Operating System Hardening

Operating system hardening involves protecting an operating system to lower its attack surface and improve its overall security posture. In order to do this, the operating system settings must be configured. Updates and patches must also be installed, unused programs and services must be disabled, and security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software must be put in place.

Operating system hardening reduces the amount of potential attack pathways that hackers might take in an effort to decrease the probability that an attack would be successful. Operating system hardening is an ongoing process that requires regular review and updates to stay current with emerging threats.

Benefits of Operating Systems Hardening

The operating system should be hardened for a number of reasons. These include −

Reduced Risk of Cyber Attacks

The operating system's attack surface is reduced by implementing security measures and removing pointless programs and services, making it more challenging for hackers to penetrate the system.

Better Security Posture

Operating system hardening may boost an organization's overall security posture by lowering the likelihood of a successful cyber-attack.

Compliance

To secure sensitive data, several legal frameworks demand that firms put in place specified security measures. Organizations can achieve these criteria and maintain compliance by hardening their operating systems.

Increased Performance

Eliminating unused applications and services can also enhance operating system performance by lowering system overhead and boosting productivity.

Common Vulnerabilities in Operating System

Operating systems are intricate software programs that are prone to a number of flaws. Common flaws that attackers might take advantage of include −

Weak Passwords

Attackers may quickly and easily exploit weak passwords, which are a widespread vulnerability. Easy-to-guess or break passwords can provide hackers access to a system and jeopardize critical data.

Unpatched Software

Another frequent vulnerability that can be used by attackers is unpatched software. Security weaknesses in outdated software are frequently present and can be used by attackers.

Services and protocols that are not required

Many operating systems come with a number of services and protocols that are activated by default. These services and protocols, however, might not be required for the system to operate effectively and they potentially widen the system's attack surface.

Misconfigured Security Settings

Misconfigured security settings might potentially present a weakness that attackers can take advantage of. A firewall, for instance, might not be able to stop unwanted access to a system if it is not correctly set.

Hardening an Operating System

Implementing a series of security controls that reduce the attack surface and make it more challenging for attackers to obtain unauthorized access to a system constitutes hardening an operating system. The following are some typical procedures for hardening an operating system −

Removing Unneeded Services and Protocols

By removing unused services and protocols, you may lower the attack surface and the likelihood that attackers would use them against you.

Enforcing Strong Password Policies

By making it more challenging for attackers to guess or crack passwords, strong password policies can help prevent unwanted access to a system.

Patching and Upgrading Software

Software patching and upgrading can assist in addressing security holes and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by criminals.

Putting up Security Settings

Setting up security settings for firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection systems can help stop assaults and lessen their effects when they do happen.

Hardening Windows Operating System

"Hardening" a Windows operating system involves putting in place a number of security measures that lessen the attack surface and make it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system. Some common techniques include the following −

Getting Rid of Extraneous Services and Protocols

You may reduce the attack surface and the risk that attackers would use them against you by eliminating unneeded services and protocols.

Enforcing Policies for Strong Passwords

Strong password rules can aid in preventing unauthorized access to a system by making it harder for attackers to guess or break passwords.

Installing and Configuring Antivirus Software

Installing and configuring antivirus software can help protect a computer system from malware and other hazardous applications.

Configuring Firewall Settings

Firewall settings can help prevent unauthorized access to a system by limiting incoming traffic that is not permitted.

Implementing User Account Control

User Account Control (UAC), a security feature, aids in preventing unwanted system alterations by demanding user permission before permitting changes to be done.

Enabling BitLocker

BitLocker activation will aid in protecting critical information from unauthorized access. A full-disk encryption method is called BitLocker.

Configuring Group Policy Settings

Group Policy is a feature that gives administrators access to a network of PCs' settings and configurations. Putting up Group Policy options can help with security rule enforcement and stop unauthorized system changes.

Hardening Linux Operating System

A Linux operating system is "hardened" by putting in place a number of security measures that lessen the attack surface and make it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system. The standard steps for hardening a Linux operating system are shown below.

Getting Rid of Extraneous Services and Protocols

You may reduce the attack surface and the risk that attackers would use them against you by eliminating unneeded services and protocols.

Enforcing Policies for Strong Passwords

Strong password rules can aid in preventing unauthorized access to a system by making it harder for attackers to guess or break passwords.

Installing and Configuring Firewall Software

By blocking incoming traffic that is not allowed, installing and configuring firewall software can help prevent unwanted access to a system.

Configuring User and Group Permissions

Configuring user and group permissions can help stop unauthorized access to sensitive data and files.

Implementing SELinux

The security feature SELinux aids in preventing unauthorized access to a system by applying required access control limitations.

Updating Software Packages

Updates to software packages can help patch security holes and vulnerabilities that hackers might use.

Setting up Auditd

With the help of the Auditd feature, administrators may keep track of and report system events. Setting up Auditd can help you find and fix security flaws.

Tools for Operating System Hardening

A variety of tools that can also increase the efficacy of the process of hardening an operating system may be used to facilitate it. Some widely used tools for operating system hardening are the ones listed below −

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer

Windows systems may be analyzed for security issues and recommendations for system hardening using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer application.

OpenSCAP

This tool may be used to assess the security of Linux systems and provide recommendations for system hardening.

Nessus

This tool may be used to scan Linux and Windows computers for security holes and provide advice for hardening the systems.

Security Configuration Wizard

By adopting security policies, this tool allows Windows machines to be made more secure.

Conclusion

Hardening the operating system is a crucial step in maintaining the security and safety of crucial applications, data, and systems. Organizations may lower the risk of security breaches and secure sensitive data and files by employing a set of security measures that limit the attack surface and make it harder for attackers to obtain unauthorized access to a system. Disabling superfluous services and protocols, enforcing strong password restrictions, patching and upgrading software, and installing security settings like firewalls and intrusion detection systems are some typical actions involved in hardening an operating system. While hardening an operating system, whether Windows or Linux, it's crucial to comprehend common vulnerabilities and put security measures in place to stop attackers from exploiting them. Organizations may reduce the risk of security lapses and safeguard crucial systems, data, and applications by adopting these actions.