I set up the firewall in the Mandriva Control Center & ticked web & ftp server. I couldn't use my browser. I then unticked them, & found that I could.

so does that mean I can no longer use the firewall? I use dial-up.


[moved from Software by spinynorman]

You should leave the web & ftp servers unchecked as you are not running servers on your machine - at least I assume not on dial-up.

The options presented are the exceptions you require for incoming traffic. If you leave all boxes unchecked including 'Everything (no firewall)', you should be OK.

You can test the firewall at www.auditmypc.com.

can anyone recommend any firewall software?

If you go through the procedure in the MCC, you'll have a very good firewall...

Have you tried what I suggested?

I turned it off in mcc, but it leaves me with no firewall, so how do I get one in mcc?

If you followed my instructions, you haven't switched it off! I know the presentation is confusing, but you've set up a standard firewall.

Go to www.auditmypc.com and check that it works.

no open ports found. thanks. but I don't know how to do Anonymous Surfing. does your IP adrress change?

For anonymous surfing you need to set yourself behind an anonymous proxy- there are thousands of them out there.
For REAL anonymity, just pull out the DSL cord - there is no other way to achieve it!