Firewall for Ubuntu 7.10

I just started using Ubuntu on my laptop and I'm loving it so far because firefox runs so much faster than on windows, among other things. My question is, are there firewalls for Ubuntu? Do I even need one, and why or why not? Thanks.

 

I sometimes use VNC and online gaming so I would like to get one just in case, if not for piece of mind. Also, I like to monitor and control usage as I have a download cap. Having said that, I don't think a firewall is a must but is obviously beneficial, as this primer on firewalls hints. Maybe do a bit of reading, googling "linux firewall" brings up a lot. I'm currently considering FireStarter.

 

So would it be recommended to have a firewall installed on Ubuntu 7.10? What about any antivirus or antispyware software? I know this is not Windows but I am new to using Linux frequently and currently I dont have any software of any sort relating to virus/spyware protection and firewall.

 

Ubuntu 7.10 has a firewall already it just needs to be turned on and configured. It will also do nat translations as well.

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/7.10/keeping-safe/C/firewall.html

 

Anti-virus and anti-spyware aren't needed on Ubuntu. Since you're using linux, and not windows, it's not needed. The firewall isn't "needed", but it's always better to have one.

I recommend FireStarter for that

So, overall: No anti-virus/spyware, and if you are really paranoid then install FireStarter.

 

Thanks...I dont think I'll ever look into protection software then...but if I do, I'll remember FireStarter.

 

Just keep in mind that if you are transferring any files between Linux and Windows, your files can pick up and transmit viruses to Windows, that do nothing at all to Linux.