Hello All: I am a new linux user. I am using Linux Ubuntu 12.04. Do I need to use a antivirus program and a fire wall? I use a cable modem to connect to the internet. I want to keep this computer as simple as possible. I use this computer daily for mainly just basis web serving, email, web searches to obtain useful information, and online banking. Thanks in advance for the advise. So far I really like using Linux Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. It just works when you want it to on this older computer!

Thanks Folks!
tennisbum

Firewall would be a good idea, I believe Ubuntu has one built in. Antivirus programs in Linux are mostly just used to scan for Windows virii, so you don't accidentally spread them to your friends.

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Ok, thanks, I have GUFW install and running now. Is there a better firewall?

tennisbum

In fact you'll find that the underlying FW technology in Linux is known as 'iptables' http://linux.die.net/man/8/iptables.
What you've probably got is a GUI that presents the information in an easier to read format.
If you open a terminal and type
you can see the actual settings from there.

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Yes, you need a firewall (iptables, netfilter, etc ). Also is good practice to unistall and/or disable all the services that you don't need or you're not using. Concerning the antivirus is good to have one if you share files with windows computers unless that you want to let them pay for their mistakes :-)

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I used Avast for Linux and I never had any problems for the 2 years
I used Avast and Ubuntu.
www.avast.com

Re
In that case I recommend installing another copy for use ONLY for finance and keep that locked down as tight as possible and NEVER even google stuff from there.
Get the correct web address from Bank paperwork (to avoid invisible chars) and type it into FF and bookmark it for future use.
Use the Noscript addon for Firefox & check the FF Content & Privacy settings eg don't allow cookies except by your bank, CC companies...

When I first read this, I read 'Web Surfing', but it is also possible that this machine is used as a local/global 'Web Server' (ie, you did actually mean exactly what you wrote), and, in that case the minimum security advice would be rather more comprehensive.

Anyway, was my original reading of the intended text as 'Web Surfing' correct?

Roughly, iptables/netfilter is a programming language for firewalls; what get described as 'firewalls' are often GUI frontends that allow you to create a firewall rule-set without getting involved in 'programming'. Firewalls are a good thing, but only really cope with the case that you have unnecessary/badly configured/unexpected services running and unexpected (and malicious) flows of packets occur. A good backstop, and while you could probably cope without one, there are probably good enough reasons for wanting one.

(Note that a Linux firewall is a firewall; it is not like, eg, Windows where primarily these things are Security Suites which combine a firewall with other things such as virus scanners, and whatever the commercial supplier thinks can help them sell more software.)

A virus scanner is more optional for Linux; you are primarily protecting other people (...which is nice...).

The other important security advice is to keep your software up to date. Once a vulnerability has been disclosed, exploits are likely to occur, so you need to update software, if you want to be safe. Fortunately, Linux Distros make this easy by providing some kind of app installer/app updater (details change by distribution - on Ubuntu, I like synaptic, but there are other options exist, and that includes command line options, if you prefer).