LinuxPlanet: Protecting Your Linux System with FireStarter and Storm Firewall
Dec 01, 2000, 17:19 (0 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Michael Hall)
"Despite its relatively secure status when compared to some
other operating systems, Linux is still somewhat problematic to
deal with, especially as the userbase drifts more and more from
experienced technical hands to hobbyists and less experienced users
out to try something new. Considering the insecure way some
distributions are still shipped, and the pervasive and obnoxious
presence of homo scriptkiddeus on the net, there's a lot of room
for simple, 'out of the box' security solutions on Linux."
"In the Windows world, there are several such shrinkwrap
products that cost relatively little and provide a few bells and
whistles. Linux, of course, has good firewalling functionality
built-in or at least easily obtainable, and it will be better yet
with the new kernel. At the same time, configuring that
functionality is a bit daunting for new users."
"We took a look at a pair of GUI-based firewalling solutions for
Linux: one a commercial offering from Stormix Technologies (Storm
Firewall), and the other a free software project that integrates
with the GNOME desktop (Firestarter). Both provide graphical
front-ends to ipchains, taking some of the pain out of building
tailor-made firewalls for home networks."
"It's always tempting to try to drum up a little interest with a
false air of competition, but in this case it simply isn't
appropriate: one is a tool that enables the harried network
administrator or savvy (if deep-pocketed) home user to exercise
fine-grained control of a full-fledged firewall, the other is a
fast and easy way for a casual user (or network administrator with
very simple needs) to toss up a fast firewall on a machine with
little concern for the finer points of configuring things."
Complete
Story
Related Stories:
- Security Focus: An Introduction to Incident Handling(Dec 01, 2000)
- AllLinuxDevices: Security Review: VelociRaptor Firewall Kicks!
(Nov 30, 2000)
- SunWorld: Tapping on the walls - Learn to think like your attacker
(Nov 24, 2000)
- Linux.com: Introduction to ipchains(Nov 23, 2000)
- Linux.com: Introduction to Firewalls(Nov 22, 2000)
- Linux.com: Southern Fried Firewalls(Nov 18, 2000)
- Slashdot: Answers About Bastille Linux From Jon Lasser & Jay Beale(Nov 16, 2000)
- PC Quest (India): A Firewall for Linux with Ipchains(Nov 12, 2000)
- LinuxPlanet: Linux Networking, Part 6: Securing Your Network(Nov 08, 2000)
- Security Portal: Linux Firewalling and Port Behavior(Nov 02, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Installing a firewall, Part 3(Oct 25, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Linux firewall survey, Part 3: Linux appliance roundup(Oct 24, 2000)
- Firewalls and Security, Are They Important to YOUR Company?(Oct 23, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Installing a firewall, Part 2 - Tips for configuring secure, lean mail and network services(Oct 18, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Linux firewall survey, Part 2: Commercial firewall products(Oct 17, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Installing a firewall, Part 1(Oct 11, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Linux firewall survey, Part 1: Open source product roundup(Oct 10, 2000)
- Enterprise Linux Today: Do you know if your data is safe?(Oct 04, 2000)
- Linuxiso.org: Storm Firewall for Linux - Review(Oct 03, 2000)
- LinuxPlanet: .comment: Going Broadband With a Cable Modem(Sep 27, 2000)
- osOpinion: Linux Security, or Rather, the Lack Thereof(Sep 21, 2000)
- Linux Journal: A Few Recipes for Easier Firewalls(Sep 17, 2000)
- RootPrompt.org: Amateur Fortress Building in Linux Part 2(Sep 17, 2000)
- RootPrompt.org: They Can't Crack What They Can't Find(Sep 12, 2000)
- Linuxnewbie.org: Setting Up a FreeSCO Router(Sep 06, 2000)
- LinuxWorld: Attacking Linux - To stop an attacker, think like a cracker(Aug 31, 2000)
- LinuxNewbie.org: How to create a Secure Install(Aug 26, 2000)
- Security Portal: Firewalls - Overview(Aug 24, 2000)
- TechRepublic: Phoenix Adaptive Firewall [in Cobalt Qube]: Worth its weight in gold(Aug 20, 2000)
- LinuxPR: Security Software Licensing for Firewall and VPN Product
(Aug 15, 2000)
- O'Reilly Network: Linux for Security Applications [Firewalls](Aug 13, 2000)
- LinuxPR: Stormix Releases Storm Firewall
(Aug 11, 2000)
