Hi All,
My opinion on what a follow on APC Linux Pocket book could
contain. In priority I'd go for Howard's suggestions.
Howard Lowndes wrote:
> Three strongly suggested topics
> Security
> Upgrades
> Firewalls
Rev Simon Rumble wrote:
* single-disk distros as routers etc
* IP masquerading/NAT
* Other distros like Debian
* Getting in and customising X and window managers
More people are getting Linux, many of those will be on
cable and will have installed systems that are vulnerable.
They will have holes that enable them to be cracked or their
boxes will be used as springboards for attacks elsewhere.
Most newbies don't know how powerful a linux system can be,
how to protect themselves against Trojan Horses, macro
viruses, or what crackers can use their Linux box for.
At present windows cops more viruses and is not a really
good platform for spamming or attack but in a year or so
with more Linux boxes out there people with bad intentions
will move to take more advantage of insecure Linux systems.
We don't need to scare monger but I think it reasonable to
assume that down the track new Linux users will need some
assistance in securing their systems - especially those that
don't belong to a user group like SLUG. That's where the APC
PocketBook can help. Current security books are too much for
new users wanting to learn a little more just to secure
their systems and most installation books don't cover much
on security at all.
Security could be a good selling point for the APC booklet,
get in early with newbies, explain how powerful Linux can be
but how as a tool people out there can use it in ways that
the owner would not like and guide the user to a more secure
system (note `more secure' not `secure'). A booklet covering
security would also make a good text for TAFEs and Unis
running simple "Make your Linux more Secure" courses.
Mike
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Michael Lake
University of Technology, Sydney
Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph: 02 9514 1724 Fx: 02
9514 1628
URL: http://www.science.uts.edu.au/~michael-lake/
Linux enthusiast, active caver and interested in anything
technical.
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