Security built in distribution

Hello, I ve seen on the internet some linux distributions that are
firewalls, web servers...like smoothwall, clark connect, IPCop,
adamantix....
Are these distribution really secure to make a firewall and run some web
servers?

flipper wrote:

> Hello, I ve seen on the internet some linux distributions that are
> firewalls, web servers...like smoothwall, clark connect, IPCop,
> adamantix....
> Are these distribution really secure to make a firewall and run some web
> servers?

Smoothwall is commercially supported (a variant is IPCop but
not commercial). You should go Smoothwall that if you
need the kind of bullet proof security and instant service.
Likewise ClarkConnect - it is commercially supported.

flipper wrote:

> Hello, I ve seen on the internet some linux distributions that are
> firewalls, web servers...like smoothwall, clark connect, IPCop,
> adamantix....
> Are these distribution really secure to make a firewall and run some web
> servers?

To be honest, unless you're a Linux newbie, I wouldn't bother with
Smoothwall. It's certainly easy to use, but it goes down the MS Windows
route of trying to hide the nitty-gritty from the user; and if you enjoy
playing with Linux, that's half the fun gone.

Bear in mind, too, that most of the tools on the security-focused distros
are freely available anyway: there's nothing to stop you installing them on
your favourite general-purpose distro. Admitidly this is quite a bit more
work, but in the end it is more rewarding.

Cheers,

Pete

--
"Linux Network Security", the ultimate book on protecting your network from
intruders. http://www.charlesriver.com/Books
BookDetail.aspx?productID=99214

> > Hello, I ve seen on the internet some linux distributions that are
> > firewalls, web servers...like smoothwall, clark connect, IPCop,
> > adamantix....
> > Are these distribution really secure to make a firewall and run some web
> > servers?
>
> Smoothwall is commercially supported (a variant is IPCop but
> not commercial).

Smoothwall is commercially supported AND also available open source.

flipper wrote:
> Hello, I ve seen on the internet some linux distributions that are
> firewalls, web servers...like smoothwall, clark connect, IPCop,
> adamantix....
> Are these distribution really secure to make a firewall and run some web
> servers?

If you really want a distribution that's security oriented and
can run services and a firewall you should take a look at
Astaro. It's not expensive and very secure.

Regards.

--

Jose Maria Lopez Hernandez
Director Tecnico de bgSEC
(E-Mail Removed)
bgSEC Seguridad y Consultoria de Sistemas Informaticos
http://www.bgsec.com
ESPAÑA

The only people for me are the mad ones -- the ones who are mad to live,
mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time,
the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn
like fabulous yellow Roman candles.
-- Jack Kerouac, "On the Road"