i'm pretty new to linux, and wondered what FREE firewall and anti-virus would be good for me to use?

i have suse 10.0 installed, and would like some easy to use, GUI based security software (a firewall of some sort and an anti-virus)

thank's for any help given

A firewall is standard with linux you just need to configure it, there are plenty of guides on the web on how to configure it.
Anti-virus software is not really needed for linux. There are programs around for it but the are used on mail and file servers to check for viruses before they reach windows machines.

As long as you setup a good firewall and have good general security, (ie strong passwords, good file permissions etc) you will be fine.

Even though Linux already includes a firewall, there are a number of GUI applications to ease the task of configuring it. My personal favorite is Firestarter.

t/y very much both.
much appreciated

any advice on anti-virus at all?

You really don't need to worry about viruses for Linux, unless you're worried about sending a possibly infected file to a Windows machine. I only know of one Linux virus, and it was creted with its own uninstall command (it was for educational purposes). I have downloaded about 11GB worth of songs through bittorent, and never have recieved a virus (at least one that attacks Linux).

The only anti-virus tool that I have heard of for Linux doesn't actually go after Linux viruses but Windows ones under Linux. My point is, welcome to an OS that is obscure and secure enough to not be targeted.

that's kool then, thanks for all your help

i got firestarter, seem's great, so thank you all

Your SuSE 10 comes with AntiVir which is a great free version of the commercial product. You can also download CLAM AV.at www.clamav.net

I'd try the built in AntiVir. It's a very solid product used all over Europe.

Let's see if we can get the "antivirus and firewall" bit out-of-the-way, by taking a little closer look at what both these tools do .. and how they apply (or don't) in the Linux environment.

A firewall is a tool that filters TCP/IP packets. Mainly it prevents outsiders from connecting to your machine. But a lot depends upon where in your network each machine is located. Many home networks build a firewall into the router, and it's a good one. If so, you probably have no need for a second one. If you're a coffee-shop maven, a firewall won't help you much... you'd have to use some cryptography-based mechanism like VPN that would identify "good guys" vs. "bad guys" by something other than their TCP/IP network address.

Antivirus tools are automated tools for "shutting the barn door after the horse has escaped." They try to identify rogue programs before they have a chance to run ... a Faustian quest since the programs are constantly changing.

Your best solution, instead of a firewall, is to use login accounts. Which, on Linux, is the default. You are logged-in normally as a user that is not allowed to do big, system-wide things. (Windows users, on the other hand, usually are password-free, all-powerful Administrators! ) Whether or not a virus "got in," as soon as it tried to do something nasty ... it would fail.

On Windows, you can make your system much more secure, and save yourself money and hassle, if you:

• Reinstall the system.
• Set up a "Limited User" for yourself. Reserve "Administrator" privileges only for actual ongoing system maintenance. Assign significant passwords to everything.
• Review the permissions on various files. You don't need, don't want, "read/write access to everything."
• Make regular backups of your work into another folder and make that folder read-only even to yourself.
• Remember that rogue-programs aren't clever; they're quite lazy. By making your system even slightly difficult to break into, you drastically reduce the chances of a successful entry. The thief will simply try the (probably-unlocked) house next door.