Thread: Linux Security

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    Linux Security

    Hey guys. I have a spare computer that i will soon be outfitting with Mandrake 9.0, and another to be fitted with RedHat. The mandrake will be first, it is my learning linux box kind of deal. My main concern is to have as best security as i can on this box because it will be connected to the internet through my lan soon as i figure it all out.

    I know of a few sites and have done a few google searches, but i was hoping someone here has found a good step-by-step article on securing a linux box and could share it with me.

    thnx.

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    No.

    At the moment i am only on my XP box running Zone alarm, after shutting down every thing i could. Windows is never secure but im pretty good to go.

    Anyway, I havent even installed linux because i am having one hell of a time taking the iso i have and making a CD out of it that lets me install linux, is there an easy way to do this?

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    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    What do you mean? What burning program are you using?
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    i was trying to use nero but it kept bad burning em and i was getting ........ed. Then roxio was giving me crap so i quit on that. Im thinking of dloading Record Now Max or whatever it is.

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    Are you burning them as a disc image?

    About security on Linux. Just be sure you have the lastest packages from your distro, shutdown any unneeded services (sendmail for example), and you can also use iptables to accept only certain types of traffic.

    Try searching google for 'securing mandrake' and 'securing red hat'. I'm sure you'll find more how-to articles on getting into the nitty-gritty of securing your Linux box.
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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    I hadnt tried a specific distro search,good idea man thnx. Are there any programs i should download for linux to make life easier? I am going to get KDE i think....ive never even seen a screenshot of regular linux heh.

    As for the disc i think thats what im doing....what software did u use and how did u do it i will try that..

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    Easy CD Creator has an option under the File menu for Create from disc image or something along that nature. It will then just ask for the iso file and you point to it and tell it to Burn and it will go. I believe Nero has something pretty similar. You can't burn iso files as a regular data disc.

    If you install either KDE or GNOME then you'll get plenty of administration tools to make things easier.

    Here's two screenshots of my old work desktop with GNOME 2

    http://dbrink.phpwebhosting.com/screenshots/desktop.png
    http://dbrink.phpwebhosting.com/screenshots/Gnome.png
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    try and learn some iptables, a firewall like program.

    there are alot of programs that will give you agui to make a firewall for iptables too.

    then you have to deal with start up programs call daemons, the fewer the better. redhat (probally mandrake) like to have every daemon know to mankind on startup.


    kde does look alot better. 'regular linux' is like a dos prompt. alot of people are die hard gnome fans, i still dont get them(looks and api all go to kde, ive been told anyway).

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    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    Did you validate the checksum of the ISO?
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    One thing i noticed looking at secuirty was this:

    >>http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/adv...dis=9.0&type=0

    Can i get all these at once in one big file? or zip? How big would that zip be?

    Ok ill re-install Roxio and look into that. As for validating a checksum, all i did was dload Mandrake 9.0 from linuxiso.org at a buddies house and burn it to a CDR. I didnt dload the extras or anything i didnt(dont) have time cuz im on dialup : (

    One more thing, is a 650MB CDRW big enough to make use to make the boot/install disk? i doubt it since the iso is like 700 and sumthing but if not i need to get more CDR's...

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    Originally posted by mart_man00
    try and learn some iptables, a firewall like program.

    Firewall like program??? It IS a firewall and a dang good one at that

    I use GNOME because I just like it's look and feel and KDE just seems too much like XP to me. Everyone has their preference and you can only decide by trying different window managers and GUI environments.
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    C++ Developer XSquared's Avatar
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    One more thing, is a 650MB CDRW big enough to make use to make the boot/install disk? i doubt it since the iso is like 700 and sumthing but if not i need to get more CDR's...
    Umm... does 700MB fit onto a 650MB medium? No.
    Naturally I didn't feel inspired enough to read all the links for you, since I already slaved away for long hours under a blistering sun pressing the search button after typing four whole words! - Quzah

    You. Fetch me my copy of the Wall Street Journal. You two, fight to the death - Stewie

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    It IS a firewall and a dang good one at that
    lol, yeah it is. but not like a windows one that does all the work. norton is pretty good right after the install but iptables takes more work.

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    Redundantly Redundant RoD's Avatar
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    well after all the initial effort you put into Linux its a fairly easy o/s right? How often will i need to reinstall it, cuz with XP its every few months and it gets old ya know....

    Ok, can i split it between two RW's then?

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    linux normally doesnt have to be re-installed and less you screw with alot of stuff!!!

    i dont know if you can split the disk, but you can do a network/harddrive install.

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