Possibly dumb question but as I've just got round to using the Linux I put on some months ago ,started looking for a firewall /avg etc .Anyone help /point me in right direction? Haven't heard of some of the ones a Google finds

There are some Internet Security but hardly anyone uses them due to the fact Linux rarely gets attacked/hacked.

Avira have one for Linux

Thanks Chris - that accounts for the lack of them -only AV I found was panda .Did find a firewall but it looked like registration was required (typical looking USA site ) -so I didn't go down that road .

What type of linux are you using? Most distos have no ports are open by default.

If the machine is connected via a router to the internet you don't really need a firewall imho. If you do however, try firestarter to config one to your needs.

As for an anti virus, clamav is free and useful for scanning any files that go back and forth from windows machines. AVG have got a free linux version too.

As said above, what disto are you using? A firewall is part of the linux kernel, so you don't need to install anything further. Depending upon the distro there's probably a config program in the 'control panel'.

Personally I wouldn't bother with AV software at all

I agree with the comments from Bogstandard and Tim. No need for AV unless your worried about passing on something, ClamAV is the best known open source linux program.

As for a firewall it depends on how you are going to be using the machine, if it's just at home and you have a firewall in the router leave it at that, otherwise have a look at the website for the distro your using at see what's already built in or available. I suppose the only other thing is to keep up with any security updates, but you should have a built in update manager to do that.

What distro are you using by the way?

Mandriva ,at home ,but via Virgin -so no router only their modem which (AFAIK) has nothing - unless anyone knows how to access

Mandrake Firewall Setup - Linux Forums

Personal Firewall Configuration for Fedora Mandrake & SuSe - www.reallylinux.com

Those might help you. As already said Firewall is part of the OS, so you don't need to add one.

Thanks cheezemonkhai - tried all sorts of google - nothing came up .

The classic free AV programs found on many Windows machines, AVG and Avast, are both available for Linux as well.

But as said, viruses seldom troubles Linux users. On my small eee thingy there's some kind of factory installed AV program (think i's some kind of ClamAV variety) that isn't permanently active, only scans on demand. I run it now and then to see if some e-mail attachment forgot in the trash is cought, but hitherto nothing.