bittorrentp2pSecuritytransmission
I am a new Ubuntu user (using it since last 1 month). When I was with windows there were all these Internet Security Suites that protected the PC.
With Ubuntu there aren't any. I wanted to know if I download torrents, will someone be able to hack into my system?
Since all the peers can see my IP address, will they be able to break into my system?
I know the question sounds n00bish, but then I am a n00b.
PS: Ubuntu and Transmission are all up to date in my system.
In 12.04 and 13.04, deluge does include x-scheme-handler/magnet=deluge.desktop;
in the desktop file. In my case, transmission was still opening magnet links. I had to tell gvfs-open preferring deluge with:
gvfs-mime --set x-scheme-handler/magnet deluge.desktop
gvfs-mime was deprecated and 'gio mime' used instead:
gio mime x-scheme-handler/magnet deluge.desktop
From here they said it was reported as CVE-2012-4681 for Oracle Java 7 Update 6, and possibly other versions ,
It seems that it has not been reported or accounted for Ubuntu yet but can be seen reported for Debian as here for packages openjdk-6 and openjdk-7 , so i guess it applies here too.
If i am guessing it right ,same version exists for Ubuntu here
So please disable it , to be assured for safer side .
Edit (1-9-2012) It is now addressed by Ubuntu Security team as can be seen here . Security update for the package will soon be provided ,i guess.
Icetea-Web package includes the Plugin , which seems to have not being affected as here.
You can click the Ubuntu link as above to see the packages in it .So i guess , you are safe to use it.
Best Answer
Nothing is hack-proof but you're safer than the average Windows PC.
I assume you are connecting via a router. In that case the router will probably block everything incoming except stuff on the bittorrent ports so unless they have an exploit in transmission (which would be specific to transmission) you are probably safe.
BTW consumer grade windows firewalls won't help you either in this situation. Since you are actually requesting bittorrent traffic, the firewalls aren't going to block it. Some of the smarter windows AV might detect and try to block them after they get in, or might flag some suspicious traffic patterns, but that's a different story ... :-)