Building Linux and Openbsd Firewalls

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 384 pages
• Published by: John Wiley & Sons
• Edition: 1st Edition February 2, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0471353663
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471353669
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Product Review
Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls tackles considerably more than its title implies. For one thing, it's an introductory Internet security text that explains some of the methods attackers employ and how security strategies (including firewalls) can help thwart them.

Some of this coverage is very basic indeed ("What's an IP address?" and "What's a good Password" are two elementary sidebars), but that's in keeping with this series, which is intended for managers and others somewhat removed from detail work as well as for technicians. Still, the differences between OpenBSD and Linux boil down to a couple of key features, and you'll find yourself halfway through this book before you get to any how-to material on configuring a firewall. The configuration information is easy to follow: the authors explain which options to choose in the operating systems' respective installation routines and outline some supplementary procedures to follow afterward.

This book deserves kudos for treating OpenBSD with the same respect most books lavish over the trendier Linux, and the odds are good you'll learn a lot about it. You'll find the general security material valuable as well, particularly if you're new to the security game and need a primer on firewalls, demilitarized zones (DMZs), and the vulnerabilities of particular protocols and services. Still, this isn't the best practical guide around. Look at Linux Firewalls for detailed information on configuring IP chains under Linux, Maximum Linux Security for an all-purpose take on that system's security characteristics, and Firewalls and Internet Security: Repelling the Wily Hacker for further comprehensive security coverage. --David Wall

Topics covered: Internet security background, basics of firewall design and security policy, the relative merits of OpenBSD and Linux, and the configuration of bare-metal machines as firewalls under both operating systems. The authors use Red Hat Linux 6 and OpenBSD 2.5.

Book Description
A step-by-step guide to bulding a commercial-grade firewall with open source software

Building Linux and OpenBSD Firewalls

It's now more important than ever before to protect your data and computers from people trying to hack into your network. Without the proper security, the wrong human being can gain access to your system and read critical documents, change data, delete items, and much worse. With this book, you'll quickly learn how to protect your network from such attacks as you build a Linux or OpenBSD firewall. From determining how much security you'll need to configuring the firewall and monitoring your system, authors Tom Yates and Wes Sonnenreich clearly guide you through all the necessary steps to improve your security. * Updates for the most recent releases of OpenBSD and Red Hat
* Useful scripts and tools
* Sample firewall configurations
* Additional online resources

Reader Reviews
This book is awesome. It assumes no prior networking experience and walks you through networking basics as well as basic security issues such as Denial of Service, spoofing, etc. Chapters with complete step-by-step installation instructions for both Linux and OpenBSD Unix are included, so it's very easy for any beginner to build a firewall for their home (or office) network. Tell people that you've personally built your own firewall using OpenBSD and you'll be guaranteed an approving nod from even the cockiest alpha geek!