* * * * All New Linux Forum FAQ * * * *

[Ned Slider]

How to keep your Linux box secure?

Originally Posted by Bonso

Never run as root

For starters never ever run the machine on the root account unless absolutely necessary and when you do, make sure you 'su -' to the root account. Should this not be possible then dissable all external access before logging on as root.

Keep your system up to date

Just as within the Windows world there are security holes in some of the the many parts that make a Linux system run and just as with Windows they are fixed with patches. So when your vendor offers a security patch its a good idea to install it. If you are worried about the patch breaking the system then check the patch documentation as it sometimes suggests a workaround for the security flaw. Most distributions now have an automated updating tool similar to the Windows Update tool in Windows.

Shut down unused services

Another thing to do is shut down any services that your machine doesn't use. If you have no intention of telneting into the machine there is not point in having the service running. If you would like to tinker with Apache, FTP or MySQL (or something else), don't allow external access to the services until they have been propperly configured and secured.

Some general security guides:

Even though these may seem distribution specific I think they are good all-round guides:

Gentoo security guide: http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/gentoo-security.xml
Redhat 9 security guide: http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...ecurity-guide/

Apache security
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1694

PHP security
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=04/08/05/203238
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1706

MySQL security
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1726
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=04/08/19/1422204

..

[Spankin Partier]

Gaming on Linux

Originally Posted by Spankin Partier

There are many games designed for Linux. Yet admittedly, if you've been a serious gamer with your PS2, X-Box, or Windows, you'll find most Linux games inadequate. What you are most likely wanting to do is to play your favorite Windows games on Linux. You have to remember this is like trying to get a PS2 game to work in an X-box. What's really needed here is more game manufactures to port their products to Linux like ID Software has with it's Doom line and Epic Games Inc. did with it's UnReal line. Due to their native support, these games work really well in Linux.

All is not lost for those who would still like to play their favorite Windows games. There are emulators that can play many Windows games in Linux.

WINE – WINE is an emulator that can be used for may Windows applications including some games. WINE does not have DirectX support so most 3D games will not work. WINE is OpenSource so it is included in most distribution’s package managers.

Cedega (WineX) – Cedege which is formally known as WineX is based on Wine but with the addition of DirectX support. This software is not free so you will have to contact Transgamming for pricing and downloading information. Cedega boast compatibility with hundreds of very popular games. Click here for game compatibility list.

What’s Needed
If you are planning on playing a native version of Doom or UnReal, you will need the following:

• Linux running X server.
• Gaming graphics card with 3D drivers. (I’d recommend an NVIDIA card due to the ease of setting up the drivers)
• Soundcard
• CPU, RAM, and Hard Drive space as required by the game you choose.

If you are playing a non-Linux native game, then you’ll have to add Cedega to the mix.

Is there a list of Native-Linux Games?
Yes there is. PC Perspective member Centered Effect has found this link which lists hundreds of GPL and non-GPL games which have all been writen/translated for Linux: Native Linux Games