Security

[Advent Systems]

Cyber Source & Dave Andruczyk,
    Just want you guys to know I'm not some asshole because all the help 
re: small network and I did not reply or thank you sooner BUT none of 
that matters now.  You see  on the 1st I believe my system was cracked, 
broken into, whatever you want to call it.  I'm not sure because in 
15-18 years of using computers I haven't had as much as a virus 
(well,maybe 1-2).  All I know is the day before I was updating my system 
via apt-get and It kept getting "stuck" at some site in ca. called slug 
something.  I ......you know what, this is not the purpose of this 
email, If anyone wants all the particulars email me off the list.
    The Problem is this; 18 years of working on windows systems left me 
knowing how to harden them and my windows boxes were untouched.  With 
Linux (I'm a newbie), a 10 yr. old boy could attack my Linux box and 
did.  I've gotten so side tracked with just getting the system installed 
and usable I forget all about security.  I've been using SuSE and 
mandrake for a few years and I guess the combination of there 
pre-packaged click & go security, there manuals and Linux not being as 
popular, left me with a false sense of security.  Since switching to FC2 
I have NO idea.  Ive purchases a number of highly regarded Linux/Unix 
books and they explain how to secure NASA :) but nothing on how to 
harden a simple laptop.  Is the Red Hat-9 users guide the same as FC2?  
I cant find a straight answer.  By default, I got services running and 
ports open all over the place.  I've been closing and shutting them 
down, and it screws everything up and I have to re-install (like 5-10 
times).
    What are the BARE min. services and ports that need to be running 
and what do you FC2 guys do to keep the average jerk out of your systems 
(I know there nothing that can be done against a smart, concentrated attack)
    As far as the small network goes I cant even think about taking my 
machine off the windows network until I learn and understand Linux security.

Sorry this was so long but nothing like this ever happened to me before.
Thanks again,
Bob Randal