Are AV & Firewall needed in Linux?

The distro is PCLinuxOS-2007. I'll connect with a serial ext US Robotics modem. So no router.

To be safe do I need an AV & a Firewall? And if so freeware suggestions please.

I'm a risky surfer. Warez sites, etc. (For research only.)

My VERY limited experience has shown me changes/settings/preferences made in user acct. are gone or don't take when rebooted.

So I'll probably logon as root all the time.

Just like I like I'm always ADMIN in XP.

Thanks.

No you don't need Antivirus.
Yes you need a firewall (Check to see it there is already one installed in PCLinux). Perhaps Firestarter?
To log in as root all the time is just looking for trouble, especially when dealing with warez. You'll be a target!

Right now I'm running Firestarter (Full Stealth!) & user acct. :01:

you have a firewall installed by default with linux. Its called iptables and is part of the kernel. firestarter is just a gui for it.

Thanks for the clarification. I like GUIs!