Practical Linux Security Cookbook

Secure your Linux machines and keep them secured with the help of exciting recipesAbout This Book This book provides code-intensive discussions with detailed recipes that help you understand better and learn faster. More than 50 hands-on recipes to create and administer a secure Linux system locally as well as on a network Enhance file system security and local and remote user authentication by using various security tools and different versions of Linux for different tasksWho This Book Is ForPractical Linux Security Cookbook is intended for all those Linux users who already have knowledge of Linux File systems and administration. You should be familiar with basic Linux commands. Understanding Information security and its risks to a Linux system is also helpful in understanding the recipes more easily. However, even if you are unfamiliar with Information security, you will be able to easily follow and understand the recipes discussed. Since Linux Security Cookbook follows a practical approach, following the steps is very easy. What You Will Learn Learn about various vulnerabilities and exploits in relation to Linux systems Configure and build a secure kernel and test it Learn about file permissions and security and how to securely modify files Explore various ways to authenticate local users while monitoring their activities. Authenticate users remotely and securely copy files on remote systems Review various network security methods including firewalls using iptables and TCP Wrapper Explore various security tools including Port Sentry, Squid Proxy, Shorewall, and many more Understand Bash vulnerability/security and patch managementIn DetailWith the growing popularity of Linux, more and more administrators have started moving to the system to create networks or servers for any task. This also makes Linux the first choice for any attacker now. Due to the lack of information about security-related attacks, administrators now face issues in dealing with these attackers as quickly as possible. Learning about the different types of Linux security will help create a more secure Linux system. Whether you are new to Linux administration or experienced, this book will provide you with the skills to make systems more secure. With lots of step-by-step recipes, the book starts by introducing you to various threats to Linux systems. You then get to walk through customizing the Linux kernel and securing local files. Next you will move on to manage user authentication locally and remotely and also mitigate network attacks. Finally, you will learn to patch bash vulnerability and monitor system logs for security. With several screenshots in each example, the book will supply a great learning experience and help you create more secure Linux systems. Style and approachAn easy-to-follow cookbook with step-by-step practical recipes covering the various Linux security administration tasks. Each recipe has screenshots, wherever needed, to make understanding more easy.

Cover; Copyright; Credits; About the Author; About the Reviewer; www.PacktPub.com; Table of Contents; Preface; Chapter 1: Linux Security Problems; Introduction; The security policy of Linux; Configuring password protection; Configuring server security; Security controls; Conducting integrity checks of the installation medium by using checksum; Using the LUKS disk encryption; Making use of sudoers -- configuring sudo access; Scanning hosts with Nmap; Gaining a root on a vulnerable Linux system; Chapter 2: Configuring a Secure and Optimized Kernel; Introduction.

Requirements for building and using a kernelCreating a USB boot media; Retrieving a kernel source; Configuring and building a kernel; Installing and booting from a kernel; Testing and debugging a kernel; Configuring a console for debugging using Netconsole; Debugging a kernel on boot; Chapter 3: Local Filesystem Security; Viewing files and directory details using the ls command; Changing file permissions using the chmod command; Implementing access control list (ACL); File handling using the mv command (moving and renaming); Install and configure a basic LDAP server on Ubuntu.

Chapter 4: Local Authentication in LinuxUser a…