Windows Vs Ubuntu

By: Cameron Craig

This topic has had a lot of controversy over the years but it is time to dive into it head first.

When many people hear the word “Linux” they immediately think of  an operating system that is strictly used by computer hackers, computer programmers or people that are incredibly computer savvy.  Although these things are true, Linux operating systems are starting to steer further and further away from this stereotype.  To the right are logo’s of both Windows® and Ubuntu, a popular distribution of Linux.  If this image was shown to the majority of people that use a computer they will not only not know what the Ubuntu logo is, but they will recognize the Windows® logo first due to their commercial success.  It is becoming more and more obvious that people are starting to be less and less intimidated by Linux OS’s which is why the heading of this post is more significant today than it would have been 10 years ago.

With the release of Ubuntu 10.04 (now up to ver. 10.10) came a cult following of people that want to know more about “The Desktop Linux”.

Top 10 Pages Hit at Distrowatch.com

Distrowatch.com is a very popular location to read up on and download various distributions of Linux.  As you can see from the picture on the left, Ubuntu is ranked 1st among the other top 10 distro’s.  If you go to Distrowatch.com almost the entire homepage is dedicated to different versions of Ubuntu.  Ubuntu is starting to become the “Windows®” of the Linux world.

Now that we have touched based with Windows® and Ubuntu lets get a little deeper by talking about how they both operate and function:

Any bench test will show you that hardware will give better performance in Ubuntu than Windows 7 but this is not the only advantage of Linux over Windows® 7.  Virus’ are aimed mainly at Windows® users because A.) it is the most commonly used Operating System and B.) it is relatively easy to get unwanted software to be downloaded and run on Windows® platforms as opposed to a Linux or Macintosh® platform.  Perhaps hardware performance isn’t of much importance to you, perhaps you are willing to sacrifice performance and security for a GUI that is so commercial.  You could put the average computer user in front of a machine with a distro of Ubuntu on it and they will not know how to navigate or use the system nor will they want to learn how; but if you put that same user that has only had experience in Windows® XP in front of a machine with Windows 7 on it, they will be a little lost but will be WILLING to learn how to navigate and use this system even though it is relatively native to them.  Why?  Because over the years Windows® has won over the computer market with commercial success and as long as people see that Windows® logo at the bottom left hand corner of the screen they feel safe and secure.  The best choice is obvious, but why don’t people make the best choice in their choice of operating system?  Because they are ignorant to what Linux can offer them.  Linux is no longer just for the computer elite, it is for anyone and everyone that has the desire to have a powerful yet easy to use platform at their fingertips.

It is starting to become more and more obvious that Windows® is not the best OS to use and hasn’t been for many years now. Does anyone but me find it funny that Microsoft© offers both x86 and x64 images of Windows 7 available for download DIRECTLY FROM MICROSOFT.COM that you can LEGALLY use for 30 days without the need for activation? As if pirating software was not easy enough… Could it be that Microsoft© is FINALLY embracing the fact that no one will ever be able to stop pirating?  Or could it be that they are starting to go the route of Ubuntu with the philosophy of “Desktop Operating Systems should be free of charge”?

No longer are people intimidated by Linux, no longer are people afraid how to navigate and use Linux and the evidence of this is everywhere!  The developers offer tutorials on how to use their software WITH THE FREE DOWNLOAD of their operating system!

Whether you just use the computer to surf the internet, check e-mails, listen to music or do vulnerability scans on specific networks,

L I N U X IS FOR YOU!

Download your copy today!

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Guidelines to Ensure Linux Server Security

By Sunil Punjabi

There are some security measures that are essential to implement in order to avoid server security problems that can easily occur in anyone’s system.

Difficult Passwords

Making easy passwords such as “friend” or “brother” makes your system less secure and your system can be easily hacked. It’s preferable to choose passwords containing, alphabets, numerical, characters and some additional symbols. For example use password like “fr!3nd_65″ to ensure server security and protection. Complicated password should be used because there are many ways anyone can get your encrypted password. As far as Linux system with a web server is concerned, the first thing that comes in anyone’s mind are all those various CGI scripts that make you get an additional password file from the system that has been attacked. Always keep in mind that a simple password is easy to crack whereas a difficult password is harder to crack. Therefore, for security make a good password using symbols, alphabets and numbers.

Password Length

In addition to making a difficult password, the length of the password should be eight. Though, the minimum length required by your Linux system is five but for server security you should keep it eight. For this you are required to edit the login.defs file (configuration file for the login program) and also edit the line PASS_MIN_LEN 5 to PASS_MIN_LEN 8.

File transfer

Transferring files from and to the system can also lessen your server security. Therefore, its important that you shut down the FTPd while transferring files to your system. Moreover, a securer way to keep your system protected is SCP. It makes use of SSH to transfer data and also make use of the similar authentication, providing similar security.

BIOS Security

To further ensure server security, prefer setting password using BIOS security. BIOS security will allow you to block unwanted people who with the help of a special disk try to boot your system, hence protecting you from individuals who try to boot the server without a password prompt.

Disable your special or unwanted accounts

Unwanted accounts and default users can also cause hindrance in your server security. Therefore, deleting all such accounts like sync, news, operator, gopher, games and other will help you maintain your system security.

Enable your shadow password option/feature

server security also requires enabling shadow password option or feature. To do this, you are required to apply the “/usr/sbin/authconfig” function in your system. However, if you wish to change your current password and convert it to shadow password then apply the “pwconv, grpconv” functions or commands.

Make sure you disable console-equivalent access programs

Another way to ensure server security is that you prevent the use of console-equivalent access programs such as reboot, halt and shutdown for individuals that use your server daily.

Disable unused services

Disable all the services that are not used by you. This will not only ensure security but will also keep you less worried about your system.

Above mentioned are few guidelines on Linux server security. If these instructions are followed properly your system will remain protected forever.

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