Q I recently tried Ubuntu 7.10, but could find no mention of a firewall or means of configuring one. This was worrying because of the importance of this security software.

I attempted to find help on the internet, but I was astounded by the complexity of the technical answers supplied to other beginners. How can I stay protected?
Lynne Woodward

A A firewall can be quickly installed on Ubuntu using the Synaptic Package Manager. As new software is installed over the internet make sure that the computer is connected before starting.

Click on the System menu, Administration and then on Synaptic Package Manager. Enter your password when prompted. Click on the Settings menu and then on Repositories.

Click in the box labelled ‘Community maintained Open Source software (universe)’, so that a tick appears and then on the Close button. Click on the reload button in the toolbar and Ubuntu will download the new list of software.

Click on the Search button, then type firestarter and click on the Search button. One option should appear in the main window, Firestarter. Click on the box to the left of the title and select Mark for Installation.

Click on the Apply button and then on the Apply button in the Summary window that appears. The software will be downloaded and installed. Click on the Close button when it has finished.

To view and edit the firewall settings, click on the Applications menu, Internet and then Firestarter.

There is a help file supplied with the software and more information can be found on the Firestarter website.