Firewalls for Linux?

M O L8ingN2dust · 10-27-2005, 02:46 PM

Hi, I was wondering what the best firewalls for Linux are, and where I can get them (preferably for free). Currently am running Mandrake 10.1, but that may change in the near future...

madluther · 10-27-2005, 02:52 PM

The linux kernel has all the firewall features one would ever need built in, the user space command line application 'iptables' is used to control it.
For large complex rules sets or for those that like to avoid command line apps, fwbuilder is a good choice http://www.fwbuilder.org

M O L8ingN2dust · 10-27-2005, 02:55 PM

Excellent! I will have to try that. I like to know that my security is working really well. I test for open ports, etc. and right now my system has open ports that could possibly used by trojans. So hopefulls firewall bulder will help me close the holes...

hob · 10-27-2005, 03:07 PM

Most of the main distros include a firewall utility that configures iptables. For example, Fedora configures iptables to block all incoming connections by default as part of the installation process, and gives you a Security Level utility to customise the firewall settings after installation - SUSE and Mandriva do the same. You don't really need a separate utility unless the system is acting as a router, VPN server or other setup that requires a complex firewall configuration.

samael26 · 10-27-2005, 03:43 PM

If you're really in need of one, get guarddog, good graphical frontend to configure iptables

shengchieh · 10-27-2005, 10:04 PM

You can surf the list of firewall softwares at

http://www.websamba.com/Linux_Docs_Links
-> softwares
-> firewall

I always been hearing of firestarter and guarddog.
Never used any since we have a window firewall here.

Sheng-Chieh

shazam75 · 10-27-2005, 10:08 PM

Guarddog is EXCELLENT!