Audit Linux privileges now to limit compromise, escalation, and system-wide damage. Review Linux Privileges×
Server Security
security advisory patch management
security advisory patch management There are several reasons why Linux has such a good reputation and has become such a good standard across the world. It is the power behind most internet servers and cloud infrastructures as well as billions of Android devices. It is stable, has consistently high-performance levels, and remains very flexible. You don’t have to deal with expensive licenses, can view and share code, and can customize any part of the interface to suit your demands. In an age of data breaches and continuous...
Jul 27, 2026
Server Securitysecurity practices application security
security practices application security Accepting file uploads is basically inviting strangers to throw random objects through your front window and hoping your living room furniture catches them. Whether it's profile pictures, PDF invoices, or archive files, handling raw uploads means you're trusting external input to behave. . The file sitting on your disk isn't actually the threat. A malicious JPEG doesn't execute code just by existing in a directory. The real danger is the parser—the image library, the unmanaged C-based PDF...
Jul 27, 2026
Security Vulnerabilities email security Linux server
email security Linux server You've probably trained your team to look for red flags. Odd sender names, urgent language, mismatched links. But a well-crafted spoofed email won't trip any of those wires. It looks legitimate, sounds legitimate, and often comes from a domain that passes every automated check you throw at it. . Attackers know exactly how humans scan an inbox. They design around it. This guide walks you through the techniques attackers use to slip a spoofed email past both your filters and your users and what...
Jul 25, 2026
Security Vulnerabilities cisa kev vulnerability prioritization
cisa kev vulnerability prioritization Most Linux teams don't struggle to find vulnerabilities anymore. They struggle to decide which ones deserve attention first. Between daily scanner results, vendor advisories, and hundreds of new CVEs each month, the challenge isn't visibility—it's prioritization. . To solve this, organizations typically lean on the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) and CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. But these aren’t competing lists. They answer two entirely different questions. While the...
Jul 22, 2026
Desktop Securitysecurity advisory vulnerability
security advisory vulnerability GNOME is officially shortening its standard vulnerability disclosure window from 90 days to 30 days, a change that impacts upstream maintainers, downstream Linux distributions, and system administrators in how they handle software vulnerabilities. The policy shift, announced by long-time security coordinator Michael Catanzaro , addresses modern software patching realities and a growing influx of automated submissions. . Because GNOME is the default desktop environment on several major Linux...
Jul 21, 2026
Refine news
X Clear Filters
Get the latest News and Insights
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.
Community Poll
Are host-based firewalls still worth using?
Trending News
Loading...
Explore Latest Linux Security news
We found 2 articles for you...
209
security advisorynetwork securityrisk managementEnhance Linux Security With Eight Expert Strategies for Protection
As a Linux admin or an infosec professional, you understand how the security landscape changes due to evolving threats, newly discovered vulnerabilities, and more. With data breaches soaring into millions of dollars in losses and sullying reputations, making your Linux systems robust in this digital age is no longer just a best practice. It's a must. . In this post, we will walk you through eight of the best practices recommended by security experts to fortify your Linux defenses. Whether running a small cluster or enterprise-level infrastructure, these strategies will keep you ahead of possible risks. We'll cover everything from supply chain risk management to regular security audits to create a robust system. 1. Establish Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Plan You can't undermine the importance of a good Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management plan for your Linux system's security. The practice has gained much popularity over the last couple of years, and rightly so. Think about it: Everything in your Linux environment, from hardware to software, comes from a complex supply chain. Each link in this chain provides an avenue of potential security vulnerability. To minimize such risks, start by listing the different components of your Linux infrastructure: hardware, software, and even cloud services. With the appropriate listing in front of you, analyze each component's risk. Look deep into the vendors' reputation and their security practices. Have they secured products? Are there histories of addressing vulnerability promptly? Next, policies should be implemented to buy new components based on vendor preference, with good security practices and transparent supply chains. Do not forget guidelines for vetting open-source software, which often makes up the lion's share of Linux. 