Linux

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Linux Choices and Security
Linux Choices and Security Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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The Problem of Linux

• Linux's success is due to a highly-evolutionary
  response and wide collection of applications.
• This makes it very hard to choose a distribution
  suitable to a business environment.

Linux Choices and Security Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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The Major Players

• Hobbiest
• Ubuntu / Mint
• OpenSUSE
• Fedora
• Enterprise
• Ubuntu Server
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
• Red Hat Enterprise Server / CentOS

Linux Choices and Security For those of you that are bored... Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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The Minor Players

• Slackware
• Gentoo
• Mandriva
• Debian
• MEPIS
• Puppy
• Sabayon
• Arch

• Kubuntu
• Xubuntu
• Damn Small Linux
• Vector
• gOS
• Ultimate Edition
• Zenwalk
• Sidux

Linux Choices and Security some animal trivia... Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Live CDs

• Knoppix
• Backtrack
• Helix
• PCLinuxOS
• Slax
• System Rescue CD
• Elive
• Kanotix

• NimbleX
• GoblinX
• Ultimate Boot CD
• m0n0wall
• LLGP
• INSERT
• Feather
• GeeXboX

Linux Choices and Security Platypuses sense electric currents with their bills. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Confused?

• There certainly are a lot of options

Linux Choices and Security Squid can see the polarization of light. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Solution Only two things matter

• Distribution Lifetime
• Application Choice

Linux Choices and Security Lizards threatened by fire ants have longer legs. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Distribution Lifetime
Distribution(Server) Lifetime (years)
Ubuntu 1.5
Fedora 1
OpenSUSE 2
Mandriva 5
Ubuntu Server 5
Red Hat Enterprise 7
SUSE Linux Enterprise 9
Linux Choices and Security Black bears can be white, yellow or brown too. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Application Choice
Distributions sorted by number of packages Red Hat Enterprise Mandriva SUSE Linux Enterprise Ubuntu Server Fedora OpenSUSE Ubuntu

Linux Choices and Security The Alaska oil pipeline hampered caribou migration. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Putting it all together

Linux Choices and Security The Pacific Barreleye fish have a transparent cranium. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Specialty Options

• Security Testing
• Helix
• Backtrack
• INSERT
• Security Appliance
• M0n0wall
• IPCop
• Astaro
• User Friendly
• gOS
• PC Linux OS

• Recovery
• System Rescue CD
• Ultimate Boot CD
• GParted Live
• NAS
• FreeNAS
• OpenFiler
• Lightweight
• Puppy
• Damn Small
• Vector

Linux Choices and Security Some jellyfish can reverse their aging process. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Security Model

Linux Choices and Security The viper fish has movable teeth. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their legs. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Water bears can survive in the vacuum of space. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Desert snails can live for years without food or water. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security The kookaburra may sit in trees other than gum. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security The tuatara has three eyes. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Parasites shed bits of their DNA to rely upon their hosts. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security The song of the katydid changes with the temperature. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Moles bite the heads off worms and store them for later. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Fire ants floating in water rotate so all may breathe. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security The slow loris has poisonous elbows. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Mice prefer chocolate to cheese. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Some sea urchins only breed during the full moon. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Pronghorns don't know how to jump over fences. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security Hornbills are one of the few birds to have eyelashes. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Linux Choices and Security The chalcid wasp lays its eggs in the eggs of others. Josh More - blog.starmind.org
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Takeaways

• Like all OSs, Linux is only potentially secure.
• You can secure Linux at many levels.
• Use all the levels you can.
• It's all about configuration

Linux Choices and Security Sea squirts reabsorb their brains when they settle down. Josh More - blog.starmind.org