If you installed Firestarter from a binary package like RPM or DEB, there will be an Firestarter program entry in the GNOME applications menu, under the Internet folder. If you do not have this entry, execute the firestarter command either from a terminal or the GNOME Run menu (Actions -> Run, or Alt-F2).
When you start Firestarter, depending on your distribution and installation method, the system may ask you for the root password interactively. See the Installation Instructions - Compiling from source for more details.
If the root password prompt does not work you must start Firestarter as root manually. This usually involves starting up a terminal, using the su - command to change to root and then running firestarter on the command line.
The first time you start Firestarter the Firewall Wizard will launch.
Press the Forward button to continue.
The following screen is for configuring the external device. The external device is the network interface connected to the Internet.
If you do not have multiple network cards, modems or VPN setups, it is safe to go with the default suggested value.
Cable, DSL or LAN connected users should enable the DHCP detection option.
There are a lot of options in the wizard which you can get more familiar with later. For your first time however you can simply keep pressing the Forward button until the Wizard is completed.
Congratulations, you now have a basic firewall! Easy, wasn't it?
The main interface how now presented itself, and you're free to explore the main functions of the program and start modifying the firewall. Or just sit back and relax and watch the firewall hits start piling up in the interface.
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