The Seven Most Deadly Sins of Linux Security

Bio for Bob Toxen

Mr. Bob Toxen is author of Real World Linux Security Second Edition, 848pp (c) 2003, published by Prentice Hall PTR. He is a world-class expert on Linux and UNIX security and mixed-OS network security using Linux. His 29 years of UNIX/Linux experience includes being one of the developers of Berkeley UNIX and being one of the four creators of Silicon Graphics' UNIX. His Atlanta-based consulting practice focuses on network and computer security using low cost Linux solutions, including firewalls, VPNs, virus and spam filters, and more.
 
 Bob Toxen, CTO
 Fly-By-Day Consulting, Inc.
 bob@verysecurelinux.com (e-mail)
 770-662-8321
 http://www.verysecurelinux.com [Network & Linux/Unix Security Consulting]
 
 
 Abstract:
 Mr. Toxen will discuss the seven most deadly sins of Linux security and how to avoid them. Key points include:
 
 O Understanding the seven most deadly sins
 O How to protect against new unforseen vulnerabilities
 O The trade-offs between security and convenience
 O Password issues
 O Open network ports
 O Insecure and badly configured programs
 
Participants will learn how to decide what software to install while installing Linux and how to harden a Linux system after the installation to greatly reduce the likelihood of a break-in. This presentation is unique in that a few key techniques will be explained that allow any SysAdmin -- newbie or with decades of experience -- to harden a desktop, laptop, or server in an hour or two so that it will be orders of magnitude more difficult to compromise.