Linux is the mainstream UNIX-like platform of choice in the modern world. There are valid open source code base alternatives from which many businesses have benefited from. This is a different approach on both.
Linux VS open source UNIX
How to install Webmin on FreeBSD 12
Webmin is a fantastic tool for those willing to administer UNIX or unix-like systems through a GUI interface. While the CLI interface lets any user to interact with these kind of systems to the very core and extract all the juice, there are tasks where the graphical interface makes sense and its visual and quick […]
How to install OSSEC server on Ubuntu
OSSEC is a host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS). It is specially well known for monitoring files that shouldn’t change on a system (such as critical system files, or binaries, etc) and warning administrators (or anyone you’d like) about those issues. But it does more such as rootkit detection and log analysis with a dedicated engine. […]
How to patch Spectre and Meltdown the ROM way
In a previous article I briefly, sort of, talked about the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities. I have also written two guides to patch them from the OS side using a UNIX flavour from the BSD camp and a GNU/Linux distribution. Both actions resulted successful but there is a third way to patch this vulnerabilities. Regular […]
Abandon Linux. How to export and import FreeBSD Jails ‘a la Docker’
FreeBSD Jails is an awesome tool similar to Docker but much older which allows administrators and developers alike to have several securely contained userland environments sharing one kernel. Does it sound familiar? This is operating-system-level virtualization and it’s different than what you find on KVM or Xen camps. For more detailed information I’ve published some […]
How to install Apache in FreeBSD with pkgng
The Apache Web Server is one of the most widely deployed web servers around the world. There are new and powerful alternatives you may have heard of, such as NGINX which seems to be the coolest thing around lately. There are meaningful differences between the two. Both are great but for example Apache has set […]
Web credentials stealing
The theft of credentials has been occurring since almost the beginning of time. But of course when the web ‘happened’ and specially when e-commerce exploded stealing passwords also went on the rise. Emptying bank accounts, ordering stuff on behalf (and expenses) of others, spying, even impersonation was and is achieved by stealing credentials. Luckily for […]
How to test SSL/TLS configurations
If you are in charge of any site with SSL/TLS conenctions enabled you are always in the chase to get the best possible and most secure configuration. This isn’t always the case and the lack of time does take its toll on many administrators. Those individuals are always asked to do more with less and […]
How to manipulate and use USB drives in FreeBSD
If you are coming from the Windows, Mac or GNU/Linux world using USB drives on the desktop is a piece of cake. You plug it and it works. That’s it. Interoperability between the proprietary world and OSS (Open Source Software) has improved but there’s still a very palpable line. Just grab a new USB drive, […]
How to set CentOS 7 repositories
CentOS is the free open source replica of the well known Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). With a very good reputation because of its stability and performance RHEL is nowadays the dominating GNU/Linux distribution in the enterprise environment. As a gift, in a similar fashion to Microsoft’s Windows trial versions (without limits to the use), […]