Linux 101: Configuring and managing iptables for better network security

This document describes how important good iptables management is to tight security in a Linux networking environment.

Strong network security is a something we all strive for no matter which operating system we are currently using. For Linux users, this means a firewall and the configuration of iptables. This Linux 101 download walks you through a basic secure configuration of the default Linux iptables. It's always a good idea to have a decent iptables configuration in place on a given machine, regardless of outside firewalls you may have. Each individual machine, depending on its uses, might have different packet filtering needs. An example iptables template is provided and each line is analyzed to explain how the file works in a Linux environment.

When you installed you last Linux distro, did you re-configure the iptables? Don't you think, after reading this document, that you should do that?

To find other Linux 101 downloads and articles in the series use the Linux 101 tag.This download is also available as a TechRepublic article.