Tag Archives | Hackers

Why You Should Protect Your Research Papers in Linux

Writing a research paper is a huge task in itself. When you think about how easy it is for other people to copy or plagiarize the paper you worked hard on, this should encourage you to learn how to protect your research papers and other documents on your Linux computer. To do this, you should improve network security and even the physical security of the data stored on your computer. To ensure that hackers won’t get to your files, it’s recommended to have several security measures in place. From the research paper files themselves to the other files in your device, there’s a lot for you to keep secure. One of the most secure ways to protect your files is through encryption. This is a lot like keeping your files in a locked safe. You can even use encryption for safeguarding your website and other online data. Encrypting involves generating a password or encryption key. The only person who can access encrypted data is the one holding the password. In this case, that would be you.

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Encrypting your research papers and other files

For Linux, there are several tools you can use to create a secure container called an “encrypted volume” to keep all of your files and research papers. Rather than encrypting your files individually, placing all of them in an encrypted volume makes it more convenient for you to find your files.

However, if you copy your files on a flash drive or on another computer, you would have to encrypt them again to guarantee their safety.

With all the software available for Linux, you have to choose the right one. Some of these software options offer important features that allow you to customize your security settings.

Some tools even allow you to permanently encrypt your computer’s entire disk along with all the files stored on it, temporary files, installed programs, and even operating system files.

Finding the right tools

Linux operates on three levels of access to files on your computer. Understand that on Linux, all stored content including programs are considered files and you might want to remember this when setting up access control.

Security levels consist of User, person who created file or owner of device, a user group collectively granted access to a specific file(s), and Other or open.

Access permission is also set at three levels. First up is Read permission by which you can open and read a file but cannot modify. Next is Write permission that allows you to modify contents in a file.

To protect your valuable research paper, do not leave this level open. The final permission level is Execute, which allows modification of program coding and by extension the possibility to corrupt your stored data. Credentials for Read and Execute levels must be seriously protected, and known to you only or other trusted person.

Properly applied, these levels of security in Linux OS will protect your data against hacking and corruption.

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If you believe that your research papers and all other files you save on your computer are important, then security should be your first priority. If a person successfully hacks into your computer and corrupts your files, it’s a disaster.

Of course, it’s better for you to protect the files you worked hard on too. Since there are several options for Linux to encrypt your files and keep them safe, you need to do a bit of research to find the right one.

Search for the features you need and when you find a tool, app or software with this feature, dig deeper. The key is to learn everything you can about the digital tool before downloading or purchasing it.

Finding the right tools

Safely using encryption on Linux

Encryption alone won’t do much good if system root access is not protected. Linux restricts what other systems call administrator access privileges to any user other than the authorized custodians.

This protects the system’s core and stored files from inadvertent attacks by worms and viruses through careless web browsing.

Next, you need to choose easy to use but highly secure tools for encrypting your files. One way is to create containers which are similar to zipped files and encrypt these using the VeraCrypt tool. The beauty of this container is that it is also portable and accessible on both Linux and Windows.

Alternatively, why not just encrypt the whole disk? This however presupposes that you won’t leave your computer on and unattended, as your files will be unprotected. Having encrypted containers or one containing all others is the best way to keep your data safe.

You can also encrypt on Linux using Files by choosing a compression format for your document, add password, and compress.

Another simple way to protect your research data is to secure your account in the first place using a strong password. All these are features of Linux operating system for security of your data

Storing research papers and other data is of the essence, especially if you placed a lot of effort and time into creating them.

While encryption helps reduce the safety risk greatly, this won’t eliminate the risk completely. Therefore, you should also learn how to protect the most sensitive information you have stored on your computer.

If you think that there is anything on your computer that can be potentially damaging to you that you don’t really need to store on your computer, delete and keep it clean.

For those who can’t delete, use the best encryption tool to keep them safe. While encryption isn’t completely safe, it’s still the best option. To increase your files’ safety even more, here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • If you plan to walk away from your computer, close all of your files. Even if it’s your home computer if you plan to leave it overnight, close all of your files to prevent remote intruders from accessing them.
  • Even when putting your computer to sleep or in hibernation mode, close all of your files.
  • Never allow other people to use your computer without closing your files first.
  • Also, close all of your files before you insert a flash disk or other external storage devices into your computer. This applies even if the storage device belongs to someone you know.
  • If you store encrypted volumes on a flash disk, never leave it lying around. Keep it in a secure place to ensure the safety of the data stored within it.

These practical tips are essential to ensure the safety of your files. Combining encryption with other safety features is the best way to protect your data in Linux.

Linux performance

Linux OS has more pluses over other operating systems that you stand to gain from besides security of your research data. It is an open source OS that you can modify and create a personalized version without license restrictions.

The General Public License that comes with Linux will save you a ton of dollars on fees and cost of software as it is compatible with many standard Unix packages and can process most file formats.

