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  • Linux System Safety: Threats

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    denny
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    Linux systems are generally safer than Windows systems, but still require vigilance from users. While viruses and malware are rare on Linux, rootkits or trojans could potentially exploit application vulnerabilities or trick users into granting elevated permissions. Overall system security depends on users observing basic rules like not automatically executing untrusted code, restricting software execution permissions, and protecting administrator accounts.

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    69.1_-_Linux_Safety

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    Linux systems are generally safer than Windows systems, but still require vigilance from users. While viruses and malware are rare on Linux, rootkits or trojans could potentially exploit application vulnerabilities or trick users into granting elevated permissions. Overall system security depends on users observing basic rules like not automatically executing untrusted code, restricting software execution permissions, and protecting administrator accounts.

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    10 views8 pages

    Linux System Safety: Threats

    Uploaded by

    denny
    Linux systems are generally safer than Windows systems, but still require vigilance from users. While viruses and malware are rare on Linux, rootkits or trojans could potentially exploit application vulnerabilities or trick users into granting elevated permissions. Overall system security depends on users observing basic rules like not automatically executing untrusted code, restricting software execution permissions, and protecting administrator accounts.

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    of 8

    1

    Linux system safety

    Threats
    2

    Is Linux safe?
    • Well, yes and no

    • The system architecture makes it harder to attack,


    provided the user observes some basic rules

    • "To mess up a Linux box, you need to work at it; to


    mess up your Windows box, you just need to work
    on it. - Scott Granneman from SecurityFocus
    3

    Is Linux safe? (continued)


    • The system was designed so that multiple users can work on it
    simultaneously

    • Network operation is one of the basic features of Linux

    • As a rule, the system doesn't trust remote attempts to execute


    the software

    • However, Linux is not an impenetrable fortress

    • This pretty much depends on the user


    4

    Viruses and internet bugs


    • A traditional nemesis of Windows user

    • They are practically non-existent in Linux

    • The existing anti-virus programs (ClamAV, F-Secure) are rather used to


    eliminate Windows viruses

    • This results from the fact that users are strongly separated with regard to
    execution rights

    • Each program or library is executed with the authorisation of the user that
    launches it

    • In order to allow the virus to actually infect the system, the user would have to
    start it with a root user authorisation
    5
    Viruses and internet bugs (continued)

    • There is also no possibility of executing the code automatically

    • When reading an e-mail or entering a website which includes


    malicious software the user would have to:

    – Download the program

    – Save it on the drive

    – Grant it execution rights

    – Launch it (best switch to root first)


    6
    Viruses and internet bugs (continued)

    • However, we have to bear in mind that a virus, even when


    launched with ordinary user rights can make much damage

    • We shouldn't test the system that way – visiting websites with


    a questionable reputation is always risky

    • We have to pay attention to the elements we want to be


    executed – if we allow for something, the system will execute
    it, regardless of how harmful it is
    7

    Rootkits, trojans, backdoors


    • Most often encountered threats
    • They are used to facilitate gaining access to
    the system, revisiting it, or hiding our
    presence there
    • However, programs of this kind require a
    form of gaining access to it earlier than the
    program is executed
    8
    Methods of gaining access to the system

    • Exploiting the application loopholes

    • Convincing the user to execute a malicious code

    • "Guessing" the user password and login via network


    (provided that a special service called ssh is
    switched on)

    • Gaining access to the admin account by starting the


    computer in a different way

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