I need to set up a firewall for Unbuntu.

I'm looking at my sypnatic package manager and I just saw that I have Shoreline Firewall (Shorewall). Is there anyway to configure it? How do I know it is active? Is it safe? Please advice. Thank you

Blues
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Sorry for asking so much, but I'm learning about computers (this is all Greek to me...LOL). I'm not interested in learning about any other OS that is not Linux. Please advice. Thanks for the support.

Yours truly,
Blues
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Hi rainatibo,

It's safe to use Ubuntu without firewall as long you don't install any server (SMB, p2p, ssh, ftp, etc). If you do install any server, then you should install a firewall. The simplest one is firestarter. You can install it with:

sudo apt-get install firestarter

Go to the Gnome menu System, Administration, Firestarter and start it.

After setting it the first time it will always be working on the background. To have Firestarter working when you login, add it on your Sessions preferences (System, Preferences, Sessions menu) and add on the application line "gksudo firestarter".

Cheers.

Just to say that the «sessions "gksudo firestarter"» is just to enable the Firestarter GUI, not Firestarter, as it will always be working on the background, even if the GUI is not on the Desktop.

Hi Rui. Thanks for answering my question. I noticed that Ubuntu has Shoreline Firewall installed, can I use it as a firewall, or do recommend Firestarter? How would I know it is active? Please advice. Thank you

Blues

I would recommend Firestarter because it's easy to setup. You can use any firewall setup you like.

Shorewall is also easy, but not by GUI.

Guarddog and lokkit are in the repositories, you should find them if you are connected to the internet.

Use the one you feel comfortable with. Just remeber that if you have to uninstall any firewall before installing another one, and a reboot (or flushing iptables rules), is required between installs.