I have Mandrake 9.1 with security [gui] set to higher.
Shorewall is running and has its default config.

A Port test at Shields Up www.grc.com suggests what I would expect. Its a web server with ftp and Shields Up reports that port 21 and 80 are open. Port 443 is also open but limited to specific static IP [my home!]

Its sitting behind a sonic firewall on a Lan. There is no samba running and no netbios broadcasting.

Question:
Is shields up a reliable test of security?
What other test are there for newbies to run that don't involve 3 days with a linux manual and command line?

best wishes,
slipsy

Scan you box from scan.sygate.com; this is similar to the scan from grc.com. Also download nmap and scan both locally (127.0.0.1) as well as remotely if you can.