NB iptables ships with every linux distro, and there's a fairly simple default configuration on suse. The default firewall on Suse is very good--- not absolute, but very good. Its good to remember that the linux kernel is a networked kernel... and the early ipchains followed by the now popular iptables allows the user to control

On Monday 12 February 2007 17:48, J Sloan wrote: precisely which packets travel through the kernel, and precisely what the kernel is supposed to do with them. A linux system with iptables (properly configured) is the *very best* firewall you can get (with or without money). My laptop is running Suse 10.0 with the default firewall. I have tweaked it a bit but for the most part it is a default configuration... I close the ports I'm not using, monitor my logs, and have had not one ounce of trouble... I frequent coffee shops, the public library, the college campus network, and two or three private wifi shops--- no problems. Its a little like putting a steering wheel lock on your truck... sure the crooks can saw it off... given time... but they don't and why???? because there are plenty of trucks with no lock!! Same with a firewall... nobody is going to try to crack your laptop at the coffee shop locked down with an iptables firewall and closed ports... and why??? because there are plenty of unprotected windblows machines unlocked and ripe for the pickin. :-))) -- Kind regards, M Harris <>< -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org