Security with your Linux server

Linux is considered to be one of the most secure operating systems around. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses.

Increased security capabilities are offered by Linux servers, and the operating system is increasingly viewed as a potential way to reduce organisational IT expenditure.

Open source is more rigorously reviewed, making it more secure. Security must be implemented well at the source code level, as open source software cannot rely on obscurity for security because the source code is transparent.

The open source project has a very strong community, with many sharp individuals contributing to reviewing the source code so it is more secure.

Standardising your Linux distribution in order to reduce risk

To realise the security advantage of a Linux server, you need to standardise your organisation on a single, trusted Linux distribution.

A better in-house familiarity with the operating system and its vendor can be built by having ‘fewer’ flavours of Linux. Standardising your security practices and policies for the distribution you have chosen can be concentrated on more.

You can more appropriately invest in securing each of the services and applications you intend to host on that platform, with standardised practice for security of the platform.

Patching for protection

In order to avoid hackers, it is important to stay ahead with patches and updates. Windows tends to be a prime target for hackers because of the ubiquity as both a client and a server operating system. Linux servers are more secure due to their communal development process. Windows however is more successful, making Linux the lesser target to hackers.

Linux market share is rapidly on the increase, which may eventually make the operating system become scrutinised more closely for vulnerabilities. This therefore creates the possibility of it becoming more attractive to hackers, causing more attacks.

Organisations that have a strong patch management strategy quickly reap the benefits, as turnaround times for patches in Linux and other popular open source offerings are very rapid.

Network security and protocols

Linux servers tend to be superior to Windows servers due to continuing security issues with Microsoft IIS and Exchange/Outlook. Apache and Postfix are cross-platform applications, and tend to be more secure than corresponding Microsoft products.

Firewalls built into the kernel of Linux enhance the application security, along with Snort which is an excellent intrusion detection system.

Microsoft is taking strides to redesign the security of its products and provides patches for its installed base. Still, security issues in legacy Windows products persist which complicate this task. This leaves many Microsoft users exposed to security threats since patches must be well documented prior to deployment.

To see what UKFast dedicated Linux hosting can do for you call today 0800 4584545, and view example configurations by clicking the link.