[AFNobody]

My list is similar but I do a UFW setup and move SSH to a non-standard port that is easy to remember (i.e. 12345) to reduce noise in my log files.

Is there any particular reason you left firewall setup off?

[Sir_Cmpwn]

I don't think firewall is terribly important. I know it's kind of against the grain, probably best to do it if you don't understand the consequences.