Firewalls are a prime example of an opportunity to use a special-purpose Linux distribution. (Later
in this chapter you see how to build and run your own Coyote Linux firewall distribution, which
fits on a floppy disk.) Linux firewall distributions typically:
Are tuned to include primarily those components needed to be a firewall.
Contain scripts for easily configuring firewall settings.
Don??™t include X, which requires that you use the command line or a Web browser from
another machine on the network, allowing the distribution to fit in a much smaller space.
Include a few other tools for diagnosing network problems or serving the local network
in some way.
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Choosing and Installing a Linux Distribution Part III
For the average desktop user, however, graphical tools are available with Linux to set up a basic,
secure firewall without the user having to understand the syntax of iptables. Let??™s examine some of
those tools.
Protecting Desktops with Firewalls
If you are using a desktop Linux system, a simplified GUI firewall tool is a good way to begin protecting
your computer. At the very least, you can use your firewall to explicitly allow others to use
selected services from your computer, while blocking requests for other services.
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