My Basic VPS Guide [11.] – Basic iptables set-up [I.]

I think that the majority of Linux distro you could come across these days will be equipped with a 2.6 or later Linux kernel and thus iptables should be included by default. Older kernels do have a firewall solution as well, but it is called by a different name and I will not cover it in this short and basic guide as you should always try to use the latest stable and secure kernel.

While on a vitrual private server web hosting package you need to worry a little bit more as your web host [while on an unmanaged VPS] only gives you the VPS machine and everything else is your responsibility. If you are coming from a shared hosting environment than this is a big jump. On a shared platform your web host takes care about:

• monitoring
• security
• updates
• uptime
• etc.

This is very important to understand right at the beginning. Today I will try to give you some basic understanding of how to configure firewall and what is a firewall in Linux like. It is not an exhaustive article as security is not about setting up a firewall and forgetting about it…Security is about constant development and a set of defence lines and processes.

IPTABLES

A very good thing to do before starting to configure your very own iptables rules is to read a little bit about IPTABLES. This way you will know how to configure it and what options you can use. IPtables is a very powerfull tool to help you protect your system. I have to tell you one thing right here:

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As soon as you figure out your rules and apply them on your VPS do not log out or exit the SSH session. First of all try out your rules by opening another terminal window and try to SSH in to your VPS box!

IPtables resources

1. http://www.frozentux.net/documents/iptables-tutorial/
   • I would definitely start at this great web site. You can find here a very detailed and good written tutorial on how to configure iptables and how they work. It is a lot of reading but it can help you a lot in your configuration.
2. http://www.netfilter.org/documentation/index.html#documentation-howto
   • Another good resources is the Netfilter core team web site  which is behind iptables They do have a tutorial on their web site and you can download it to your local PC.
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldB8kDEtTZA
   • I have mentioned this Youtube link before and I do it once again as it is a good starting point for you if you like to watch videos and learn new stuff the easy way This is only the first video in a series of 3 vids and thus as soon as the first one ends just click on the 2nd part and you will continue
4. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=iptables+tutorial&aq=1
   • I will include this is link. it is only a search result, but maybe it will help you to get started on your very own search for wisdom
     
5. man iptables
   • I think a very good source for learning a lot more about iptables if you do not have the time to watch videos or you are on a terminal and do not have  a GUI available is to just read the MANUAL page of iptables Lots of information is right there without the need to download anything

Well, I have covered the very basics of iptables. Mainly this article was about giving you information on where to get even more information The next article will give you some basic commands and rules Have a nice day and see you next time at Icethunder.net!

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