Open Source Security Tools: A Practical Guide to Security Applications [With CDROM]

Few frontline system administrators can afford to spend all day worrying about security. But in this age of widespread virus infections, worms, and digital attacks, no one can afford to neglect network defenses.

Written with the harried IT manager in mind, Open Source Security Tools is a practical, hands-on introduction to open source security tools. Seasoned security expert Tony Howlett has reviewed the overwhelming assortment of these free and low-cost solutions to provide you with the “best of breed” for all major areas of information security.

Inside, you’ll find everything from how to harden Linux and Windows systems to how to investigate breaches with Sleuth Kit, Autopsy Forensic Browser, and Forensic Tool Kit. For each security task described, the author reviews the best open source tools and how to use them and also provides a case study and sample implementation. Covered tasks include:

• Installing an open source firewall using Ipchains, Iptables, Turtle firewall, or Smoothwall
• Scanning ports and testing for vulnerabilities using Nmap, Nlog, Nmap for Windows, Nessus,and NessusWX
• Using sniffers and network-intrusion systems, including Tcpdump, Ethereal, Windump, Snort™, and Snort™ for Windows
• Tracking and analyzing collected data with Swatch, ACID, and NCC
• Encrypting communications with PGP, GnuPG, SSH, and Free S/WAN

This handy reference also tackles the emerging field of wireless security and covers tools such as Kismet Wireless, Airsnort, and Netstumber.

Whether you’re a Windows system administrator or a network administrator, you will come away with an understanding of how open source security tools can help protect your organization and further your own career.

Tony Howlett is the president of Network Security Services, a computer-security application service provider built entirely on open source software. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GNSA), he has fourteen years of experience, including running a major regional ISP/CLEC and building a nationwide ATM/DSL network. Mr. Howlett is a frequent speaker on computer security and technology topics and has written for SysAdmin, Computer Currents, Windows Web Solutions, Security Administrator, and other magazines.