Securing Your Linux Server

There’s a great post about securing your new linux server (ubuntu) here:

http://www.codelitt.com/blog/my-first-10-minutes-on-a-server-primer-for-securing-ubuntu/

I wanted to summarize here and explain some details.

1. To start, create a password for your user (root)
2. Make a new user for day to day logins (production)
3. Require ssh logins instead of username/password
4. Remove root login
5. Only allow login from specific IP (if using a static IP)
6. White list only the ports you need, disable everything else
7. Enable automatic updates

You should be all set! There’s of course more detail at the other page, but in general, these steps will ensure you have a decently secure system.

Now all you need to do is watch what you upload to the server!