How secure is Linux?

Question

Do I need a firewall? I am using a version of Xandros for reference. Its the one on the eee pc. And how do firewalls work. I can't get a straight answer. One person says its like running windows without a firewall, another says its more secure then vista, another says Linux is a firewall itself, another says its highly vulnerable. So what is it and how does it work? I am good at XP and understand it well, but Linux is so confusing cause it seems no one else knows exactly what it is.

So, How secure is it and what firewall do I need if I need one?

Answer 1

I run Linux without any protection at all.

No firewall, No antivirus, No antispyware.

No Problem.

Try doing that with Windows.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

no linux distro is vulnerable to hardly anything, I surf porn all the time and the girlfriend gets music all the time those are the 2 hardest things to do on the net and not get viruses we have been secure for a year now problems not evan one. Most linux is not a firewall, some fancy distros are but not xandros. xandros is a good OS not the best but good it is just as secure as most maybe the only thing that is more secure is the very hard to work with slackware and I do mean hard. It is very secure just run it for awhile and see for yourself. also do a search on the net for linux there are a ton of sites with guides and how toos bottom line if you want a firewall run it will be protecting the idiots running windows more then you cause you just dont need.
I run mostly linux mint (a ubuntu based-debian branch)
some would say one of the best and I do like it very much ots of built in goodies including firestarter witch I dont use and have no problems.

Answer 4

What are you trying to say. You are surely not suggesting that the Redmond Giant would tell lies. On the positive side Win 7 is far and away the best MS offering yet. Would I run it without antivirus. antispyware and a firewall? Not bloody likely. It's a long way to go to match Linux or Mac security levels.

Answer 5

Here is the skinny from a longtime profesional linux user:

- Linux is subject to some security issues, but they are of a different nature then windows security. No viruses for instance. Mostly buffer overflow exploits that can allow someone to take over a machine, as happens in windows as well.

All Linux distros have automated updates available that will repair any issues as soon as they are available.

- There are many free bootable versions of linux available that do not write to your hard disk, so you can get a simple taste of what is available.

- you can use it as a desktop, a server, or both simultaneously, and you should try to have LESS services running to reduce security risks, especially for beginners.

- Linux does come with built in firewalls. there are some basic ones that are easily configured for typical tasks, or you can set it up to be extremely specialized.

There is much more, but there is not time or space to go into it here.

I am aware of, but far less concerned about security on my linux boxes then on my windows boxes.

Answer 6

I have used it without firewall for years. There were no problems due to that. All you have to remember is, not to click on links from untrusted and unknown sources.

IPTables is a good firewall. Look at its manuals to use it.

Happy Linuxing.

Answer 7

I used to run Linux without a firewall and didn't have any problems.

but eh, better safe than sorry. Run in terminal:
sudo apt-get install firestarter

Firestarter is the firewall I use. I'm pretty sure Linux is secure enough without it, but it doesn't hurt to install it anyway

Answer 8

Xandros has a built in firewall utility like every other UNIX system available. And, as long as you keep your updates up to date (or even if you don't) you won't get a virus.

And it is immensely more secure than Vista.

Answer 9

Well i can't tell you much about Linux, i just know there good for servers.

A firewall is basically a way to protect your self from hackers or unsafe websites. They block ports and only allow certain thing to your computer.

To make it sound simple, it blocks bad stuff.

Answer 10

Linux is fairly secure because it is made by many people so the many handed approach makes it more likely to have less security holes as there are many people looking from different perspectives.
You should have a firewall installed. Theres a really good free one made by ZoneAlarm. But be warned:its not for novices.