How to Secure Ubuntu Linux

All operating systems need secured at some point, even open source operating systems. Securing your operating system can be very easy and beneficial as well. In Ubuntu Linux, as with all operating systems, it is recommended that you use a firewall or at least IP tables, as with the case with Linux distributions. However, there are other steps that also need to be taken to secure your system before you consider setting up a firewall. Read on to learn how to secure Ubuntun Linux.

Step 1 Try not to use root (Sudo). When Ubuntu is installed, the default settings are assigned, which means that the default user account can use Sudo in command line to run root commands. By not using or restricting the use of Sudo, the possibility of accidentally changing important settings is greatly lessened.

Step 2 Only use trusted software sources for installation and updating. Ubuntu is installed with a list of default repositories that are trusted sites for software downloads and updates. Do not change the repository list unless you know what you are doing and trust the site you are trying to add.

Step 3 Use a very strong password. By default, Ubuntu doesn’t install or enable remote access to the system. However, if you share your computer or have enabled remote access then you should have a strong password. Try to use a mixture of upper and lower case letters with numbers and symbols.

Step 4 Limit the use and ability for your system to run scripts. If you do not use chat rooms or care about seeing everything that plays on a website then disable JavaScript in the web browser.

Step 5 Don’t share you password. Some people may tend to brag about their ultra-secure password and end up telling what it is in the end just to seem smart or cool. Also, don’t play the “you’ll never guess my password” game. And most of all, never send you password in an email, especially if it is requested.