vnStat is a network traffic monitor for Linux that keeps a log of daily network traffic for the selected interface. vnStat isnt a packet sniffer. The traffic information is analyzed from the /proc -filesystem, so vnStat can be used without root permissions.

Installing:

# cd /usr/local/src
# wget http://humdi.net/vnstat/vnstat-1.4.tar.gz
# tar -zxvf vnstat-1.4.tar.gz
# cd vnstat-1.4
# make && make install
# vnstat -u -i eth0

Making vnstat root only:

# chmod 700 /usr/bin/vnstat
# chmod 700 /var/lib/vnstat/ -R

Now you can check the stats, use help for possible commands:

# vnstat –help

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You should hide apache banner information from being displayed so the attackers are not aware of what version of Apache version you are running and thus making it more difficult for them to exploit any system holes and thus making vulnerability scanners work harder and in some cases impossible without knowing banner information.

# nano /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf

Change the ServerSignature line to:

ServerSignature Off

Change the ServerTokens line to:

ServerTokens Prod

Restart Apache:

# /sbin/service httpd restart

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You should often check for updates that will fix certain bugs or improve system stability. Exploits are discovered from time to time thus leaving your system exposed to new attacks.

To list available updates:

# up2date -l

To install updates that are not excluded:

# up2date -u

To install updates including excluded:

# up2date -uf

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The /etc/login.defs file defines the site specific  configuration for the shadow password  suite. By default the minimum password length is “5″ characters. Lets change this to “8″ for stronger passwords.

nano /etc/login.defs

Change:

PASS_MIN_LEN          5

to

PASS_MIN_LEN          8

Now type Ctrl+X then hit Y and enter

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Change directory to find your city time zone:

# cd /usr/share/zoneinfo

In our case it is:

Asia/Manila

To change:

# ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Asia/Manila /etc/localtime

To verify it is correct:

# date

You should see something similar to this:

Mon Mar 24 07:10:11 PHT 2008

That’s it!

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New to Linux? Need to change the hostname of you server? (A hostname is the unique name by which a network attached device is known on a network.) If you enter the wrong hostname during the installation, and you need to change the hostname, here is how you do it:

Edit file /etc/sysconfig/network using your favorite editor:

# nano /etc/sysconfig/network

Look for HOSTNAME=xxxxxx

Change the xxxx to the name you wish to set for your computer. (ex: HOSTNAME=server.mabuhayhosting.com)

Save the file by typing:

Ctrl+X then hit Y and enter

Now restart the xinetd service:

# service xinetd restart

Done! You have just changed your hostname in Linux platform

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# yum install ntp

# chkconfig –levels 235 ntpd on

# ntpdate 0.pool.ntp.org

# /etc/init.d/ntpd start

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These notices will let you know if someone other than you gains access to root on your server in any way. Just a warning — these notices can get annoying if you find yourself using root often. But, if you don’t, its a great way to make sure you’re the only one accessing your server.

# nano /root/.bashrc

At the end of the file add the following:

echo ‘Root Access on:’ `date` `who` | mail -s “ALERT! Root Access from `who | awk ‘{print $6}’`” yourname@domain.com

Now type Ctrl+X then hit Y and enter

That’s it!

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If you have CentOS installed on your dedicated server, your server comes with a software application called “yum” which helps to keep your system software up to date. Moreover, you can install and remove most software this way as well.

You can update your system software with the latest security updates easily! Just type:

# yum update

That’s it!

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Did you ever want to change or create a new login message anytime someone logs into SSH? We’ll show you how it’s done.

First off login to our server as root. Then type in the following:

# nano /etc/motd

Now type in the security login message you wish all users to see once they login to your server through SSH.

Try something like this as a start:

This computer system is for authorized users only. All activity is logged and regularly checked by systems personal. Individuals using this system without authority or in excess of their authority are subject to having all their services revoked. Any illegal services run by user or attempts to take down this server or its services will be reported to local law enforcement, and said user will be punished to the full extent of the law. Anyone using this system consents to these terms.

Now type Ctrl+X then hit Y and enter

Logout of SSH then log back in, you will receive your new greeting!

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