How do I setup HTTP Server ?

Question

Hello
I am new to Linux.. I have installed Oracle Enterprise Linux 4.x on my Dell Vostro 200 Series.
A) How can I enable HTTP server on my system, so that some of the directories can be accessed from any where ?
B) Similarly FTP protocol ? How do I do that ?
D) How can I enable security/ and what virus related software to be installed ?
Regards
PRasanna

Answer 1

These are very large topics, whether you are new to Linux or not. We cannot give you a one-line answer that will provide all the information you are going to need. The security issues with HTTP and FTP are common, and well known. Once you let the bad guys onto your system, it is your responsibility to ensure they cannot steal anything or do any damage.
That being said, the very first steps are:
1) Install the httpd RPM package from the distribution media:
# rpm -Uvh /path/to/httpd/rpm/package
# service httpd start
# chkconfig httpd on
Test it out by doing this:
$ firefox http://localhost/
put your content under /var/www/html/
2) Install the FTP daemon from the distribution media. I prefer the vsftp version:
# rpm -Uvh /path/to/vsftpd/rpm/package.
# service vsftpd start
# chkconfig vsftpd on
3) Virus? What's a virus?