Hello and welcome to our journal article on securing Ubuntu Server 16 04. In this guide, we will be providing you with a step-by-step approach to securing your Ubuntu server, ensuring that your server is protected from malicious attacks and data breaches. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it is important to ensure that our servers are adequately secured, and we hope that this guide will provide you with the insights you need to protect your server.
Chapter 1: Introduction
In this chapter, we will be discussing the importance of securing your Ubuntu server. We will start by examining the current cyber threat landscape and outlining the vulnerabilities of Ubuntu Server 16 04. We will also provide you with an overview of the contents of this guide, so that you can anticipate what to expect in the subsequent chapters.
The Cyber Threat Landscape
With the world becoming increasingly dependent on digital technology, there has been a corresponding increase in cyber threats. Cyber threats refer to any activity or event that poses a danger to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of digital data. These threats come in various forms, ranging from hacking to malware attacks, and they can be extremely costly for individuals and organizations. In 2020, the global cost of cybercrime was estimated to be over $1 trillion.
As an Ubuntu server user, it is important to recognize that you are not immune to cyber threats. Ubuntu Server 16 04 is vulnerable to a range of cyber attacks, including brute force attacks, DDoS attacks, and SQL injection attacks. Every day, Ubuntu servers are targeted by cybercriminals who are looking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Therefore, it is critical to secure your Ubuntu server and protect your data.
Overview of the Guide
This guide is intended to help you secure your Ubuntu Server 16 04. In the subsequent chapters, we will be providing you with a step-by-step approach to securing your server. The guide will cover a range of topics, including:
- Installing Ubuntu Server 16 04
- Configuring Firewall
- Securing SSH
- Securing Apache Web Server
- Securing MySQL Server
- Securing FTP Server
- Securing Mail Server
- Securing DNS Server
For each of these topics, we will provide you with practical guidance on how to secure your server. We will also include FAQs and tables to help you understand the concepts better. By the end of this guide, you should have a good understanding of how to secure your Ubuntu server and protect it from cyber threats.
Chapter 2: Installing Ubuntu Server 16 04
Before you can start securing your Ubuntu server, you need to install it. In this chapter, we will be providing you with a step-by-step guide on how to install Ubuntu Server 16 04. We will also include some common FAQs to help you troubleshoot any issues that you may encounter during the installation process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Ubuntu Server 16 04
Follow the steps below to install Ubuntu Server 16 04:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Download Ubuntu Server 16 04 ISO file from the official Ubuntu website. |
| Step 2: | Insert a blank CD or USB drive into your computer. |
| Step 3: | Burn the ISO file onto the CD or USB drive. |
| Step 4: | Insert the CD or USB drive into the target computer. |
| Step 5: | Boot the target computer from the CD or USB drive. |
| Step 6: | Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu Server 16 04. |
FAQs: Installing Ubuntu Server 16 04
Below are some common FAQs that Ubuntu server users may have when installing Ubuntu Server 16 04:
Q: How do I check if my computer is 64-bit?
A: You can check if your computer is 64-bit by opening the System Information application. Under the System Summary tab, look for the System Type field. If it says 64-bit Operating System, then your computer is 64-bit.
Q: How do I boot from a CD or USB drive?
A: To boot from a CD or USB drive, you need to change the boot order in your computer’s BIOS. To do this, restart your computer and press the key that appears on the screen to enter the BIOS setup utility (usually F2 or Delete). Once you are in the BIOS setup utility, go to the Boot tab and change the boot order so that the CD or USB drive is the first boot device.
Q: How much disk space do I need to install Ubuntu Server 16 04?
A: The minimum disk space required to install Ubuntu Server 16 04 is 1.5 GB. However, we recommend that you have at least 10 GB of free disk space to ensure that you have enough space for system updates and applications.
Q: How do I configure my network settings during installation?
A: During the installation process, you will be prompted to configure your network settings. You can either choose to configure your network settings manually or use DHCP to automatically configure your network settings. If you choose to configure your network settings manually, you will need to enter the IP address, netmask, gateway, and DNS server information for your network.
Chapter 3: Configuring Firewall
One of the first steps in securing your Ubuntu server is configuring the firewall. In this chapter, we will be providing you with practical guidance on how to configure the firewall on your Ubuntu server. We will also include some common FAQs to help you troubleshoot any issues that you may encounter during the configuration process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Configuring Firewall
Follow the steps below to configure the firewall on your Ubuntu server:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Install the UFW firewall by running the following command: sudo apt-get install ufw |
| Step 2: | Enable the UFW firewall by running the following command: sudo ufw enable |
| Step 3: | Configure UFW for SSH by running the following command: sudo ufw allow ssh |
| Step 4: | Configure UFW for Apache Web Server by running the following command: sudo ufw allow ‘Apache’ |
| Step 5: | Configure UFW for MySQL Server by running the following command: sudo ufw allow mysql |
| Step 6: | Configure UFW for FTP Server by running the following command: sudo ufw allow ftp |
FAQs: Configuring Firewall
Below are some common FAQs that Ubuntu server users may have when configuring the firewall:
Q: How do I check the firewall status?
