Hi. I wanted to know if it’s needed to install a firewall on a linux desktop/laptop. Why yes or why no?

    • Turun@feddit.de
      181·
      1 year ago

      If you allow the whole subnet you might as well not use a firewall. Your router has one and port forwarding is disabled by default.

              • Infernal_pizza@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1·
                1 year ago

                I set up a rule last night to allow SSH access from any device on my subnet, is it a good idea to add a separate rule blocking SSH from my router? I’ve already set up SSH with public key authentication so in theory there aren’t many devices that can access it but the firewall restriction seemed like a good idea

                • Turun@feddit.de
                  1·
                  1 year ago

                  If you are worried that an attacker may have compromised your router and that key auth is not secure enough, then yes it would make sense.

                  I move ssh to a non-default port, only allow key based auth and install fail2ban. This is enough for me. It protects against automated attacks hitting port 22 and prevents brute force.

                  • Infernal_pizza@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    1 year ago

                    I don’t think my router has been compromised and I think it’s pretty unlikely it will be, but the extra rule seems pretty trivial to set up so if there are no downsides I may as well! I have already changed the SSH port and disabled password login. I’ll look into fail2ban, might be worth it if it’s relatively simple to set up!

      • BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world
        21·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, I kind of agree. Unless this is a mobile device pretty much all traffic will come from within your subnet. I often deny incoming from my gateway (i.e. router) and poke holes as necessary.