Essential Linux Security Hardening Steps

Security hardening is crucial for protecting Linux systems. Here are essential steps to improve your system’s security posture.

1. User Account Security

• Use strong password policies
• Implement sudo with minimal privileges
• Regular audit of user accounts

2. Network Security

# Enable and configure UFW
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw enable

3. File System Security

# Set secure permissions on critical files
sudo chmod 600 /etc/shadow
sudo chmod 644 /etc/passwd

4. Service Hardening

• Disable unnecessary services
• Use secure protocols (SSH, HTTPS)
• Regular security updates

Stay tuned for detailed guides on each of these topics.