Security configurations that are common in Linux distributions

Let’s get into some hands-on auditing. We will use a Debian distro to illustrate some of these commands and give you a feel for what to expect during an audit. You always want to research the type of distro an organization uses and then follow the commands and file structures used by that build. Ensuring the security of Linux systems requires careful configuration and hardening of various components. This section will cover common security configurations that should be audited and implemented across different Linux distributions to minimize vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.

Auditing SSH configurations

First up, let’s look at auditing and hardening the SSH configurations. SSH is a widely used protocol for remote access and administration of Linux systems. You can check all the items mentioned throughout this chapter in either the GUI or the terminal. I’ll alternate between examples...