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| Open source software is such an integral part of the Internet that is it safe to say that the Internet wouldn't exist as we know it today without it. The Internet never would have grown as fast and as dynamically as it did without open source programs such as BIND, which controls the domain name system; Sendmail, which powers most e-mail servers; INN, which runs many news servers; Major Domo, which runs many of the thousands of mailing lists on the Internet; and of course the popular Apache Web server. One thing for sure is that the Internet is a lot cheaper due to open source software. For that, you can thank the Free Software Foundation, BSD UNIX, Linux and Linus Torvalds, and the thousands of nameless programmers who put their hard work and sweat into the programs that run today's Internet. While open source programs cover just about every aspect of computer software-;from complete operating systems and games to word processors and databases-;this book primarily deals with tools used in computer security. In the security field, there are programs that address every possible angle of IT security. There are open source firewalls, intrusion detection systems, vulnerability scanners, forensic tools, and cutting-edge programs for areas such as wireless communications. There are usually multiple choices in each category of mature, stable programs that compare favorably with commercial products. I have tried to choose the best of breed in each major area of information security (in my opinion, of course!). I present them in a detailed manner, showing you not just how to install and run them but also how to use them in your everyday work to have a more secure network. Using the open source software described in this book, you can secure your enterprise from both internal and external security threats with a minimal cost and maximum benefit for both the company and you personally. I believe combining the concepts of information security with open source software offers one of the most powerful tools for securing your company's infrastructure, and by extension the entire Internet. It is common knowledge that large-scale virus infections and worms are able to spread because many systems are improperly secured. I believe that by educating the rank-and-file system managers and giving them the tools to get the job done, we can make the Internet more secure, one network at a time. Audience The audience for this book is intended to be the average network or system administrator whose job duties are not specifically security and who has at least several years of experience. This is not to say that security gurus won't get anything out of this book; there might be areas or tools discussed that are new to you. And likewise, someone just getting into IT will learn quite a bit by installing and using these tools. The concepts discussed and techniques used assume a minimal level of computer and network proficiency. There is also a broad group of readers that is often overlooked by the many open source books. These are the Windows system administrators. The info-security elite often has a certain disdain for Windows-only administrators, and little has been written on quality open source software for Windows. However, the fact remains that Windows servers make up the lion's share of the Internet infrastructure, and ignoring this is doing a disservice to them and the security community at large. While overall the book is still tilted towards Linux/UNIX because most open source programs are still Linux/UNIX-only, I have tried to put Windows-based security tools in every chapter. I've also included helpful hints and full explanations for those who have never run a UNIX machine. Contents This book covers most of the major areas of information security and the open source tools you can use to help secure them. The chapters are designed around the major disciplines of information security and key concepts are covered in each chapter. This book also contains some quick tutorials on basic network terminology and concepts. I have found that while many technicians are well-schooled in their particular platforms or applications, they often lack an understanding of the network protocols and how they work together to get your information from point A to point B. Understanding these concepts are vital to securing your network and implementing these tools properly. So while this book may seem slanted towards the network side of security, most of the threats are coming from there these days, so this is the best place to start. Coverage of each security tool is prefaced by a summary of the tool, contact information, and various resources for support and more information. While I give a fairly detailed look at the tools covered, whole books can and have been written on many of the programs discussed. These resources give you options for further research. Helpful and sometimes humorous tips and tricks and tangents are used to accent or emphasize an area of particular importance. These are introduced by Flamey the Tech, our helpful yet sometimes acerbic mascot who is there to help and inform the newbies as well as keeping the more technical readers interested in sections where we actually make some minor modifications to the program code. He resembles the denizens you may encounter in the open source world. In exploring the open source world, you will meet many diverse, brilliant, and sometimes bizarre personalities (you have to be a least a little bent to spend as much unpaid time on these programs as some of us do). Knowing the proper etiquette and protocol will get you a lot farther and with fewer flames. On a more serious note, many of the tools in this book can be destructive or malicious if used in the wrong ways. You can unintentionally break the law if you use these tools in an uninformed or careless manner (for example, accidentally scanning IP addresses that aren't yours with safe mode off). Flamey will always pipe up to warn you when this is a possibility. Open Source Security Tool Index Immediately following this Preface is a listing of all the tools and the pages where they are covered. This way you can skip all the background and go straight to installing the tools if you want. Chapter 1: Information Security and Open Source Software This chapter offers an introduction to the world of information security and open source software. The current state of computer security is discussed along with a brief history of the open source movement. Chapter 2: Operating System Tools This chapter covers the importance of setting up your security tool system as securely as possible. A tool for hardening Linux systems is discussed as well as considerations for hardening Windows systems. Several operating system-level tools are reviewed too. These basic tools are like a security administrator's screwdriver and will be used again and again throughout the course of this book and your job. Chapter 3: Firewalls The basics of TCP/IP communications and how firewalls work are covered here before jumping into installing and setting up your own open source firewall. Chapter 4: Port Scanners This chapter delves deeper into the TCP/IP stack, especially the application layer and ports. It describes the installation and uses for a port scanner, which builds up to the next chapter. Chapter 5: Vulnerability Scanners This chapter details a tool that uses some of the earlier technology such as port scanning, but takes it a step further and actually tests the security of the open ports found. This security Swiss army knife will scan your whole network and give you a detailed report on any security holes that it finds. Chapter 6: Network Sniffers This chapter primarily deals with the lower levels of the OSI model and how to capture raw data off the wire. Many of the later tools use this basic technology, and it shows how sniffers can be used to diagnose all kinds of network issues in addition to tracking down security problems. Chapter 7: Intrusion Detection Systems A tool that uses the sniffer technology introduced in the previous chapter is used here to build a network intrusion detection system. Installation, maintenance, and optimal use are also discussed. Chapter 8: Analysis and Management Tools This chapter examines how to keep track of security data and log it efficiently for later review. It also looks at tools that help you analyze the security data and put it in a more usable format. Chapter 9: Encryption Tools Sending sensitive data over the Internet is a big concern these days, yet it is becoming more and more of a requirement. These tools will help you encrypt your communications and files with strong encryption as well as create IPsec VPNs. Chapter 10: Wireless Tools Wireless networks are becoming quite popular and the tools in this chapter will help you make sure that any wireless networks your company uses are secure and that there aren't wireless LANs you don't know about. Chapter 11: Forensic Tools The tools discussed in this chapter will help you investigate past break-ins and how to properly collect digital evidence. Chapter 12: More On Open Source Software Finally, this chapter will give you resources for finding out more about open source software. Various key Web sites, mailing lists, and other Internet-based resources are identified. Also, I give a number of ways to become more involved in the open source movement if you so desire. Appendix A: Common Open Source Licenses Contains the two main open source licenses, the GPL and BSD software licenses. Appendix B: Basic Linux/UNIX Commands Contains basic navigation and file manipulation commands for those new to UNIX and Linux. Appendix C: Well-Known TCP/IP Port Numbers Contains a listing of all the known port numbers as per IANA. Note that this section is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to constant update. Please c...
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