Linux Community Magazine

Recently, the Linux core code the server met invasion, someone began to doubt whether Linux system security, how should we look at this issue? Yesterday was the climax of the global SFD activities, said is Linux well. A good word and do not need to negative what responsibility, about even. But, for the actual workers is concerned, things will be different, not to say that the play. The industry has a as the saying goes, "by being as secure as users have the ability to secure '", the effect that, only in its users have system ability to make its security circumstances can say safe (system). That is, the security of the system and its users maintain the security of a system that there is a close relationship between ability. So, Linux system is safe? In fact, Linux is different from the Windows operating system from a personal, began to create, Linux is imitate Unix multitasking operating system and "cloning" (" Clone ") out, considered the system's security problems. That i s, as long as Linux users to diligent diligently () the security of the system maintenance (that is, do not need any special intelligence, and only need step-by-step honest operation), from the system of inheritance speaking, Linux system is relatively safe operating system (i.e. Linux is inherently being secure by users to diligent he would hold in keeping monitors have systems). Linux system is big is small, the enterprise Linux application system is compared commonly big, the system is very complex, management needs special persons. But since the launch of the type, read only U dish inside Linux system even "small system", no special persons to "management", allow users to use, without concern for the safety of the system, the more don't have to worry about Linux system itself there are holes, the back door or Trojan or something. The U.S. defense department knowing this. There is one thing that needs to explain the past 20 years, the development of Linux, Linux kernel ha ve shown that the process scheduling (or algorithm), as the math "abstract process", in logic is perfect in the world today, most of the super computer are Linux computer is a "proof". Since the launch of small U dish what're not. But, generally people with no fundamental grassroots daily operation directly on the super computer use, since the launch of U plate (surfing the Internet) that is enough. Be true, since the launch of U plate is actually very simple, and is read only type (read), users have to-not to modify one of the system software, it also won't remain super viruses, Trojan horses or the back door. In a sense, since the launch of U disk as simple as possible, the best only a bachelor's browser, user task processing in the Internet specific "cloud" inside, so, since the launch of U plate and can U dish called "cloud". In short, as long as the Internet "cloud", to guarantee the safety of "cloud U disk" user can be at ease use since the launch of U disk, horizontal chuang world and invincible. 1: this article that the central meaning is in Internet based on Linux platform "cloud" is easy maintenance, security is "relative" guaranteed, therefore, thin type "cloud U disk" user is safe. People want to thank those who do not well-known "cloud computing" security administrator of the day and night, and it was their work hard day and night guards the "cloud U plate" user's information security. Thin type read-only "cloud U disk" users, you can be at ease use! For me, from fat type (fat) since the launch of U plate to thin type (an) since the launch of U disk is a kind of progress, this is undeniable. For months that 17,, the company in shenzhen's hosting of the gentiles SFD activity, send out a batch of thin type since the launch of "cloud U dish", this is a historic breakthrough.

Recently, the Linux core code the server met invasion, someone began to doubt whether Linux system security, how should we look at this issue?

Yesterday was the climax of the global SFD activities, said is Linux well. A good word and do not need to negative what responsibility, about even. But, for the actual workers is concerned, things will be different, not to say that the play. The industry has a as the saying goes, "by being as secure as users have the ability to secure '", the effect that, only in its users have system ability to make its security circumstances can say safe (system). That is, the security of the system and its users maintain the security of a system that there is a close relationship between ability. So, Linux system is safe?

In fact, Linux is different from the Windows operating system from a personal, began to create, Linux is imitate Unix multitasking operating system and "cloning" (" Clone ") out, considered the system's security problems. That is, as long as Linux users to diligent diligently () the security of the system maintenance (that is, do not need any special intelligence, and only need step-by-step honest operation), from the system of inheritance speaking, Linux system is relatively safe operating system (i.e. Linux is inherently being secure by users to diligent he would hold in keeping monitors have systems).

Linux system is big is small, the enterprise Linux application system is compared commonly big, the system is very complex, management needs special persons. But since the launch of the type, read only U dish inside Linux system even "small system", no special persons to "management", allow users to use, without concern for the safety of the system, the more don't have to worry about Linux system itself there are holes, the back door or Trojan or something. The U.S. defense department knowing this.

There is one thing that needs to explain the past 20 years, the development of Linux, Linux kernel have shown that the process scheduling (or algorithm), as the math "abstract process", in logic is perfect in the world today, most of the super computer are Linux computer is a "proof". Since the launch of small U dish what're not. But, generally people with no fundamental grassroots daily operation directly on the super computer use, since the launch of U plate (surfing the Internet) that is enough.

