Hello to all. I have now become extremely security concience because of recent problems that led me to go to Ubuntu 12.04! I wasn't very security concious before!!

I can't find info on whether or not it has a FireWall, if so how to find it or set it up?

Any and all instructions on securing my new OP system would be very much appreciated.

Linux has the netfilter system (built into the kernal) which acts as a firewall (as well as other things). These are configured using IP tables. Unfortunatley IP tables can be quite complex (they also offer a lot of power and configuaration options). Luckily Ubuntu comes with a package called ufw (uncomplicated firewall).

Ufw is a simplified interface for configuring iptable while still offers plenty of power, this application is still driven on the command line but it's not difficult to use if you are happy using a terminal. Ufw should be installed by defualt if not a quick "sudo apt-get install ufw" should suffice (or install though software centre).

If you not so happy on the command line there are other GUI tools you can use to configure netfilter wither by controlling ufw or iptables directly. I don't have any experiance of such applications but a quick google suggests that Gufw or firestarter are good easy to use GUIs. One note I don't beleive firestarter to be currently maintained so bugs may go unpatched. Gufw should be availible in software centre.

HTH

Hi archShade thanks for answering. I will print out your reply and see what I can come up with.
It is scaring the heck out of me that there was no mention of a firewall in loading 12.04, so if I can't get this resolved quick I fear I will be right back in the same boat (so to speak) that I was before, getting "hacked" to death!! That's something I will not put up with and no one should expect me to.

Currently I can't even get the system to store passwords, even though I have exercised this option in "Preferences", that's another thing that really gives me concern about Ubuntu, maybe they are giving up on there goals.

I recommend you read this very informative introduction to security in Ubuntu (including firewalls): http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

I am very confused by your statement that security is your #1 priority, and yet you find Ubuntu lacking because it asks for your password?

I don't know who you are, but I never made the statement you mention, you seem to be mixing up words to suit yourself and make me sound like an idiot!!

Security is my #1 priority, even though I am not a "Guru" I know enough to see you are atempting to mislead others on the things I am saying, by changing my words to suit your position!!!! SO, If you can't help the problem, get the HELL out of the conversation.

Be that as it may... Do you have any questions about the security concepts explained in the link I posted?

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

The link he posted is actually a good one and worth the read,...

I would also mention a few things...

Disable remote gui logins for everyone. Either disable ssh, or secure it according to that article. Choose a password that has 8+ characters (more is better) and have a look here for a humorous take on this;
http://xkcd.com/936/

In your browser, use things like NoScript (helps contain javascript malware). Chrome/Chromium tends to sandbox web sessions better than other browsers (but was, ironically, the first one hacked in a fairly recent hacking contest). Avoid using Adobe flash, if you can help it.

Try to logout of your user account between browsing sessions, especially when browsing unfamiliar sites (java/javascript malware has the potential to temporarily "infect" your account). Make sure your Desktop Environment is set to give you a fresh session by default (rather than trying to preserve running apps, etc.). Make sure that your browser is connected securely when inputting any personal information (using https,... you'll see the little lock symbol in the status bar).

If you use Google services (gmail, Google+, have an Android phone, etc.), make sure to activate two step authentication. If you have an Android device,... there's a nice app from Google that gives you rotating pin codes to authenticate apps and devices that connect to Google's services... You just have to authenticate that device first.

Make sure your screensaver (and login) requires your password. Never re-use your user account password, nor any derivatives of it, with on-line accounts. Never re-use passwords on any online accounts connected to a credit card or bank account. Never use an open WiFi connection (one without WPA2 encryption or better) to transact anything that you wouldn't announce from the top of a building. And try to avoid using a static IP from your ISP, unless you have to do this for some business related purpose.

You started cross posting (asking for help on another a thread). Snowpine was trying to help and suggested a link which has a lot of infomation. Concerning firewalls you should not expect any signs that a firewall is loaded (I'm not sure if you where refering to during the installation or during boot up). Like I said the fundermentals of Linux firewalls are controlled by the Linux kernal so there is nothing to install. The basic interface is the IP tables (again is part of the basic sub-sytem), but the applications (ufw, and gufw) I listed provide a simpler to use interface.

I'm guessing you have had a bad experiance with working with windows. More important than having firewall is making sure your system has no unessecery web facing services. SSH is the the most often targetted vulnrabillity. It's important to keep up to date packages.

Also no matter how you think you are being represented people will be more willing to help if your civil.