Linux Security Concerns

Linux Security Concerns

Security is becoming a rising worry as hackers increasingly take advantage of Linux operating system flaws. Because of its more extensive user base, Windows has typically been the primary target for malware assaults. However, recent trends have demonstrated a shift in favor of open-source software like Linux. The prominence of open-source solutions, which has forced attackers to modify their tactics, is to blame for this shift.

The Equifax hack, brought on by a web application flaw in the Apache Struts framework, is one significant instance that emphasizes the fragility of open-source software. Due to this incident, 143 million people’s personal information was made public, including private information like social security numbers and dates of birth (Yaswinski et al., 2019). What is particularly concerning is how popular Apache Struts is, with almost half of all Fortune 100 organizations using it for their Java web applications. Despite its widespread use, less than 10% of these businesses actively checked open-source software for security flaws.

This incident demonstrates how crucial it is for open-source apps to be constantly monitored and updated when necessary. The vulnerability in the Equifax hack had been identified and fixed months before the attack, but Equifax did not apply the patch on time. This is a reminder that updating software regularly is an essential security measure. Furthermore, open-source systems are seriously at risk from default credentials (Yaacoub et al., 2023). For instance, the Linux/Shishiga malware uses a variety of protocols, including SSH, Telnet, HTTP, and BitTorrent, to attack weak default passwords. Hackers frequently use this technique to gain illegal access.

Organizations must prioritize monitoring and updating open-source software and ensuring that default credentials are quickly updated to reduce these risks. This proactive strategy will significantly improve Linux system security and prevent future threats.

References

Yaacoub, J. P. A., Noura, H. N., Salman, O., & Chehab, A. (2023). Ethical hacking for IoT: Security issues, challenges, solutions and recommendations. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, 3, 280-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iotcps.2023.04.002

Yaswinski, M. R., Chowdhury, M. M., & Jochen, M. (2019, May). Linux security: A survey. In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Electro Information Technology (EIT) (pp. 357-362). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/EIT.2019.8834112

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Linux Security Concerns

Respond to the following in a minimum of 250 words:

Discuss the statement: Linux security is becoming a concern as hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in Linux. Support your discussion with 1 example.