2. Limit and Track Root Account Access Root access is the most powerful level of access on the Linux system. Because it's so powerful, the results can be devastating if an account's access iscompromised. Therefore, access to root accounts should be limited and monitored accordingly. Implement the principle of least privilege, where a user is given the minimum access rights necessary to do the job. Instead of having root-level access, you should encourage using sudo, which grants short-term elevated privileges to perform only a specific task. It limits the time a user has root access and tracks what is done with the elevated privileges. Implement regular review and auditing of user accounts with root or admin-level privileges. Disable root access through secure shell protocol (SSH) to preclude attempts at remote login and use stringent authentications for root access. 3. Hardening Linux Kernel and Filesystems The Linux kernel is the centerpiece of your system, and securing it is vital to any form of protection from potential attacks. Hardening a kernel means setting it up to minimize vulnerabilities, disabling unused features, and using the strongest security policies. Configure your kernel to utilize many security choices. Disable all kernel modules and services not being used to limit the attack surface. Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Stack Smashing Protection (SSP) make attacks more complex for attackers to perform. Moreover, lock down your filesystems with access control. Use file permissions and ACLs to protect sensitive files and directories. Enable filesystem encryption to protect data at rest, especially on portable devices and cloud environments. Implementing Mandatory Access Control (MAC) systems like SELinux or AppArmor adds another layer of security by enforcing strict access controls based on defined policies. These tools help contain the damage in case of a breach by restricting the actions that compromised processes can perform. 4. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication for Critical Access Passwords alone no longer provide the required security to protect your Linux systems from unauthorized users. Enforcing Multi-FactorAuthentication at all your critical access points is essential with the increased number of phishing incidents and password breaches. MFA includes an additional layer of security by verifying the users through two or more factors before access is allowed. These could be something they know(like a password), something they have (such as a hardware token or smartphone), or something they are ( like a fingerprint or other biometric data). Consider SSH keys along with MFA for Linux systems. This makes life even more difficult for the attacker because even if they can obtain an SSH key, they still have to pass the MFA challenge. You should also enforce MFA on privileged accounts, such as those with root privileges or administrator access. This dramatically reduces the possibility of illegitimate performance by bad-actor insiders or external hackers. 5. Keep Your Linux Systems Up-to-Date and Patched One of the best ways to defend against known vulnerabilities is to update one's Linux systems with the latest security patches . Many attacks have exploited vulnerabilities whose patches vendors have already issued, but organizations have delayed applying, thereby exposing their systems. Establish a regular patch management process that enables one to outpace attackers. That means monitoring new vulnerabilities, testing the patches in a staging environment, and deploying them into production systems as fast as possible. Automated utilities like yum-cron, unattended upgrades, or third-party solutions simplify patch management. But don't be completely dependent on automation. Periodically check your systems to verify that patches are applied successfully. Also, keep in mind the updating and patching of third-party software and applications running on your Linux systems. Most vulnerabilities arise from unsupported or outdated applications, so everything must be up to date. 6. Implement Network Segmentation and Firewalls Network segmentation is the best way to reduce the surface attack on yourLinux systems. By segmenting your network, you limit the spread of an attack, minimizing the damage throughout a wider network. First, identify the critical assets and services in your Linux environment. Segment those varied components into a network with very tight control access. For example, sensitive data servers should be in a secure segment, accessible by only a specific class of devices or users. Deploy firewalls to control traffic between network segments and the outside world. Configure netfilter using either iptables or nftables to enable traffic to and from your Linux systems using rules within the firewall. Block all incoming traffic except for some trusted IP addresses or particular ports the support services may need. Also, consider using host-based firewalls on your Linux system. These firewalls can regulate traffic at each host level, offering more protection. 