as superuser, start any services and open all the ports,....... i would use any live cd if i were you. With a live cd you take the time to discover linux without installing it and stress yourself over nothing.