Be true, since the launch of U plate is actually very simple, and is read only type (read), users have to-not to modify one of the system software, it also won't remain super viruses, Trojan horses or the back door. In a sense, since the launch of U disk as simple as possible, the best only a bachelor's browser, user task processing in the Internet specific "cloud" inside, so, since the launch of U plate and can U dish called "cloud".

In short, as long as the Internet "cloud", to guarantee the safety of "cloud U disk" user can be at ease use since the launch of U disk, horizontal chuang world and invincible.

1: this article that the central meaning is in Internet based on Linux platform "cloud" is easy maintenance, security is "relative" guaranteed, therefore, thin type "cloud U disk" user is safe. People want to thank those who do not well-known "cloud computing" security administrator of the day and night, and it was their work hard day and night guards the "cloud U plate" user's information security. Thin type read-only "cloud U disk" users, you can be at ease use! For me, from fat type (fat) since the launch of U plate to thin type (an) since the launch of U disk is a kind of progress, this is undeniable.

For months that 17,, the company in shenzhen's hosting of the gentiles SFD activity, send out a batch of thin type since the launch of "cloud U dish", this is a historic breakthrough.

Are you tired with your Windows operating system? Is the OS infected by viruses and there are security issues as well? Well, you are not alone; there are many Windows users who are not satisfied with this system. Microsoft Windows might be the most popular operating system in the market but there are a number of flaws. On the other hand, Linux, a less popular operating system, is much better in terms offering hassle-free computing experience. To get Windows OS you need to pay a hefty amount while Linux is absolutely free. In this article you will find why Linux is a better choice than Microsoft Windows.

More of the complaints we get regarding Windows PC is about virus infection. You cannot use a Windows machine without antivirus or anti-malware. Even after having these programs installed there is still the risk of getting infected. Sometimes, viruses and malware even get past the best solutions. On the other hand, with Linux, you don't need to worry at all about this. Your PC will hardly get infected with viruses with this system.

Windows PC users also experience mysterious slowdowns. The reason behind this shut down could be diverse. It might be due to viruses, malware, fragmentation, or any other operating system issues. You will never experience these types of abnormal behavior from on a Linux computer. Not only the operating system but also you will hardly face mysterious application crashes with Linux.

Troubleshooting on Linux computer is very easy as you can go through the /var/log to find out what is ailing your PC. If you are not well familiar with the command line, you can install a GUI. This will allow you to scan through the log files and check for the issues and fix it. You can also run a backtrace to get all of the debugging information for the applications that you are facing problem with. Then you can fix the issues on your own or contact an Operating system support provider for Linux support.

Another most important thing is resource. To run a Windows 7 desktop your computer must have minimum 1 GB of RAM. Anything less than that makes your computer appear like it is working on slow motion. With Linux operating system you will never face this type of problem. Linux requires very less amount of hardware resources. This OS make the use of RAM to cache files until the cached files goes above the amount of RAM available on the computer. On the other hand, Windows 7 OS uses memory for cache only for the cases if there is no other demand for said memory.

These are some notable features of Linux operating system which make them stand at much better position than Windows OS in terms of safe and secure computing.

Linux computers are put out like any other technical device to possible abuse. While the abuse is not to be avoided by an attacker with direct access to the hardware, abusive accesses to the software can be avoided as much as possible. Accesses to the hardware are able only by the prevention of a direct access as the encircling are avoided in cupboards and shown EDP rooms with admission restriction and lockable cases.

The correspondence of the physical restriction of the access by a wall (of a case or building) corresponds the firewall (fire prevention wall) on software page. A firewall guards a Linux computer against attacks from the network. Linux computers without network access need no firewall.

Protection for your computer

Linux computers are sure from themselves relatively, because the design principle of computers of the Unix family was and is to connect only the inalienable and to permit.

Vandalism

Vandalism is directed against everything what is accessible to the attacker. The motivation of the attacker is often a play desire, curiosity or malicious pleasure in the farthest sense, unfortunately, also increasingly extortion. Behind resource abuse stand mostly economic interests or an ideology. With the resource abuse one or some features of a computer are used straight

Vandalism is directed against the effectiveness of a Linux computer. This can follow through damaging the software or through impediment of the network access.

For the damage of the software on the Linux computer the attacker must infiltrate either workable code on the Linux computer (Malicous code) or themselves a direct access on the Linux computer get (Hack). The infiltration of code often follows under exploitation of frequent, typical program mistakes of server programmes like the web servers or the ftp servers. An attacker can also get an unjustified access, while he guesses passwords or steals or program mistake in one of the programmes for the remote access like telnetd or sshd uses. Stealing is made easy for him particularly by programmes like telnet or ftp, because here the passwords uncoded over the network are transmitted and simple listening in (Sniffing) on the network betrays everything.

