Lynis Shell Skript Checks Unix Security
The first step towards improving a system's security, is discovering the status quo. Lynis, a small command line program helps users do so.
Dutch developer Michael Boelen authored the program, which is based on shell scripts and checks Unix-style systems for vulnerabilities. The program will run from any medium at the command line.
Lynis scans the operating system and installed software searching for security issues as it does. For example, the script checks whether the SSL certificates in use on the system are obsolete. It also checks for obsolete software, threats due to accounts without password protection, and incorrectly assigned file permissions. Lynis also performs diagnostics for your firewall if you have one.
Lynis can't resolve vulnerabilities itself, however, it does help to identify installation issues and existing threats.
On the project website Boelen writes that he has tested Lynis successfully on various systems including Debian 4.0, OpenSuSE, Slackware 12.1, and various Ubuntu releases, FreeBSD, Mac OS X 10.x, and PcBSD. According to Boelen, the script will also check HP-UX and AIX.
For more information and to download the program as a zipped tarball, visit the Lynis website. Lynis is licensed under the GPL Version 3.
Issue 14: Raspberry Pi Handbook/Special Editions
Tag Cloud
News
-
SCO Rises from the Swamp
Longtime litigator revives an ancient suit against IBM alleging Linux infringes on Unix copyrights.
-
UberStudent Project Releases UberStudent 3.0
Specialty distro keeps the focus on advanced learning.
-
openSUSE Conference Approaches
The openSUSE Conference will be held July 18-22, 2013, at the Olympic Museum in Thessaloniki, Greece.
-
Drupal.org Hacked
Security breached at home sites of the CMS project.
-
Oracle Takes Action on Java Security
Lead Java developer vows policy changes and more attention to fixing problems.
-
Google and NASA Partner in Quantum Computing Project
Vendor D-Wave scores big with a sale to NASA's Quantum Intelligence Lab.
-
Mageia Project Announces Mageia 3 Linux
Many package updates and Steam integration highlight the latest from the Mandriva-based community Linux.
-
FSF Outs the World Wide Web Consortium over DRM Proposal
Richard Stallman calls for the W3C to remain independent of vendor interests.
-
Debian 7.0 Debuts
The new release supports nine architectures, 73 human languages, and zero non-Free components.
-
Alpha Version of Fedora 19 Released
Fedora developers release the first alpha version of Fedora 19, known as Schrödinger’s Cat, for general testing. The final release is expected in July 2013.

