Sandy Drobic said the following on 01/27/2009 06:52 AM:

Jay Mistry wrote:

...

I use openSUSE 11.1 Linux (dual-boot with Win XP Prof.) for general home use (browse Internet, documents, occasional music/video view, etc). For this type of use, are either/both of these required: I have an always-on cable Internet connection (broadband).

1) A Firewall (default App Armour is enabled)

2) Anti-virus (opSUSE 11.1 has clam antivirus)

Should one leave them on & update as necessary or is it safe to browse without them enabled ?

Exploits exist for all browsers, so if you are using your machine to surf the internet it is recommended to have a virus scanner installed and the firewall active.

Does ClamAV scan the HTTP stream? I thought it was an e-mail scanner.

The same goes for documents like pdf files.

Are you talking about scanning the file system rather than incoming data steam? If you are viewing PDFs at remote sites via an embedded tool in your browser then you need either a stream scanner or something built into the browser. Does ClamAV do this? I was under the impression it didn't. -- There are three simple rules for making a smooth landing. Unfortunately, no pilot knows what they are. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Jay Mistry wrote:

This is a single-user home desktop PC, for basic computing tasks. I connect to the Internet through a cable connection via a wireless router. Will this work as a firewall ?

Yes. -- Use OpenOffice.org http://www.openoffice.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Larry Stotler wrote:

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 12:38 PM, James Knott wrote:

...

I have a separate firewall, so I don't enable it on my other computers. The main purpose for AV on Linux is when it's used a server for Windows boxes. Viruses are not an issue for Linux.

Agreed. Almost all routers have a firewall built-in so it's kinda pointless to have a firewall running on a desktop behind one. On a laptop, that's a different story. I always disable the firewall on my desktops.

There's a small chance if there's an infected windows machine on the network (or even let a friend with an infected machine to join your wifi) that exposes your desktop to a risk. Again - small chance, but ... Cheers -- Svetoslav Milenov (Sunny) Even the most advanced equipment in the hands of the ignorant is just a pile of scrap. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Sunny wrote:

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Larry Stotler wrote:

...

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 12:38 PM, James Knott wrote:

...

I have a separate firewall, so I don't enable it on my other computers. The main purpose for AV on Linux is when it's used a server for Windows boxes. Viruses are not an issue for Linux.

Agreed. Almost all routers have a firewall built-in so it's kinda pointless to have a firewall running on a desktop behind one. On a laptop, that's a different story. I always disable the firewall on my desktops.

There's a small chance if there's an infected windows machine on the network (or even let a friend with an infected machine to join your wifi) that exposes your desktop to a risk. Again - small chance, but

Given there are no Windows machines, infected or otherwise, that's not an issue here. -- Use OpenOffice.org http://www.openoffice.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org

Larry Stotler wrote:

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 12:38 PM, James Knott wrote:

...

I have a separate firewall, so I don't enable it on my other computers. The main purpose for AV on Linux is when it's used a server for Windows boxes. Viruses are not an issue for Linux.

Agreed. Almost all routers have a firewall built-in so it's kinda pointless to have a firewall running on a desktop behind one. On a laptop, that's a different story. I always disable the firewall on my desktops.

My firewall is an old computer, running OpenSUSE 11.0. -- Use OpenOffice.org http://www.openoffice.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org