7. Monitoring and Logging System Activities Monitoring and logging are crucial components of any robust security for Linux systems. It allows you to monitor system activities and perform log analysis to identify suspicious behaviors or incidents that need a response. First, configure your Linux systems to log crucial events. Use tools like rsyslog or journald to collect logs from various services, applications, and network activity. The logs should be stored securely and for an appropriate retention period, as they can be crucial during forensic investigations. Implement centralized logging, which aggregates logs from various systems into one repository. This makes it easier for log analysis to correlate events across your network. To build powerful centralized logging, combine tools like Elasticsearch , Logstash , Kibana-ELK Stack , or Graylog. Configure high-level alerts for events, such as unsuccessful login attempts, unauthorized access to critical files, and a change in the system configuration. Monitor the network for suspicious activities based on network traffic with IDS such as Snort and Suricata . This proactive approach allows you to identify security incidents early and take appropriate action to mitigate them. 8. Train Your Team on Linux Security Best Practices Even with the best technical controls, human error can still pose enormous risks to your Linux systems. Because of that, it is essential to educate and train your team on the best Linux security practices. Start by conducting regular security training sessions for your IT and security staff. Focus on secure coding practices, incident response procedures, and the latest threat trends. Ensure your team knows the specific security measures you've implemented and their roles in maintaining a secure environment. Promote a security awareness culture in your company. This includes phishing , social engineering, and password management for non-specialist users. Developing such an environment will lower the potential for security incidents due to human mistakes or discretionary judgment. In addition to formal training, provide your employees with resources in the form of security documentation, instructions, and best practices. Keep them informed about recently discovered vulnerabilities, patches, and updates relevant to Linux. Our Final Thought on Boosting Linux System Security with Best Practices Securing Linux systems is not a fight you will likely win with one hand tied behind the back. It calls for a combined effort of technical controls, continuous monitoring, and human awareness. Organizations can significantly improve their Linux security by adopting these eight best practices from leading experts. From supply chain risk management to team training, each step is essential in protecting your systems against emerging cyber threats. Be vigilant, update your systems, and don't underestimate the importance of a robust recurity posture! . Keep your Linux system secure by applying software updates, managing user accounts, hardening SSH, and utilizing firewalls for enhanced safety. Linux System Security, BestPractices, Cyber Threats, IT Security, User Access Control. . Brittany Day
Aug 30, 2024
•
Security Trends
79
security insightspassword managementbest practicesSecurity Insights: Password Management Challenges in Finance
Years ago, I had the brilliant idea that all my users in the finance department should have complex passwords. This made perfect sense to everyone, since dealing with millions of dollars of revenue is something that should be secured. So, the passwords were changed with complexity requirements enforced. . I slept better that night knowing our paychecks were no longer secured by passwords like "mustang" or "mrwhiskers". I came in the next day only to find very complex passwords written on sticky notes and affixed to everyone's monitors. Security software is no match for a Sharpie marker and a Post-It. It was a lesson well learned. This month is our Security issue, and although we don't have an answer to the Sticky Notes of Doom, we do have some great articles on Linux-related security. The link for this article located at LinuxJournal is no longer available. . Linux Journal highlights vital user password management strategies in finance, emphasizing robust authentication, MFA, and password managers as key defenses against cyber threats. Password Management, User Access Control, Linux Security Insights. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Jan 03, 2013
•
Security Projects
74
security advisorynetwork securitydirectory managementStrategies for Securing Linux in Active Directory Environments
There's a downside to adding Linux or Unix servers to a Windows shop: These orphan machines lie outside the protective umbrella of the centralized user authentication and authorization controls of Microsoft Active Directory. The result? Multiple user identifications and logins, higher risk of errors and security loopholes, and of course, more work for system administrators. Adding security in a Linux and Window environment is an important step in the health of a users network. This article looks some ways to increase the security of an Linux Windows shared environment.. The link for this article located at searchenterpriselinux is no longer available. . The link for this article located at searchenterpriselinux is no longer available.. there's, downside, adding, linux, servers, windows, these, orphan, machines. . Bill Locke
Apr 09, 2008
•
Network Security
74
server managementssh securityuser access controlBoosting SSH Defense on Ubuntu Using Denyhosts Shielding
