Complete Linux Security & Hardening with Practical Examples

If you have basic understanding of Linux and want to enhance your skill in Linux security and system hardening then this course is perfect fit for you.  Many security policies and standards require system administrators to address specific user authentication concerns, application of updates, system auditing and logging, file system integrity, and more. This course provides strategies for addressing specific policy and configuration concerns.

This course is intended to develop the skills needed to ensure data integrity on computer systems for organizations with high security standards. 

With the Complete Linux Security & Hardening with Practical Examples course, you’ll learn to implement crucial security measures and hardening techniques to protect Linux environments against unauthorized access, data breaches, and system vulnerabilities. From configuring secure user authentication and enhancing file system integrity to advanced system auditing and log management, this course covers every essential aspect of Linux security. Ideal for system administrators, DevOps professionals, and IT security specialists, this course provides real-world, hands-on examples to equip you with skills that meet industry security policies, standards, and compliance requirements, ensuring robust data protection and operational resilience.

I have 35,000+ students on Udemy platform and many of them are able to secure their dream job in IT field just by taking my courses.  I always start with basic and then dive into advance level

This course is best for someone who:

• wants to learn almost everything about Linux security

• wants to step-up in his/her career

• is looking for a job in Linux

• needs technical guidance on how to enhance the security of Linux systems

• is responsible for implementing security policy requirements on Linux systems consistently and in a reproducible way

• must be able to demonstrate that Linux systems meet security policy requirements

• maintains continued adherence to security requirements, including management of security-critical operating system/software updates

  
  

Overview of the course:

There are total of 10 sections in this course

Section 1 – Introduction and Course Overview

• Course Overview

• Download Syllabus

Section 2 – Security Concepts

• What is Security and OS Hardening?

• Comparing House Security with Computer Security

• Securing All Operating Systems

• Importance of Linux Security

• Security Implementation Tools

• Type of Security Breach

• Quiz, Handouts and Homework

Section 3 - Lab Setup (optional)

• What is VirtualBox?

• Installing Oracle VirtualBox

• Creating First Virtual Machine

• Linux Installation

Section 4 - Securing User Environment

• Understanding /etc/passwd, /etc/group and /etc/shadow

• The /etc/login.def File

• Create User Account and Change Password

• Change Password Parameters

• Set Password Policy

• Lock or Disable User Accounts Automatically

• Lock or Disable User Accounts Manually

• Lock User Account After 3 Failed Attempts

• Restrict root Login

• Disable SSH Access for a Specific User

• Implement UID/GID Policy

• Centralized Authentication Service

• sudo Access

• Monitor User Activity

Section 5 - PAM (Pluggable Authentication Module)

• What is PAM?

• The Importance of PAM

• The PAM Configuration Files Format

• PAM Config File – Module Interfaces

• Account Access Through PAM

• PAM Config File – Control Flags

• PAM Config File – Modules (SO)

• PAM Aware Services and Stacks

Section 6 - Securing Linux Filesystem

• Linux File Types

• Linux File Attributes

• Linux File Ownership and Permissions

• Changing File Permission

• Changing File Ownership

• Access Control List (ACL)

Section 7 - Securing Linux System

• Message of the Day and customizing message of the day

• Physical Server Security

• Remove Unnecessary or Orphan Packages

• Keep Kernel and System Up to Date

• Stop and Disable Unwanted Services

• Separate Disk Partitions

• Disable Ctrl+Alt+Delete

• Running One Service per System

• Change Default Console Passwords

• Disable USB Stick Detection

• Enable Network Time Protocol (NTP or Chronyd)

• Lockdown Cronjobs

• Change SSH Ports

• SELinux (longest lecture and lab)

• Backups

Section 8 - Securing Linux System Network

• Introduction to Firewall

• iptables (tables, chains and targets)

• iptables (practical examples)

• Firewall (firewalld)

• firewalld (Practical Examples)

• firewalld (GUI)

• Encrypt Incoming and Outgoing Traffic

• SSH vs. Telnet

• Turn Off IPV6 (If not in use)

Section 9 - Securing Environment Around Linux

• Hardware/Network Firewall

• Network Address Translation (NAT)

• VPN Tunnel

• Application and Database Encryption

Section 10 - Additional Resources

• Many more lectures on Linux...

  
  

Here is the testimonial from my students:

• To all of you that are looking for a REALLY GOOD LINUX course, THIS IS IT, SERIOUSLY I promise you won't find a course on LINUX here that is THIS GOOD. -- T.J. Marstiller (Udemy Student)

• Imran is a very knowledgeable and engaging instructor. As others have said, you can tell that he is not just trying to sell a course, but that he is invested in giving his students a strong career foundation with a positive and approachable attitude. He is also entertaining with his use of pop culture and practical work examples. It really feels like you're in a classroom with him. I'm taking this course mainly as a hobbyist, but got a lot from it already. The homework assignments, quizzes, and handouts help reinforce the material.   -- Raymond B.  (Udemy Student)

• Main thing about course is its simplicity and the hierarchy. Design is very good and easy which helps to understand things better.  -- Akash Garg (Udemy Student)

• I just love the teaching ad the learning experience I am getting  -- Jacob Samba (Udemy Student)

• Imran Afzal might be my favorite teacher I've EVER had. He is funny, and engaging. The course was easy to follow, and with no experience starting I am now extremely comfortable with Linux, and actually really like it. He does make you do your googles, but this is not a bad thing especially considering the nature of IT and documentation to solve your own problems. I highly recommend.  -- Vanessa Diaz-Goumond (Udemy Student)

• The course is run very well and I really like the handouts and the homework that is assigned. The homework helps me learn and continue with the learning process even when adult life is still progressing forward.  -- Thomas Rogers (Udemy Student)

• Such an amazing instructor. Imran must have put in a lot of effort in structuring the course and taking the student step by step, he takes his time in explaining everything, from what Linux is, how to down load it, coding, etc. I have taken other courses from Imran. I am a student for life. Keep it up and please keep preparing more courses for please like us who can benefit from your way of teaching, knowledge and experience. Thank you.  -- Ali Shiekh (Udemy Student)

• In the first place I say a big thank you to the instructor for making such a great course. I was afraid to learn Linux. I now feel very comfortable with Linux. I have understood both the concept behind and the practical as well. I would recommend every one who is NEW to Linux and wants to grab it once and for all without wasting time to go ahead and ENROLL. You will not regret it. I would like the instructor to do same for WINDOWS SERVER ADMIN., I don't seem to find any better and beginner oriented course out there that could be matched with this course. To me, it is the BEST Linux Course on Online. I just started some real world projects with Linux after this great course, I was new to Linux and in just a month I am on the command line always playing.  -- Opoku Bright (Udemy Student)

• I genuinely look forward to additional courses in the future. This has been so informative. You hear the name oracle all the time, but this was well put in layman’s terms  -- Atoofa Hasan (Classroom Student)

• Imran Afzal eats, breathes and sleeps Linux! He really knows his stuff. I feel like he has brought me from a novice level education to masters level in a short time period. Anyone who is looking to get a job in Linux should definitely take this course.  -- TJ Walker (Udemy Student)