A Linux operating system is a smart option in many ways for storing your valuable data. Remember to work with a good programmer to set it right for you to enjoy maximum performance and security.

Conclusion

As a Linux user, the application and tool options grow each day. Now, you can find an app to help you encrypt your data and keep it safe from those who want to corrupt or copy them. Your research papers and all the other files stored on your computer belong to you and no one else.

If you want to keep it that way, learning how to protect your data is key. These days, the huge collection of Linux tools and apps has great potential.

Once you find the tool you need, you can install it then start using it right away. That way, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your digital data.

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How to secure your internet activity with Linux system and VPN

Hackers can access, steal and sell your online activity data as well as manipulate it if you don’t use the right system and tools. The level of protection you want will largely influence which tools and systems to use. With a Linux system and VPN, it becomes possible to hide your browsing tracks, personal information, and various other online activities. When you have the right protection in place, not even the government can access your activity. Keep reading to learn how businesses and individuals alike can use a Linux system and VPN for ongoing protection of their online data. We will also explore why this is important and why you should care about your online data. Hackers steal data for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it’s’ for their own purposes. Other times, they sell it or give it to other entities. These entities may or may not have known about the data collection processes the hackers use to gather the data.

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What Is a VPN?

VPN stands for virtual private network, which means it provides encryption, making it difficult for the bad guys to steal your data when visiting their sites. It also acts as an added layer of protection against the government from tracking your online activity.

In some areas, a VPN even grants users access to certain content that is not normally available in their geographical areas. Such forms of content often include video, international gaming, certain servers, etc.

The VPN works to protect your online activity by making it appear as if you are logged in from a different location. As soon as you connect to the VPN, you can set your location to anywhere in the world.

Additionally, with a Linux system, you can improve the safety and protection of your data thanks to advanced security measures. Fixes for Linux program exploits made by hackers are generally developed and released well before other operating systems develop and release fixes for their equivalent programs.

How Does a Linux System Make Online Activity More Secure?

Getting fixes to exploits is of the utmost importance in both personal and business settings, particularly those sitting on large amounts of data.

Hackers, crackers, and phreakers steal people’s online data all the time for multiple reasons. Some do it to fight a cause, some steal it unintentionally, some do it for fun, a few do it for commercial espionage or sabotage, and lastly, it’s not uncommon for disgruntled employees to steal data for whistle blowing purposes.

A Linux system helps avoid several types of attacks:

  • Reading data
  • Denial of service
  • Altering/manipulating data
  • Access to system

Tips for Increasing Data Protection With a Linux System

To increase data protection through the use of a Linux system, you must first pinpoint what you mean by “secure.” To do this, you must assess what you intend to do with the system and just how secure you need the data to be. In most cases, Linux systems need security, at a minimum, in the following areas:

  • Authorization: Do not allow ANYONE access to the system unless they NEED access
  • Verification: Make sure users have to go through a 2-step authentication process to verify their identity each time logging into the system
  • Integrity: All personal information must be protected and NEVER compromised
  • Non-repudiation: Must have proof of receipt of data; official receipt showing how you received the data and from whom
  • Privacy/confidentiality: You must abide by any privacy and confidentiality regulations such as the ISO 7984-2 International Standards Organization Security Standard
  • Availability: System must be able to perform its required function at all times during normal operating hours while maintaining security around the clock.

Choose a Native App

When installing a VPN on a Linux system, you will have two options: Open-source or native app. With a native app, you will get access to more features and less required configuration.

Because of this, it is highly suggested that any VPN you use at least comes in the form of a native client for Linux.

In addition to the dedicated app, users of a VPN that comes in the form of a native client enjoy sophisticated security, ultra-fast speeds, and the ability to run on a command-line interface. Additionally, the server list is always kept up to date, making it simple to download and switch between UDP to TCP over the Open VPN protocol.

Run Through Services and Customize Each of Them

When using Linux as a VPN, you will have several types of facilities to choose from, including mail and WWW. Linux handles some of these services through a system of ports.

Take for example Port 21, which controls FTP. You can check out service names in the /etc/services file for a map of port numbers.

It’s ideal to have most of your services running through a configuration file /etc/inetd.conf. You’ll also want to take a lot of time when running through this type of file as you will have the ability to customize how each of the available services is running and protected.

Keep Services in inetd.conf Turned OFF

Check the services in inetd.conf, and make sure they are not set to turn on by default. To achieve maximum security, you must turn them off. You can type the command netstat -vat to see which services are currently running on your Linux or alternatively, you can use ss command. For any services that you are unfamiliar with, make sure to look them up in /etc/inetd.conf.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous VPNs to choose from. The surfshark.com VPN is especially ideal for those who want to unblock lots of region-locked content from sources such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.

Users of this VPN are also huge fans of their ability to connect to the VPN through an unlimited number of devices. This is an example of a VPN that has the features you should look for when researching for ways to use a Linux system to secure internet activity.

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