How to Cheat at Securing Linux

Linux servers now account for 33% of all networks servers running worldwide (Source: IDC). The top 3 market share holders in the network server space (IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell) all use Linux as their standard operating system.

This book teaches Linux system administrators how to protect their servers from malicious threats.

As with any technologies, increased usage results in increased attention from malicious hackers. For years a myth existed that Windows was inherently less secure than Linux, because there were significantly more attacks against Windows machines than Linux. This was a fallacy. There were more attacks against Windows machines because there were simply so many more Windows machines to attack. Now, the numbers tell the exact opposite story. Linux servers account for 1/3 of all servers worldwide, but in 2005 there were 3 times as many high-severity security vulnerabilities discovered on Linux servers (Source: IDC).

This book covers Open Source security, implementing an intrusion detection system, unearthing Rootkits, defending against malware, creating Virtual Private Networks, and much more.

The Perfect Reference for the Multitasked SysAdmin
* Discover Why "Measure Twice, Cut Once" Applies to Securing Linux
* Complete Coverage of Hardening the Operating System, Implementing an Intrusion Detection System, and Defending Databases
* Short on Theory, History, and Technical Data that Is Not Helpful in Performing Your Job

Chapter 1: Introduction to Open Source Security
Chapter 2: Hardening the Operating System
Chapter 3: System Scanning and Probing
Chapter 4: Implementing an Intrusion Detection System
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting the Network with Sniffers
Chapter 6: Unearthing Rootkits
Chapter 7: Defending Against Malware
Chapter 8: Defending Databases
Chapter 9: Network Authentication and Encryption
Chapter 10: Avoiding Sniffing Attacks through Encryption
Chapter 11: Creating Virtual Private Networks
Chapter 12: Implementing and Maintaining a Firewall