Linux All-In-One For Dummies, 7th Edition

Chapter 2

Securing Linux

IN THIS CHAPTER

Securing passwords on Linux systems

Protecting the system’s files and directories

Using GnuPG to encrypt and sign files

Monitoring the security of your system

Hardening Internet services

Using Secure Shell for secure remote logins

Setting up simple firewalls and enabling packet filtering

To secure your Linux system, you have to pay attention to both host security and network security. The distinction between the two types of security is somewhat arbitrary, because securing the network involves securing the applications on the host that relate to which Internet services your system offers.

This chapter first examines host security and then explains how you can secure network services (mostly by not offering unnecessary services), how you can ...