Part III: System Security

This part of the tutorial is directed primarily towards the UNIX system administrator. It describes how to configure UNIX on your computer to minimize the chances of a break-in, as well as to limit the opportunities for a nonprivileged user to gain superuser access.

• Backups, discusses how and why to make archival backups of your storage. It includes discussions of backup strategies for different types of organizations.
• Defending Your Accounts, describes ways that a computer cracker might try to initially break into your computer system. By knowing these "doors" and closing them, you increase the security of your system.
• Integrity Management, discusses how to monitor your filesystem for unauthorized changes. This includes coverage of the use of message digests and read-only disks, and the configuration and use of the Tripwire utility.
• Auditing and Logging, discusses the logging mechanisms that UNIX provides to help you audit the usage and behavior of your system.
• Protecting Against Programmed Threats, is about computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. This chapter contains detailed tips that you can use to protect yourself from these electronic vermin.
• Physical Security. What if somebody gets frustrated by your super-secure system and decides to smash your computer with a sledgehammer? This chapter describes physical perils that face your computer and its data and discusses ways of protecting them.
• Personnel Security, examines concerns about who you employ and how they fit into your overall security scheme.