A: You can check the firewall status by running the following command: sudo ufw status verbose. This command will show you the firewall rules that are currently in effect.
Q: How do I block a specific IP address?
A: You can block a specific IP address by running the following command: sudo ufw deny from . This command will block all incoming traffic from the specified IP address.
Q: How do I allow traffic from a specific IP address?
A: You can allow traffic from a specific IP address by running the following command: sudo ufw allow from . This command will allow all incoming traffic from the specified IP address.
Q: How do I disable the firewall?
A: You can disable the firewall by running the following command: sudo ufw disable. However, we strongly recommend that you do not disable the firewall unless it is absolutely necessary, as this will leave your server vulnerable to cyber threats.
Chapter 4: Securing SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a popular protocol used for securely accessing remote servers. In this chapter, we will be providing you with practical guidance on how to secure SSH on your Ubuntu server. We will also include some common FAQs to help you troubleshoot any issues that you may encounter during the configuration process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Securing SSH
Follow the steps below to secure SSH on your Ubuntu server:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Edit the SSH configuration file by running the following command: sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config |
| Step 2: | Change the default SSH port from 22 to a custom port by editing the Port field. |
| Step 3: | Disable root login by editing the PermitRootLogin field and setting it to no. |
| Step 4: | Enable SSH key authentication by editing the PasswordAuthentication field and setting it to no. |
| Step 5: | Restart the SSH service by running the following command: sudo systemctl restart sshd |
FAQs: Securing SSH
Below are some common FAQs that Ubuntu server users may have when securing SSH:
Q: How do I generate an SSH key pair?
A: You can generate an SSH key pair by running the following command: ssh-keygen. This command will generate a private key and a public key. The private key should be kept secret, while the public key can be shared with others.
Q: How do I copy my public key to the server?
A: You can copy your public key to the server by running the following command: ssh-copy-id @. This command will copy your public key to the authorized_keys file on the server, allowing you to log in using your private key.
Q: How do I disable password authentication completely?
A: You can disable password authentication completely by editing the PasswordAuthentication field in the SSH configuration file and setting it to no. However, we strongly recommend that you have an alternative method of access, such as SSH key authentication, before disabling password authentication.
Q: How do I log out of an SSH session?
A: You can log out of an SSH session by running the exit command or pressing Ctrl + D.
Chapter 5: Securing Apache Web Server
Apache is one of the most popular web servers in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. In this chapter, we will be providing you with practical guidance on how to secure Apache Web Server on your Ubuntu server. We will also include some common FAQs to help you troubleshoot any issues that you may encounter during the configuration process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Securing Apache Web Server
Follow the steps below to secure Apache Web Server on your Ubuntu server:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Disable directory listing by adding the following line to your .htaccess file: Options -Indexes. |
| Step 2: | Disable server signature by adding the following line to your .htaccess file: ServerSignature Off. |
| Step 3: | Enable HTTPS by installing an SSL certificate and configuring Apache to use HTTPS. |
| Step 4: | Configure Apache to only allow access to specific IP addresses or networks. |
| Step 5: | Enable ModSecurity to protect against web application attacks. |
FAQs: Securing Apache Web Server
Below are some common FAQs that Ubuntu server users may have when securing Apache Web Server:
Q: How do I install an SSL certificate?
A: You can install an SSL certificate by following the instructions provided by your SSL certificate provider. In general, the process involves generating a certificate signing request (CSR), submitting the CSR to the SSL certificate provider, and then installing the issued certificate on your server.
Q: How do I redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS?
A: You can redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS by adding the following lines to your Apache configuration file:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Q: How do I enable ModSecurity?
A: You can enable ModSecurity by installing the libapache2-mod-security2 package and then enabling the module by running the following command: sudo a2enmod security2. Once the module is enabled, you can configure it by editing the /etc/modsecurity/modsecurity.conf file.
Q: How do I test my SSL certificate?
A: You can test your SSL certificate by using an SSL checker tool, such as SSL Labs. These tools will scan your website and provide you with a report on the strength of your SSL configuration.
Chapter 6: Securing MySQL Server
MySQL is a popular open-source relational database management system used by millions of websites. In this chapter, we will be providing you with practical guidance on how to secure MySQL Server on your Ubuntu server. We will also include some common FAQs to help you troubleshoot any issues that you may encounter during the configuration process.
Step-by-Step Guide: Securing MySQL Server
Follow the steps below to secure MySQL Server on your Ubuntu server:
Source :
<td
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: | Change the default root password by running the following command: sudo mysql_secure_installation |
| Step 2: | Create a new MySQL user with limited privileges by running the following commands: |
| sudo mysql -u root -p | |
| CREATE USER ‘newuser’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘password’; | |