Installed Ubuntu. Next Step.

tombiz · 08-15-2006, 01:58 AM

I have successfully installed Ubuntu DD on my desktop. Everything is working in terms of OS and Hardware together. I am currently the default user with ADMIN access. But I got some questions. Is the default installation enough in terms of securing Ubuntu or do I need to make any tweaks to the default setup? Do I need any anti-virus, firewall, and etc software for protection? Where can I find info on installing flash plugins and other things to be able to listen to radio over the Internet?

Simply put, I am looking for a guide on what to next once the install is complete.

Thanks.

tredegar · 08-15-2006, 02:33 AM

Anti-virus? Not unless you're running windows,
Firewall - maybe (Try "Guarddog")

Some links for you:
http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/sources
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

Have Fun!
HTH

IBall · 08-15-2006, 03:20 AM

For a firewall, try Firestarter if you use Gnome, or Guarddog if you use KDE.

You can install either of these (don't install both

) easily:

Code:

sudo aptitude install firestarter

OR

Code:

sudo aptitude install guarddog

--Ian

cavalier · 08-15-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombiz

Simply put, I am looking for a guide on what to next once the install is complete.

In this case, you're very lucky. Because there's a website called ubuntuguide.org. It's fantastic, and has been maintained since back in the version 4.10 days, but updated to for the latest and greatest versions of Ubuntu. I always go there to get the code I need to get everything set up just the way I want it, not really trusting programs like easyubuntu or automatix.

If it has a weakness, it's that the entries really don't explain the why, only the how, of getting things like Flash, Java, and multimedia working.

cautious · 08-15-2006, 09:14 AM

One very easy thing to do is update to the really most current version by going to System>Administration>Update manager. It will ask for your administrator password, and then give you a screen called "Software Update". If you click on the "check" button, it will check for updates for you, and apparently download and install them for you automatically.

Your system should be secure administratively as long as you are the one with the password. I don't know how to change the default administrator username, but I don't see why I have to.

As for the rest, I'm right behind you checking the suggested sites.

nuxrl · 08-15-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredegar

Anti-virus? Not unless you're running windows,

If you need AV, bdc or clamav are there.

aysiu · 08-15-2006, 01:58 PM

Best advice I can give on security:

1. Create a hard-to-guess password
2. Don't open any ports or SSH access unless you know what you're doing
3. Back up your important files regularly
4. Don't do anything stupid (fall for phishing scams, click "OK" if it's not OK)

Lord Ghost · 08-15-2006, 02:57 PM

Firewall? Ubuntu has one stock. It's in there. If you want control over it, sure, get Firestarter or something similar. But it's already there, protecting you, quietly.

Cheers,
LordGhost

PS: As for the rest...what aysiu said.

IBall · 08-15-2006, 08:36 PM

Most Linux distros have iptables built-in, and Ubuntu is no exception. However, AFAIK, Ubuntu does not have any default rules set, so iptables sits there and does nothing. Therefore, you need to install a frontend for iptables, such as firestarter or guarddog.

This is the output of "sudo iptables -L" on my standard Ubuntu machine. This shows that iptables has no rules, and so is not protecting anything:

Code:

ian@iball:~$ sudo iptables -L
Password:
Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

--Ian

Lord Ghost · 08-15-2006, 08:41 PM

Well, I guess Ubuntu is slightly different than other distros I've played with. I always install Firestarter anyhow by default, so that would explain why it always appears to be 100% set up when I log in.

Ah well, live and learn.

Cheers,
LordGhost

Zetec · 08-16-2006, 11:21 AM

https://wiki.ubuntu.com has a wealth of information.

edafe · 08-26-2006, 03:04 AM

Step-by-step instructions on how to use public key authentication with SSH:

http://www.edafe.org/ubuntu/index.html#authentication

Regards,
Edafe