2.3.1 Security

Security is not a significant problem for a computer that is not connected to a network, and

passwords will protect it from ‘honest thieves’. When connected to a network there is potential for

security problems. These problems become more serious when the computer is connected to the

network 24 hours a day. General rules to keep a computer safe (this applies to non-Linux comput-

ers also) are:

keep user passwords safe - these can be the start of a security breach protect the root password - loosing this throws the system wide open

shut down unneeded programs - network programs sometime have bugs that open doors apply patches - software updates help close security holes