i was wondering if dedicated linux servers get hacked?
is it possible?
how can i protect my server from being hacked.

Do they get hacked? - Yes.

is it possible? - again, yes.

how can i protect my server from being hacked.
Long answer -
1- make certain all un needed services are disabled.
2- make certain you have all the latest updates and security fixes for your flavor of Linux
3- read some of the excellent linux security books out there for additional info on how you can lock your box down.

Now, here's the $1000000 question - Given all this are you 100% safe? Nope. Unless you have a few years of Linux admin experience and eat/sleep and breath this stuff, you'll probably get nailed at least once. The better prepared you are, the harder it is for the cracker to get in. The harder it is, the less likely that most will work on it as most of em want the easy pickings. A few will see it as a challenge, but unless they really hate you, will most likely move on too.

No matter what, an os isn't perfect and there will be holes, thats life, all os's will have some sort of hole that will let someone root your box, its just that some os's leave bigger holes, or craters like windows does....

well kaith pretty much summed it up!

no system connected to the internet is truely secure... you may have patched it up to the point that it would be very very difficult but someone will still find a way in.

the best thing to do is keep very active. always check for secuirty updates and above all make it routine to actually check out the system! nothing can defend better than logging into the system often and takeing a stroll through the system. few things to check

1) whos currently active both in telnet/ssh and ftp
2) whos been active (check logs)
3) what processes are running and who is running them


very early when i first got a dedicated system someone cracked into the server. luckly between the morons sloppy work and an active admin we caught it a few hours after the break in and was able to find and patch the hole the person used.

Originally posted by The Prohacker
No matter what, an os isn't perfect and there will be holes, thats life, all os's will have some sort of hole that will let someone root your box, its just that some os's leave bigger holes, or craters like windows does....

With the exception of MacOS versions older than MacOS X (i.e. MacOS 9.x). ;)

Check out these sites securityfocus.com and linuxsecurity.com they have a lot of news and TONS of tips.

Te only truly secure computer is one that is switched off and stored in a locked room with armed guards
:cool:

I'd like to see a Host that provides an OpenBSD option for their dedicated servers. It has been 4 years since there has been a remote hole found.

Originally posted by The Prohacker
...or craters like windows does....


ROTFLMAO!!!!!

:D:D:D

Originally posted by avara


With the exception of MacOS versions older than MacOS X (i.e. MacOS 9.x). ;)


MAC :puke:


BBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Mac's just suck...same with "iBooks"...they look like makeup kits :rolleyes: :D

as long as humans make the software it will always have bugs, errors, and security holes galor :D . But i do think Linux is the best OS out there, then comes MAC OS, then Comes Windows. (Last as always.. ;) )