Linux Password and Authentication Hardening

A Practical Guide to Securing User Access, Enforcing Policies, and Preventing Unauthorized Login on Linux Systems

Comprehensive guide to hardening Linux authentication systems, enforcing security policies, and preventing unauthorized access with practical PAM configurations and advanced techniques.

Author:

Category: Linux

Pages: 361

Language: English

Publication Date:

DSIN: 2SJL2H34XA39

About This Book

**Linux Password and Authentication Hardening** is the definitive guide for securing Linux systems through comprehensive authentication strategies and policy enforcement. This practical handbook addresses the critical security challenges faced by system administrators and security professionals managing Linux environments in today's threat landscape. The book provides in-depth coverage of Linux authentication mechanisms, starting with foundational concepts and progressing to advanced implementation strategies. Readers will master PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) configuration, implement robust password policies, and deploy multi-factor authentication solutions tailored specifically for Linux environments. Each chapter delivers actionable knowledge with step-by-step configurations, real-world examples, and immediately applicable solutions. The content covers essential security areas including SSH hardening, account management, brute force protection, and comprehensive auditing strategies. Advanced topics include centralized authentication with LDAP and Kerberos, passwordless authentication methods, and enterprise-scale security framework implementation. The extensive appendices provide ready-to-use configuration templates, security checklists, and automation scripts that can be directly implemented in production environments. This practical approach ensures readers can immediately apply learned concepts to strengthen their Linux security posture. Written by experienced Linux security professionals, this book consolidates years of best practices into a single comprehensive resource. Whether managing small server deployments or enterprise-scale Linux infrastructure, readers will gain the knowledge needed to implement defense-in-depth authentication strategies that protect against modern security threats.

Quick Overview

Comprehensive guide to hardening Linux authentication systems, enforcing security policies, and preventing unauthorized access with practical PAM configurations and advanced techniques.

Key Topics Covered

  • PAM configuration
  • password policy enforcement
  • SSH hardening
  • two-factor authentication
  • account management
  • brute force protection
  • login auditing
  • LDAP integration
  • Kerberos authentication
  • passwordless authentication
  • sudo security
  • service hardening
  • security frameworks
  • compliance automation

Who Should Read This Book

Linux system administrators, cybersecurity professionals, DevOps engineers, IT security managers, network administrators, cloud infrastructure specialists, penetration testers, compliance officers

Prerequisites

Linux system administration experience, basic command-line proficiency, understanding of file permissions and user management, familiarity with text editors, network security concepts

Table of Contents

| Chapter | Title | Page | | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ---- | | Intro | Introduction | 7 | | 1 | Introduction to Linux Authentication | 19 | | 2 | Understanding PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) | 32 | | 3 | Enforcing Strong Password Policies | 48 | | 4 | Managing Password Expiry and Rotation | 64 | | 5 | Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Linux | 81 | | 6 | Secure SSH Authentication | 101 | | 7 | Account Lockout and Brute Force Protection | 115 | | 8 | Auditing and Monitoring User Logins | 132 | | 9 | Centralized Authentication with LDAP and Kerberos | 149 | | 10 | Passwordless Authentication and Key Management | 165 | | 11 | Securing Sudo Access | 179 | | 12 | Disabling Unused Accounts and Services | 194 | | 13 | Hardening Login Services | 238 | | 14 | Using Security Frameworks | 256 | | App | PAM configuration examples | 274 | | App | Password policy checklist | 290 | | App | Script to audit all active users | 305 | | App | Sample /etc/login.defs configuration | 323 | | App | Useful tools | 342 |

About This Publication

**Linux Password and Authentication Hardening** is designed to transform your approach to Linux security by providing comprehensive, practical guidance on implementing robust authentication controls. This book addresses the critical gap between theoretical security knowledge and real-world implementation in Linux environments. You'll learn to configure PAM modules for maximum security, implement password policies that balance usability with protection, and deploy advanced authentication methods including two-factor authentication and passwordless solutions. The book covers essential operational security aspects such as SSH hardening, sudo access control, account lockout mechanisms, and comprehensive monitoring strategies. Each chapter builds upon previous knowledge while remaining accessible for reference purposes. The extensive practical examples, configuration templates, and troubleshooting guidance ensure you can immediately implement learned concepts in your Linux environment. By completing this book, you'll have the skills to design and maintain a hardened Linux authentication infrastructure that protects against unauthorized access and meets enterprise security requirements.

Book Details

Format
PDF
File Size
2.0 MB
Chapters
14
Exercises
99
Difficulty Level
beginner
Reading Time
18-20

Special Features

• Step-by-step configuration guides with practical examples • Ready-to-use PAM configuration templates and scripts • Comprehensive security checklists and audit procedures • Real-world troubleshooting scenarios and solutions • Enterprise-scale implementation strategies and best practices • Extensive appendices with configuration references and automation tools • Coverage of modern authentication methods and emerging technologies • Security framework integration for consistent policy enforcement • Performance optimization techniques for authentication systems • Compliance guidance for regulatory requirements

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