Only the paranoid survive, and that is no less true when securing Linux® systems as any other. Fortunately, a host of security features are built into the kernel, are packaged with one of the many Linux distributions, or are available separately as open source applications. The first in a series, this article starts you on your way to understanding security concepts and potential threats, and sets the stage for what you really need to know: how to secure and harden a Linux-based installation.

In this series of three articles, you'll see how to plan, design, install, configure, and maintain systems running Linux in a secure way. In addition to a theoretical overview of security concepts, installation issues, and potential threats and their exploits, you'll also get practical advice on how to secure and harden a Linux-based system. We will discuss minimal installation, hardening a Linux installation, authorization/authentication, local and network security, attacks and how to protect against them, as well as data security, virus, and malware programs.

Mario Eberlein, Rene Auberger and Wolfram Andreas Richter at IBM deloperWorks.

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