Open Source Security Tools for Linux Servers
Enhance the security of your Linux servers with open-source tools. Discover powerful solutions designed to protect your infrastructure and defend against cyber threats. The security of your Linux server is mostly determined by the procedures you use and the tools you use to protect it against viruses, malware, and other harmful attacks.
1. Wireshark
Wireshark is an open-source network monitoring programme that has been around since 1998 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest packet sniffers and network protocol analyzers. It is supported by a large worldwide community of software developers and network specialists. This support group provides information on the most recent network developments, encryption approaches, and security fixes.
Given today’s escalating security risks, Wireshark is safer than any closed-source networking software because it is a robust open-source tool. This is why massive multinational organisations, large corporations, and government agencies rely on this programme for network troubleshooting and traffic monitoring. This includes things like recording and assessing the content of live packets, among other things.
2. Nmap
Examining network packets and the many types of vulnerabilities that can be found within large server networks is a never-ending chore for large server companies. Despite the fact that there are no short network utilities on the market, few can match Nmap’s efficiency and variety in terms of network security, auditing, and mapping.
Nmap, or network mapper, is an open-source and completely free network vulnerability scanner. Active devices, available hosts, open ports, and security vulnerabilities on resident systems can all be examined by network administrators in real time.
Nmap’s main functions include analysing raw IP packets and displaying live host network characteristics such as ports, services, and banners, as well as current version information. This utility can be used to detect any open ports in a system and perform the necessary action right away.
3. ClamAV
ClamAV is a free and open-source anti-malware engine that scans for viruses and dangerous programmes that target the Linux operating system. It includes a multi-threaded scanning application that is suited for real-time detection of a variety of assaults based on their signatures. ClamAV’s built-in command-line interface can be used for an on-demand, system-wide scan and signature updates in addition to detecting active threats.
ClamAV pales in comparison to other proprietary antivirus software, such as those from well-known companies like ESET or BitDefender. Both firms tout their extensive feature sets and user-friendliness. ClamAV, on the other hand, does its job effectively; it’s a great open-source antivirus program that doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles that its competitors do.
4. Rkhunter
Apart from external attacks and harmful threats, Linux distributions frequently contain internal security issues such as rootkits, backdoors, and other local vulnerabilities.
Rkhunter or Rootkit Hunter is an open-source scan and detection program for such malware. Within your local Linux-based PC and server, these threats include hidden files and programs, shady strings, incorrect permissions, and many others.
5. Snort
Snort is the most popular of the main tools in every Linux system administrator’s toolbox, and the best part is that it’s available for download for free. Its Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) includes rules for detecting malicious activity within the network by comparing it to a set of predetermined criteria.
Snort can be used as a packet sniffer, logger, or a system-wide full-time network IPS tool, among other things.
Despite the fact that you’ll probably use it as a packet filter, it can identify dangers based on their signatures in a way that Wireshark can’t. The user’s ability to specify rules that allow legitimate network operations while prohibiting suspect ones is critical to Snort’s intrusion detection performance.
6. Nikto
Nikto is a GPL-licensed open-source scanning tool that does extensive testing on web servers. It can detect over 6,700 different types of malicious code, 1,250+ obsolete server versions, and even particular server faults in 270 different versions.
For servers with index files, Nikto can be used to inspect configuration settings. It tries to figure out which web servers are installed and which apps are associated with them. The creator updates the tool plugins on a regular basis, guaranteeing that you always have the most recent version. Nikto isn’t designed to be used as a covert tool, so don’t try to use it that way. In a short length of time, it can test webservers.
