Hi, finished installing Ubuntu last night, configured with dual boot so I can still use XP. Bearing in mind that prior to installing Ubuntu I've staunchly used Windows all my life so it's a learning process from here. Now I'd consider myself a power user with Windows but this Linux stuff is pretty different and 'cause Windows is all I've ever used, I'm used to tweaking and configuring it to keep it secure....loads!

Does Ubuntu require the same amount of tweaking to keep it secure etc and if so where exactly can I find DECENT info on doing this (Googled it a few times but I thought I'd ask Ubuntu users on SF for their opinion/perspective/issues learnt from [your] experience.

EDIT: Of particular interest to me atm is network security and how to optimise my graphics (I'm accustomed to having install drivers regularly :p) -though I've been told things in Linux do "just work" so mostly this isn't necessary(?).

What Graphics Card have you got? Have a look a the manufacturers site, eg Nvidia cards are suprisingly well supported.

Which is Ubuntu Gnome or KDE? Think its Gnome, Have a look at GNOME Lokkit should come with it.

Most things work under linux, modems are problematical (winmodems are virtually soundcards)

Is there any problem with using Guarddog on Ubuntu as it is for KDE, but I've been told Lokkit is fairly basic and it's most likely not what I'm looking for?

Is there any problem with using Guarddog on Ubuntu as it is for KDE, but I've been told Lokkit is fairly basic and it's most likely not what I'm looking for?

I just used my hardware firewall, when I tried Ubuntu.
I'm sure Ubuntu installs with no open ports, so strictly speaking it doesn't need one. A running service, like a web or mail server, creates an open port. No open ports means nothing to attack. I may be wrong, so check first.

If you have NVidia graphic card, you will have no problem with drivers.

Right, ok.

Is there any problem with using Guarddog on Ubuntu as it is for KDE, but I've been told Lokkit is fairly basic and it's most likely not what I'm looking for?

I use KDE, so not au fait with Gnome (used it once - too basic for my tastes) but yes you can use any linux package with any desktop environment. I just knew the name of lokkit;)

Yeah I've been reading up on KDE and Gnome GUI's and I've also seen both, I do prefer KDE, how would I switch, or even can I switch?

Ubuntu = gnome
Kubuntu = KDE

But you can download the packages and install KDE, dont know the k/ubuntus as I am a Mandrake / Mandriva user (have been since I got it free on a magazine disk nearly 10 years ago) try a dedicated ubuntu forum or have a look at their package manager.

https://help.ubuntu.com/6.10/ubuntu/about-ubuntu/C/ubuntu-desktop.html gives the link to the instructions to install KDE - I really better get some work done now;)

a nice firewall to use is firestarter (http://www.fs-security.com/) which methinks might just be installed (but hidden) when ubuntu is first put on the system, but i might be wrong, if its not there install it, dead easy to use (think zonealarm easy but with more control). it also has dhcp/static ip NAT wizzard built in.

the drivers were a bit of a culture shock to me when i went to linux, most are built in but like was said, the (proprietary) graphics drivers, can be a bit of a pain, thankfully with ubuntu all you should need to do (echo savanna if Nvidia) is install the nvidia-glx package and the nvidia-glx-settings (ignore used case) if my memory at this time of night still serves me.
ive never had a gfx card which isnt NVidia so cant comment on others.