Although Linux is one of the most secure operating systems you can get, it’s not perfect. Knowing the Linux essentials for cybersecurity can be essential to running a secure Linux-based server or desktop computer.
Linux Essentials For Cybersecurity covers a wide range of Linux security topics. In this book, you will learn about things like working with the command line, and how to edit files in Linux. Also, you will learn what Linux error messages mean and what to do when things go wrong. You will also learn how to make user accounts and account groups.
In this article, we will discuss some of the advantages of using Linux. We will also talk about how it’s different from windows, and we introduce you to the best Linux security book you can find.
What Exactly is Linux?
Almost all Linux distributions are free. This is because Linux is based on open-source software. So, users don’t have to pay for a copy of the operating system. The fact that it cost $0 is only one of many advantages of using Linux
Also, Linux can be freely and easily downloaded. With just one copy, you can legally install the operating system on as many computers as you would like.
The open-source nature of Linux lets users have access to the very source code used to create it. With this access, you can customize Linux and make it exactly the way that you want it. If you wanted, you could even create your own Linux distribution!
Another great thing about Linux is that it is easy to install. In most cases, it can be a lot easier to install Linux than Windows.
Linux is known to be extremely stable. The operating system rarely ever crashes. When it does, normally the entire system won’t go down. worry for Linux users.
Does Linux Have Built-In Security?
Yes. By design, Linux is a secure operating system compared to the alternatives. No operating system, or any piece of software for that matter, is entirely secure. Linux, however, is known to be a whole lot more reliable than other operating systems.
The reason behind this is not the security of Linux itself but the minority of viruses and malware that exist for the operating system. Viruses and malware are incredibly rare in Linux.
Even though Linux is, by design, very secure, there are still some things that you will want to do right after a clean install.
How to Setup Linux Security
After you log into the system for the first time, make sure to update the operating system. Even though you may have just installed it, you will still want to check for updates.
In the open-source software world, updates happen fast. Remember, anyone can see, edit, and redistribute Linux’s source code. So, unless you downloaded the operating system right before you installed it, your installation files are more than likely already out of date.
To do so, open up a terminal and type the following command:
sudo apt-get update && time sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
This command will work for Debian-based systems. If you are running Linux, then chances are you are running a Debian-based operating system. Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution and it’s based on Debian Linux.
After that, you want to make sure to enable the firewall. In Ubuntu, the firewall is disabled by default, and remember, Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution out there.
So, considering the fact that you are running Ubuntu, you should probably go ahead and enable Ubuntu’s firewall now. You can do so easily by using GUFW (Graphical Uncomplicated FireWall). GUFW can be installed by issuing this command in the terminal:
sudo apt-get install gufw
After that, you will want to configure the firewall. You can do that by navigating to System, then Administration, then Firewall in the panel or by typing this into the terminal:
system-config-firewall
As You Can See, This Can be a Little Complicated if You Are Unfamiliar With Linux Commands
One of the most important things you need to do is to disable the SSH root login. You can disable the Root user’s SSH access by opening /etc/ssh/sshd_config in a text editor.
Look for a line that has this in it:
#PermitRootLogin no
Then, remove the hashtag from the beginning of the line.
Finally, close this file and restart the SSH service You can do this by typing this command into the terminal:
/etc/init.d/sshd restart
Are you confused yet? If so, then you may want to learn a little more about Linux and how its security works.
The above is only a short list of the many things you can do to increase Linux security. There really is a lot more to it. Linux is far too complicated to cover in an article. There are, however, some great resources out there for those who are wanting to learn more about Linux cybersecurity.
Linux Essentials For Cybersecurity
There are a lot of resources on the internet to learn about Linux security. There one book in particular, however, is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about Linux cybersecurity.
‘Linux Essentials For Cybersecurity’ by William Rothwell and Denise Kinsey is comprehensive and covers all aspects of Linux security. It’s more than a security handbook, though.
The book really has a lot in it. If you read this book, you will learn about working on the command line, how to edit files, and what to do when things go wrong. You will also learn how to make user accounts and account groups.
The book spends a lot of time on networks and their configuration and various network services like web servers. You’ll also learn how to use Linux to connect to remote systems, develop a network security policy, and you will learn how to navigate the many Linux system tasks.
You will learn the inbs and outs of file and data storage, and essential linux functions such as automation and scripting. The book also demonstrates how to automate a few common tasks.
Security is this book’s focus, so of course, it pours over all the details regarding firewalls and intrusion detection
The Authors of Linux Essentials For Cybersecurity
William Rothwell
At the age of 14, William ‘Bo’ Rothwell had the fortunate chance of being able to use a TRS-80 Micro Computer System. This childhood moment was extremely profound for Rothwell.
He took the computer apart and proceeded to show his computer class how this ‘computer thing’ worked. Since William Rothwell had this experience, his passion for understanding just how computers work has only increased.
His love for sharing this knowledge with others resulted in a successful career in IT Training. His experience includes but is not limited to Unix, Linux, and programming languages like Python, Tcl, and BASH. Also, he founded the One Course Source, an IT training organization.
Denise Kinsey
Dr. Denise Kinsey had a career as a Unix administrator (HP-UX) in the late 90s. Back then, he realized the flexibility and power of the operating system. This saw her creation of several Linux-based academic courses. Dr Kinsey has a strong background in cybersecurity and is currently an assistant professor at the University of Houston.
Is Linux Good For Security?
Linux is arguably the most secure OS you can get. This is because it’s open-source, so bugs get found fixed quickly. Linux and Unix-based operating systems are much less exploitable.
But this does not mean that Linux is hack-proof. There are always ways to get into any system. It’s only a matter of time before exploits are discovered and utilized.
Do Hackers Use Linux?
Yes, Linux is a very popular operating system among the hacker community. One of the reasons for this is the fact that Linux is extremely customizable due to the Operating System’s open-source nature. Linux easy extremely flexible and can run on just about anything.
Bad guys make use of Linux-based hacking tools to exploit vulnerabilities in other networks, software, and databases. Linux hacking is often used to gain access to systems in order to steal data.
Because most residential users use Windows, Linux hackers often target that Operating System. It makes sense. If you are writing a piece of software, you are going to want to make sure it can run on as many devices as possible, malicious or not.
Does Linux Need an Antivirus?
No. Linux doesn’t need an antivirus because very little Linux malware even exists. Linux is not a major target for hackers because most people use windows. For this, and several other reasons, using an antivirus is completely unnecessary for desktop Linux users.
Linux Essentials For Cybersecurity covers when to install and not install security software.
Is Windows 10 Better Than Linux?
That depends on your definition of better. If security is the most important thing to you, then Linux is the best option. If program comparability, however, is more important to you, then you will want to go with Windows 10.