Do I really need a netfilter/firewall?
 

I'm running slack-current. I'm behind a router with NAT. I dont run any daemons or services except X and sendmail. Should I bother setting one up?

Hi

the more layers of security you have the harder it is for an attacker, I put a firewall on all my pc's

Slim Pikins

I run strict iptables on my linux router, but only because I have several server services runnning. If I were you, I probably wouldn't bother with a firewall.

Just monitor your /var/log/messages and /var/log/secure for any suspicious activity, than you can judge whether you need a firewall or not.

Well, don't you think this is a good chance to learn about firewalls? :)

most modems now come with built in firewall... so you mess only one time with an external firewall ... I think that's the greatest invention!

http://rinonapo.atspace.com

what can it hurt to install firstarter.

takes 2 minutes.

You most likely don't need a "true" firewall, just get something to modify your iptables so they are secure enough, and leave it at that. I've never seen this huge push to use GUI firewalls or the like when all they basically do in the end is modify iptables anyways.
Personally, on Slackware 10.2, I use shorewall, but it was mostly as a learning experience, not out of a fear of anything.