nixCraft: Linux Tips, Hacks, Tutorials, And Ideas In Blog Format » Security

Download of the day: Kali Linux ( BackTrack Linux )

nixCraft — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:24:51 +0000

Kali Linux is the successor of the BackTrack Penetration Testing Linux distribution has been released. From the official project page:

Kali is a complete re-build of BackTrack Linux, adhering completely to Debian development standards. All-new infrastructure has been put in place, all tools were reviewed and packaged, and we use Git for our VCS.

Top 30 Nmap Command Examples For Sys/Network Admins

nixCraft — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:10:03 +0000

Nmap is short for Network Mapper. It is an open source security tool for network exploration, security scanning and auditing. However, nmap command comes with lots of options that can make the utility more robust and difficult to follow for new users.
The purpose of this post is to introduce a user to the nmap command line tool to scan a host and/or network, so to find out the possible vulnerable points in the hosts. You will also learn how to use Nmap for offensive and defensive purposes.

HowTo: Linux Hard Disk Encryption With LUKS [ cryptsetup Command ]

nixCraft — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:05:16 +0000

Dear nixCraft,
I carry my Linux powered laptop just about everywhere. How do I protect my private data stored on partition or removable storage media against bare-metal attacks where anyone can get their hands on my laptop or usb pen drive while traveling?
Sincerely,
Worried about my data.

HowTo: Linux Check Password Strength With Cracklib-check Command

nixCraft — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 19:32:38 +0000

Using the same password on different servers allows attackers to access your accounts if cracker manage to steal your password from a less secure server. This is true for online website accounts too. So solution is to create unique passwords for server accounts like your email, sftp and ssh accounts. General guideline to create a strong and unique password is as follows: