How to Keep Your Linux Computer Protected
Some individuals and organizations are using Linux operating system to dodge Windows-targeted cyber-attacks. But while Linux is resistant to viruses and malwares solely written for Windows, it still leaves enough room to let someone compromise sensitive data. We all know that hackers are always looking for various methods to threaten your security.
Regardless of the OS installed on your disk or the data recovery tool you have, it's virtually impossible to make a machine connected to the internet totally impermeable to attacks. So what can you do in this situation? You can make an attacker's task difficult by following these tips and by using the Best Linux Antivirus.
Encrypt your drive
Once you are done setting up your new Linux distribution or ‘distro’ such as Gnome, Kubuntu, or BackTrack, it will ask you if you would like your drive to be encrypted. Encrypting your SSD drive or Hard Drive can keep your data safe. You will just need a password to decrypt your drive upon login. This is especially useful for people who work using their personal laptop.
If your drive is encrypted and your laptop gets stolen, the criminals will not be able to access your important data. Furthermore, even if a hacker has physical access to your laptop and knows your account password, he/she still cannot decrypt your drive if he/she doesn’t have the right code.
Aside from full disk encryption, Linux can also encrypt your Home folder so even if someone has access to your computer, they will not be able to tamper anything inside it.
Update Software
Mainstream Linux distros like Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora have specific security teams that can help you stay on top of any security vulnerabilities. They work with each other to guarantee that security patches are released as soon as a new threat is discovered.
Your distro will have a repository especially for security updates. You just need to enable the security specific repository, and decide if you'd prefer to install the updates automatically or manually at the press of a button.
For Ubuntu, you can find this by heading over to System > Administration > Software Sources. Under the Updates tab, you can choose how often the distro should ping the security repository for updates, and whether you'd like to automatically install them or just be notified when there are new updates. Choosing the latter is good as it allows you to review the updates before installing them.
Apart from these, distros email their users to announce vulnerabilities and share packages to fix them. You must always keep an eye on this to know any security updates and packages that are critical to you.
Use Secure Passwords
Some people have a tendency to recycle old passwords. However, this can put you in great danger as hackers can easily access all your accounts once they figure out the only password you use. With that said, we have to give them enough attention.
Passwords serve as an important key to our online identity. As such, we need to use strong and unique codes to protect our data and IT systems from unauthorized access. To reduce the likelihood of a hacker cracking the code, your password must be complex. It should contain at least ten characters and have a combination of letters, numbers, and signs.
If you have trouble remembering all your passwords, use a desktop password manager. These can save all your passwords and automatically fills in online forms.
Don’t download or open attachments
Malwares can infect your Linux PC through attachments in emails. Unless you’re expecting a message from someone, do not open anything you receive, even if it’s from friends or family. Hackers can send malicious emails to everyone in your contact list and these people are likely to open the attachment as they trust you.
Install the Best Linux Antivirus
Some computer users who are using Linux are complacent with its built-in security. They believe that since most viruses are specifically designed for Windows, they are exempted from these. However, there are still sophisticated attacks made generally for Linux OS and you have no way of defending yourself once you get attacked by them.
For that reason, we'd highly recommend that you install the Best Linux Antivirus. There are many Linux antivirus programs out there that are suitable for your needs. One of them is Comodo Internet Security. It performs cloud-based behavior analysis of files to deliver superior protection against unknown and zero-day malware. With a minimal impact on performance, it easily scans, detects, and blocks all known and unknown threats. It also has email filtering features for Linux computers to scrutinize spam and block email-borne threats.
