Skip to main content

Security Tools

General Tools

  • SSH (Secure Shell)
    • Use SSH instead of Telnet or rlogin
    • A good program to use is PuTTy. Download here
  • Synchronizing Time
    • To effectively investigate compromises or security incidents it is necessary to have clocks synchronized to a common system (NTP – Network Time Protocol)
      • Install synchronizing software such as Netlab for Windows
  • Free Antivirus Software for Windows
    • All systems must run some antivirus software package.
    • Virus signature files must be kept current. At a minimum, update virus signature files weekly.
    • A good free one may be obtained from AVG Antivirus

Microsoft Windows Tools

  • Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
    • MBSA runs on the latest flavor of Windows and can scan for missing hotfixes and vulnerabilities in Microsoft products
    • All Windows administrators are expected to use this tool to check their patch status
    • Download it here
  • Scan your system for viruses with these free resources
    • Trend Micro
    • Microsoft Live – no longer available
    • Symantec – no longer available

Linux Tools

  • Red Hat Linux
    • Use Update Agent to retrieve the latest software packages from Red Hat. Using this tool will allow you to always have the most up-to-date Red Hat Linux system with all security patches and bug fixes.
      • On the GNOME desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) > Programs > System > Update Agent
      • On the KDE desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) > Red Hat > Update Agent
      • Type the command “up2date” at a shell prompt (for example, an xterm or gnome-terminal)