Anti-virus, firewall....needed in Ubuntu?

[scarmpls]

I am currently running version 8.02 desktop Hardy Heron. I just got connected to the internet, I am new to forums, Ubuntu and Linux. I hoped that my internet experience would be smoother (less interruptions for "upgrades", new releases, security threats, etc) than my experience with XP.

I am downloading version 9.04 desktop right now.

My concern about anti-virus software, firewall, anti-spyware software is simply that it may slow system performance down to below my personal tolerance. My internet connection is a 7Mb/s fiber optic DSL connection that's directly connected via ethernet, and seems to be moving quite nicely.

I figure someone will reply to this post with a simple, "Yes. All the stuff you bought for your XP OS is still necessary, but you can get it for free, or cheaper. Here's where to get it..." Which would be fine.

Any suggestions, comments are welcomed. Thanks.

[Mirge]

IMO, for a desktop system you don't really need any of the 3. Though you actually already have a "firewall" installed -- iptables. It's used to specify routing/traffic rules.

[scarmpls]

Thanks for your reply. What does IMO mean?

[Psycho.mario]

IMO=In My Opinion

[scarmpls]

I got it, "In my opinion". Or one could type, "IMHO" for, "in my humble opinion" too if one was so inclined.

[Irishe]

IMO = in My Opinion....:)

opps, i'm too Slow...lol

[cariboo907]

Have a look at this thread, if you are concerned about security.

[leoquant]

iptables is installed, not active though.

sudo iptables -L

you need a frontend/gui to manage iptables, or use the terminal.
i'am using g(ufw) as frontend/gui.

ubuntu uses a "zero open port policy".

[Graham1]

Sorry to hijack this thread but my question is kind of related :).

I always thought that there was no firewall included with Ubuntu (well, installed but not enabled). Is that incorrect?

I'm referring to UFW or is that just a frontend to IP Tables? Then you've got GUFW. I'm confused :confused:.

:)

[Graham1]

sudo iptables -L

Hi leoquant

Is that the same as sudo ufw enable?

:)

[leoquant]

Hi leoquant

Is that the same as sudo ufw enable?

:)

No. It shows you that by default iptables = not active.(empty/no rules)

[scarmpls]

Thanks for the link to the thread to the spool of the kernel of the agenda about security, cariboo907!

It really is a quite extensive, but not too technical overview and how-to on the topic of security.

Good stuff. Thanks again.

[Wiebelhaus]

Better be safe than sorry , Plus we have the best offering for free with registration , you can scan your /home once a week just to make sure nothing nasty is hanging around , check my sig.

[Mirge]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/126240/free_agent_linux_firewalls_and_antivirusneeded_or_ not.html

Interesting read... though it is aging.

[Viva]

None of the existing antivirus software check for the so called security threats in linux. They only check for windows viruses, so install it if you want to scan the windows drives for viruses installed while running windows. You don't really beed an antivirus for ubuntu.