maximum linux security, 2nd ed.

[...]... “Physical Security.” Here, I’ll address the following questions: • What is Linux? • Where did Linux come from? • Can you use Linux as a standalone system? • Is Linux suitable as an intranet/Internet server? • What security features does Linux offer? What Is Linux? What is Linux? That depends on who you ask The short answer is this: Linux is a free, Unix-like, open-source, Internet-optimized, 32- or 64-bit... this book, you’ll need the following: • Linux (Craftworks, Debian, Delix DLD, Eagle Group, Eurielec, Kheops, Linux Universe, MNIS, OpenLinux, Red Hat, SuSE, SlackWare, Stampede Linux, TransAmeritech, TurboLinux, Yggdrasil, and so on) • A full installation, including standard TCP/IP clients and servers, GCC/EGCS, and Perl NOTE Examples are often either dependent on Linux or an application version For instance,... PART Linux Security Basics I IN THIS PART 1 Introducing Linux Security 2 Physical Security 3 Installation Issues 9 29 59 4 Basic Linux System Administration 95 Introducing Linux Security CHAPTER 1 10 Linux Security Basics PART I It’s an unbroken rule in the computer publishing industry: Books like this one must begin with a tour of the featured operating system If you’re sick to death of introductory Linux. .. in retail technical books Let’s look at an example Chapter 4, “Basic Linux System Administration,” will cover basic system administration tasks such as adding and deleting users One tool you can use for this purpose is linuxconf Linuxconf’s cluster provides a basic summary about the tool: linuxconf Application: linuxconf Required: linuxconf+support modules Config Files: self-maintained Similar Utilities:... break this down one step at a time Linux Is Free Linux s best-known characteristic is that it’s free However, free in this context has a dual meaning In one sense, Linux is free because you can obtain it for no cost For example, although many folks do, you needn’t buy a Linux book and CD-ROM just to get Linux Instead, if you have fast online access, you can download Linux from the Internet and install... LINUX SECURITY Linux is also free in other, more important ways One is that Linux offers you overwhelming technical freedom When you purchase Linux, you get more than just the operating system— you also get the source code Thus, if you don’t like how Linux works out-of-the-box, you can change it (And not just a little bit, either You can mold the entire operating system to suit your needs.) 11 12 Linux. .. enjoy Maximum Linux Security and find it useful Although the book is not exhaustive, it does cover essential Linux security tasks Also, the accompanying CD-ROM and many online references will provide you with indispensable tools and additional information sources These combined elements should put you well on your way to securing your Linux system Please mail your comments and criticisms to maxlinux@shadesofinsanity.com... compromised.) With Linux, you can examine the code yourself to see how system security is implemented This raises a hotly debated issue Linux critics insist that to reap the full benefits of Linux s technical freedom, you must cultivate a higher level of technical expertise than you would need when using consumer-oriented operating systems Is this true? Absolutely In fact, you’ll find that some Linux. .. computing So, establishing a secure Linux host will admittedly take time and effort But I have good news and a rebuttal to this Linux software development is increasing at an exponential rate, and, growing along with it is the software to administer Linux machines Figure 1.1 shows one of the more popular administration tools, Solucorp’s Linuxconf (http://www.solucorp.qc.ca/linuxconf/), which allows centralized... equal Depending on the version of Linux you’re installing, you might be getting a system more secure than traditional desktop operating systems, or a computer more open and exposed than Windows NT on its worst day With this revision, Maximum Linux Security continues its tradition of providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available Those new to Linux will enjoy the depth of coverage,