Is it needed to install a firewall in linux?

Question

If you use a public wi-fi connection is it needed to use a firewall program if you are using an ubuntu (linux) system??. In such a case is there a zone alarm for linux??

Answer 1

Not necessarily.

You can go to grc.com and take the ShieldsUp! security test there. The test tries to contact open ports on your computer.

When I tried the test on my Ubuntu Linux, BEFORE installing any kind of firewall, the test showed all ports to be "Closed", which is a good thing. This means that other computers can "see" that my computer exists on the net but they can't contact it's ports.

I installed the Firestarter firewall. It is available in the Synaptic package manager repositories, and is as easy - or maybe easier! - to use as ZoneAlarm (so Firestarter should be your "ZoneAlarm for Linux"). Then I went back to grc.com and took the test again. This time my computer ports were "Stealth", which means that other computers can't even "see" them!

Still, ShieldUp! test will give your Ubuntu the "Failed" value, because your computer still answers ping requests. But I think this is not a big deal, compared to the MS Windows habit of having all your ports wide open for anyone to come in!

So, Ubuntu has a decent security settings out-of-the-box. You can add the Firestarter to get extra peace of mind, but you could probably even go without it (I still opt to have it installed and running myself).

And of course you don't have to mind about all those Windows viruses :-) Unless you send files infected with Win viruses to your buddies with Win computers!

Answer 2

I'm not sure about Zone Alarm for Linux. Usually, it is design for Windows.

anyway, download a firewall here for  a firewall for Linux: http://www.fs-security.com/