Hi All:

I am going to be installing Slackware soon and hoping the measures that follow will provide with a secure setup.

1. Load the Slackware Distro from DVD.

2. Install IPTABLES and rule sets. Hook up Ethernet and check logs. This is desktop computer running behind a router so the rule set must match the situation.

3. Modify the file /etc/fstab so it mounts all devices including USB thumbdrives. Check that it works.

4. Edit and copy .bashrc and Bash configuration files. Add all alias and history modifications. Reboot.

5. Block all outside access to root. I probably should have done this first!

This is what I have figured out so far what am I forgetting?

For a desktop behind a router, I wouldn't worry that much. Just disallowing services you don't need when asked during configuration is enough IMHO. Among those proposed by default, I disallow ssh and inetd, that's all. Caveat emptor: I'm just a regular user, so maybe wait for answers from more knowledgable people.

You don't have to do everything before rebooting you computer after the installation. Just don't connect the Ethernet cable (or the antenna) and you won't have to worry about threats from the Internet while you configure your system.

It often takes some "adjustments" to get everything working the way you want (sound, video, networking) so you don't have to do everything before the first reboot.

As mentioned by Didier, just being behind a typical router setup and using standard NAT with a non-routeable IP address range takes care of most of your Internet security issues

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I don't have much to add, but I recently found this interesting:

http://www.oldskoolphreak.com/tfiles/hack/slack_sec.txt

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