securing your linux box yourself, or using a specialty distro?
I have been wondering if there's any difference between using one of those specialty distros like IPCop, SmoothWall, etc for creating a firewall/router/proxy box or using something like Slackware or Debian and hardening it yourself?
Is it just a matter of ease-of-use? Or do the specialty distros have specialty apps (or even a custom kernel?) that you can't get if you're using Slack or Debian? I'm looking into creating your regular standalone firewall/router/proxy box for a home network. TIA, Drew :newbie: |
I suggest Clarkconnect.
What you get: Web configuration Good firewall scripts already there Many optional programs Very easy to setup. Based on redhat 9. If you install it, see http://ccfaq.valar.co.uk Mine has been running for 120 days now :). To answer your question, these specialty distro give you something that you could do on another distro. There is no magic there. However, you can save a lot of time by using it, and you can still learn by looking at how it works. |
I suggest you take a look at OpenBSD which is secure by default. You can however harden any distribution; I've been hardening RedHat and Debian systems - honestly I personally prefer hardening Debian systems.
For a firewall, etc I suggest OpenBSD though. More information may be found at www.openbsd.org |
Additionally: you may take a look at my website for hardening a linux system: www.linux-corner.net - it is as of yet just the initial start of hardening, but as time allows it will grow :-)
|
Thanks for the responses!
I think I going to have to get some test boxes out and try a couple distros... :D Thanks guys |
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:19 AM. |