Linux Server Hardening May 2026

Below is a structured write-up covering the essential stages of a Linux hardening project. 1. Update and Patch Management

Configure automatic security updates using tools like unattended-upgrades on Debian/Ubuntu or dnf-automatic on RHEL/Fedora. 2. Secure Access (SSH Hardening) Linux Server Hardening

Disable password-based authentication ( PasswordAuthentication no ) in favor of SSH key-pair authentication . Below is a structured write-up covering the essential

Securing the primary remote entry point is vital for stopping automated brute-force attacks. Linux Server Hardening

Prevent direct root access by setting PermitRootLogin no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config .

Follow the principle of least privilege to limit what users and services can do.

Moving SSH from port 22 to a non-standard port can eliminate up to 99% of automated scans. 3. Identity and Access Management