The impediment of the network access can follow through Denial-of-Service-Attacken. Besides, are set down - by himself legitimate - requirements for the Linux computer with so high frequency that no more capacity is available for the real assignments.

Resource abuse

Also a Linux computer can be used for unlawful actions. For the protection from pursuit it is tried to abuse the resources of computers of other owners for the unlawful purposes. This can be releasing of Denial-of-Service-Attacken against third as well as the saving of unlawful contents like pornography or pirated software and films and the mailing of spam mail. Spam mail is the mailing of e-mails of advertising content which are undesirable from the consignee. Spam has turned out as one of the biggest dangers for the effectiveness of the Internet.

Preventive measures

The first, easiest and most sure measure exists in switching off all of the services on a Linux computer which are not needed presently. If they are never needed, uninstalling should be also considered.

If a service is not required in full performance extent, the amount of the performances can be adapted generally about his configuration file. Still another with the clearly low performance extent which is enough for the claims is often available beside the installed service. This is valid in particular for web and ftp server.

Compilers are to be checked for her indispensability. They can be used to the production by Malicous code and should be removed - if not needed from the Linux computer.

Program mistakes in the server services and in the Kernel are supervised by special institutions (CERT = computer Emergency responses team). Their bulletins contain the mistake description and the remedy. The operating authority of a Linux computer directly linked with the Internet must read these bulletins regularly and obey the payments.

If offering of services is inalienable by a Linux computer on the Internet, the services must be protected after a careful installation and administration of the services against abuse with a firewall.

The average computer user just doesn't know enough about computers to compare operating systems to determine which will run most efficiently and provide the most security, so our only gauge for what works is simply what everyone else is using. We live in a world where Windows and Macintosh rule, therefore we don't even give Linux a second though. But we should! Linux is free, reliable and it runs extraordinarily well on old computers with little processing power. It just makes sense to use it, particularly if you work for a non-profit which relies on older, donated computers to operate.

Why You Might Want to Consider Using Linux

Linux is an operating system just like Microsoft Windows and MacOS on the Macintosh. Computer experts know it well and most of the Internet's infra-structure is managed by Linux computers. But most desktop computer users have never heard of it. There are a lot of benefits to using Linux:

* It is free. Windows costs money. So do MacOS upgrades. * It is easy to install.It is every bit as easy to install Linux as it is to install other software. Some Linux installers even allow you to run Linux off a CD, so that you can try it out on your computer without affecting anything else on the machine. * It is incredibly secure. Because Linux is open source, even if there were a widespread virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. With Windows, you have to wait for a patch from a single company all while having to pay extra for virus protection software. * It is extraordinarily reliable. While Windows computers might go a day or even a week before needing to restart, people often have Linux systems running for years without fear of the system crashing. * It is very efficient. Unlike Windows and Macintosh, Linux does not require big disk drive s, huge amounts of RAM, and a super fast processor. What this means is it can run incredibly well even on old, underpowered computers. So, while you may not be able to run the latest version of Windows on those donated computers, Linux will run easily and quickly. In fact, Linux is so efficient that it can pretend to be a Windows server more efficiently than Windows can be a Windows server.

What's Stopping You?

With all of these benefits, it just makes sense to use Linux! Some national governments and lots of universities have standardized on Linux for years, but the general public is a little more hesitant. So, what's stopping people? Here are some of the most common reasons (none of which really hold up):

It is complicated and uses all sorts of weird cryptic commands -- This is true if you install it without a graphical user interface (GUI), but that's completely your choice. Most desktop users would prefer to install Linux with a GUI since it makes it more user-friendly. In fact, you can customize the GUI to look much like Windows and Macintosh computers, so five minutes of orientation is all you will need to be fully productive.

Everyone else uses Windows -- Probably the biggest concern people have is that if they use Linux, they will have trouble sending and receiving emails and files to computers that use Windows because they are different operating systems, but that's simply not the case.

Because Email protocols are standardized, email from any computer (Windows, Macintosh, or Linux) works with email on any other. Files are no problem either, since Linux supports all the standard file formats.

Also, consider the fact that Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 are all different operating systems, all in common use, and far from compatible with each other.

There is no support -- This has never been true. The open source community supports Linux very well and if you need to talk to someone on the phone, you can buy support packages from lots of different companies. The most well-known of these is Red Hat.

Word and Excel don't run on Linux -- This is true, but OpenOffice does. OpenOffice is free and it does everything Microsoft Office does and more. At Sumac Research, although we use Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers, we use OpenOffice on all of them. It doesn't matter which computer you use, the documents work the same on each. OpenOffice can also open, edit and save Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents.