How to set up firewall

[johndepere]

Hello, I am new to Linux and am not a "computer guy" but enjoy trying new things on my spare computer. After testing multiple Linux distro's I have decided to make pclinux my operating system of choice after Windows xp. I have PcLinuxos 10 installed on a separate hdd and am dual booting it with Windows. My question is how do I set up the firewall? I naively thought I could just click on the firewall icon and I would be all set(ha ha). After searching this site for answers I realize that there is much more to it than that and am in need of some step by step help. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help given.  John

[7272andy]

Hi John,
You're not far off, Just click on the Icon and then untick Everything (no firewall).

Job Done 

If you are sharing files you may have to tick Windows File Sharing (SMB) or CUPS server to share printers etc. etc.

Regards
Andy

[djohnston]

I have PcLinuxos 10 installed on a separate hdd and am dual booting it with Windows. My question is how do I set up the firewall?

John,

Do you mean you installed PCLinuxOS 2010? Did you install from a 2010 iso or a 2011 iso? To be sure what you have, open a terminal and enter the following, then post the output.

cat /etc/version

[johndepere]

Andy,djohnson: Thanks for your quick reply. First off  the reply I got fom the output of the termanial query was "2110 1 PCLinuxos". I followed the steps outlined in Andy's reply prior to posting but was expecting some sort of indication that the firewall was indeed "on", I did not see anything indicating this which led me to believe I must be doing something wrong (is there a way to tell if the firewall is active? or do I just assume that once you set it up it will always be active?).  Tahnks again for your help.  John

[djohnston]

First off  the reply I got fom the output of the termanial query was "2110 1 PCLinuxos".

Still can't tell what version you have. 2110 is almost 100 years from now.

(is there a way to tell if the firewall is active? or do I just assume that once you set it up it will always be active?).

Go here and run the test.

[7272andy]

As djohnston says, that output makes no sense, I'm guessing you have a typo or two there.

Regarding the firewall, if you open a root terminal and enter shorewall status you'll get an indication of whether the firewall is up or not

Regards

[johndepere]

Sorry, it is a typo, it is indeed 2010 iso

[djohnston]

Sorry, it is a typo, it is indeed 2010 iso

John,

That's what I was afraid of. There have been a lot of changes since that iso came out. Unless you are a seasoned Linux user and a veteran PCLinuxOS user, you need to reinstall from a 2011 iso. Go here and pick your flavor. Download from the Get PCLinuxOS box in the upper right portion of the page. Otherwise, you are going to run into operational and updating problems, sooner if not later.

[johndepere]

Thanks for all the help. I am going to work on getting the 2011 Full Monty dvd and do a fresh install,It sounds like that will be the best option. Thanks again  John.