For a new Ubuntu box, what would be the security checklist for a new box?

You're asking a big open-ended question, but I'll try to get you started. Step one would be to do a google search for "Ubuntu security", but here are some general rules.

1. Use a firewall.
2. Learn to properly use UNIX permissions and make sure you always use the fewest permissions needed. A lot of newbies will "chmod 777" a file or directory when they have permission issues, which is very bad.
3. Use your machine as a normal user and not as root. Learn to use sudo.
4. Remove and disable any un-needed services. For example, if you don't need a mail server running, remove postfix.
5. Use TCP wrappers to lock down serviced you do need available.

There are a lot of general rules too, like use a strong password, encrypt sensitive data (TrueCrypt), keep regular backups, etc. That should get your started, but do a lot of google research too.

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You might want to have a look at the Security References as well.

And I see you are doing web application development... That means you will need to become somewhat of a security expert. Always sanitize your inputs!!!

Most of the info in Securing Debian Manual - http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/se...-debian-howto/ would probably apply to Ubuntu as well.

Securing a New Ubuntu Installation - Community Ubuntu Documentation - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ma...ringNewInstall

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