this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yes, because you can forget what services are running and maybe they can be explited.

An example can be Syncthing which setting are done via web browser at port 8384. If you do not have a firewall, everyone on the same network would be able to change Syncthing settings and then sync your directories to their devices.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is syncthing listening on all addresses, or only loopback? A firewall would block it, sure, but that would also be bad design.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Syncthing only listens on loopback by default unless you modify the config.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Good point, but syncthing only listens on localhost as others have said too.
However it still is a network service that can have vulnerabilities, besides many others like KDE Connect (which may be a target as one of its purposes is remote control and monitoring) or a bittorrent client