SSH is a great way to remotely administer a server. However, it still has a number of issues when you open it up to the world. The server and client communications are secure but that doesn. First things first, sshd_config. In Ubuntu this is usually found in /etc/ssh and can be used to configure a great number of features. The simplest ones to deal with are always the best. Restricting the users who can login via SSH is a first principle. This can be done in one of two ways, by user or by group. AllowGroups allows any user in this group authenticated access to the server via SSH. A more fine grained approach is to use the AllowUsers option. The link for this article located at ubuntugeek is no longer available. . Bolster your SSH settings using Fail2Ban to limit user login attempts and boost your server's protection.. SSH Configuration, Denyhosts Security, User Access Control, Server Management. . Bill Locke
Aug 28, 2007
•
Network Security
79
security technologiesidentity verificationauthentication methodsExploring Biometric Systems For Secure User Authentication
The word 'Biometry' basically comprises of two words : bio + metry. The word 'bio' refers to life or a living being and the word 'metry' refers to 'measurement'. So 'Biometric' can be summed up as: the science of measurement of physical attributes(unique) to a living being (for authentication /authorization.). . .. The word 'Biometry' basically comprises of two words : bio + metry. The word 'bio' refers to life or a living being and the word 'metry' refers to 'measurement'. So 'Biometric' can be summed up as: the science of measurement of physical attributes(unique) to a living being (for authentication /authorization.) These systems are one level up from traditional methods of authentication like passwords or security access cards because they ensure that the person trying to log on is actually the valid user and not just someone who is trying to impersonate an identity after he/she found an access card lying below your office desk or password written on a piece of paper as a reminder in case of a memory lapse. The link for this article located at linux.com is no longer available. . The word 'Biometry' basically comprises of two words : bio + metry. The word 'bio' refers to life or. 'biometry', basically, comprises, words, metry, 'bio', refers. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Sep 12, 2001
•
Security Projects
74
configurationsecurity best practicestrust managementComprehending Trust Management Within System Configuration Practices
Noel writes about some things that a System Administrator should consider about trust when configuring or maintaining a system. "One of the first things many of us think about is the trust we give to the users of our systems. . . . . Noel writes about some things that a System Administrator should consider about trust when configuring or maintaining a system. "One of the first things many of us think about is the trust we give to the users of our systems. Some of these users have special privileges so that they can perform their own jobs." A System Administrator has a strange relationship with the equipment they manage, with the people using their system and with the world outside their systems. They have to walk a fine line between making their systems unusable and leaving them unsecured or unreliable. To make things even more complicated the line is different for each and every situation. In this article I will overview some of the choices and decisions that a System Administrator must understand and make when building or maintaining their systems. The link for this article located at Rootprompt.org is no longer available. . In IT security, System Administrators are vital for protecting systems and data. Prioritizing trust is key through account integrity, user privilege management, and security audits. Trust Management,System Configuration,User Access Control. . Anthony Pell
Jun 19, 2000
•
Network Security
74
unauthorized accessuser access controlwarning bannerHow To Create Effective User Warning Banners For Compliance
Here is a good source for help in developing a Warning banner. "A requirement for successfully prosecuting those unauthorized users who improperly use a government computer is that the computer must have a warning banner displayed at all access . . .. Here is a good source for help in developing a Warning banner. "A requirement for successfully prosecuting those unauthorized users who improperly use a government computer is that the computer must have a warning banner displayed at all access points. That banner must warn authorized and unauthorized users." The link for this article located at CIAC Â Â -- is no longer available. . ⚠️ WARNING: Unauthorized Access Prohibited ⚠️ Only authorized users may access this system. By logging in, you agree to comply with relevant laws and policies governing use. User Access Control, Warning Banners, Security Compliance. . Anthony Pell
May 11, 2000
•
Network Security
Get the latest News and Insights
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.
Community Poll
Are host-based firewalls still worth using?
Trending News
Search Topics
Powered By
Linux Security - Your source for Top Linux News, Advisories, HOWTOs and Feature Releases
QUICK LINKS
subscribe to newsletters!
Like staying secure? So do we.
Sign up for updates, tips, and alerts!