Digital Self-Defense
Tutorials – Intrusion Protection
No computer security is perfect, so make sure you've got a second line of protection.
Let's take a look at two ways of making sure that, in the event of some bad guys (who may or may not work for a government) break into your machine, you find out they're there before they do any damage. The two methods differ in what they monitor: We'll use a host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS) to keep an eye on what's going on inside our machines, and we'll use a network intrusion detection system (NIDS) to try and detect suspicious traffic. Neither is fool-proof, but these two complementary systems can significantly increase your chances of staying safe.
OSSEC – the HIDS we'll use – is built from the ground up to monitor multiple computers in a network. Years ago that might have only been relevant for people working on enterprise IT, but these days most people have many devices connected to their home network, and with the Internet of Things starting to take off, the number of computing devices in the average home is only likely to increase. Tripwire (see "Tripwire" box for details) is another option that's a bit easier to set up but only really suitable for one machine at a time unless you buy the enterprise additions.
Before installing OSSEC, you'll need to decide which machine should be the master. If you have a home server that's on all the time, then this is ideal. However, even if it's a desktop that's only turned on periodically, this is still better than not having any protection.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.