Linux Server Security Hardening: Common Issues for Beginners

Linux server security is crucial for beginners. This article summarizes 7 common issues and their solutions: 1. Simple and long - unused passwords: Use strong passwords (8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special symbols), change them regularly, and switch to SSH keys (generate and upload public keys). 2. Disabling the firewall: Only open necessary ports (e.g., Web 80/443, SSH 22), and disable insecure services like Telnet. 3. Exposing SSH ports to the public network: Restrict IP access and use fail2ban to prevent brute - force attacks. 4. Unupdated system/software: Regularly update via yum/apt and enable automatic updates. 5. Permission confusion (777): Follow the principle of least privilege (directories 755, files 644) and avoid root abuse. 6. Ignoring logs: Configure log rotation and regularly check critical logs like auth.log. 7. Redundant services: Uninstall useless services (e.g., vsftpd) and close unused ports. Core principles: least privilege, closing entry points, timely updates, and log auditing. Beginners can start with strong passwords, restricting SSH access, and closing unnecessary services for long - term maintenance.