A topic of concern in Linux

[Dawes, Stephen]

Yes, but if the cracker is trying to invade the system from the outside,
it doesn't matter if you are a big corporation or a home Linux network,
the userid is root, and the password is what the cracking software is
trying to brake. Now, if you set up the system to:
A. never allow login as root from the outside;
B. Change the userid root userid and group and everything associated
with it to something other then root;
you increase the security to the next level, and then the user verses
root thing applies.

One point that I forgot to mention about password security that can help
in decreasing the likelihood of it being infiltrated, is to change it
regularly. All OS's allow for a password timeout function, and when this
feature is used, you are automatically reminded to change your password.


OS security is a big thing throughout industry, and industry spends a
large amount of money on it. All I know that I can do on my part, is use
the guidelines set out by my employer on my home based system, and hope
that I have made my system secure enough. 

Simply put:
Just like locks, passwords, keep the honest out.

Steve Dawes
Phone: (403) 268-5527
Email: SDawes at calgary.ca


NOTICE::
This communication is intended ONLY for the use of the person or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient named above or a person responsible for delivering messages or communications to the intended recipient, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that any use, distribution, or copying of this communication or any of the information contained in it is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and then destroy or delete this communication, or return it to us by mail if requested by us. The City of Calgary thanks you for your attention and cooperation.