Have you just acquired a new Linux server and are wondering how to secure it efficiently? You’re in the right place! In just a few simple steps, you can significantly bolster your server’s security using a single command.

Why Automate Server Security?

Performing initial security settings manually can be a tedious and error-prone task. Automating these steps brings both efficiency and precision, reducing the likelihood of oversights. Here, we will leverage Ansible to streamline this process, while enhancing security features such as disabling root and password logins.

Installation Steps

Here’s how you can execute server security essentials with Ansible easily:

1. Install Ansible on your local computer. If you have updated Python, use the following command:

sudo pip install ansible

2. Clone the repository and modify the hosts file to include the IP address of your servers:

git clone git@github.com:chhantyal5minutes.git 
cd 5minutes 
open -t hosts

3. Change the variable server_user_password in vars.yml with the encrypted password. To generate an encrypted password, run:

sudo pip install passlib
python -c "from passlib.hash import sha512_crypt; import getpass; print(sha512_crypt.encrypt(getpass.getpass()))"

Usage

Now that everything is set up, you can easily invoke the security enhancements. Run the Ansible command from within the 5minutes directory:

ansible-playbook 5minutes.yml -u user_name -K

Enter your server password when prompted, and voila! You’ve secured your server with a single command.

Try with Vagrant

If you’d like to test before implementing it on a live server, you can use Vagrant. There is a provided Vagrantfile:

vagrant up

Remember to change the hosts to 127.1.1.0:2200 (refer to the Vagrant up output for the correct port) and execute:

ansible-playbook 5minutes.yml -u vagrant --private-key .vagrant/machines/default/virtualbox/private_key

Under the Hood

If you’re curious about the magic happening behind the scenes, here’s what the command does:

• Connects to the server using SSH.
• Updates the APT cache.
• Performs an APT upgrade.
• Adds the specified user (with sudo permission).
• Incorporates the specified public key into authorized_keys.
• Disables root SSH access.
• Disables password authentication.
• Installs ufw as a firewall.
• Installs fail2ban to ban potentially harmful IPs.
• Installs logwatch to analyze logs.
• Enables automatic security updates with unattended-upgrades.

Notes

There are a few additional variables that you might want to change in vars.yml:

• server_user_name: Default is trinity.
• server_user_password: Change this password.
• logwatch_email: Defaults to devops@example.com; make sure to modify it to receive reports.
• user_public_keys: Adjust this path if using a different key pair.

Troubleshooting

While the process is designed to be smooth, you might encounter some hiccups. Here are a few troubleshooting ideas:

• If you face connection issues, ensure that the SSH service is running on the server.
• Double check that the IP addresses in the hosts file point to the correct server.
• Make sure your firewall settings allow incoming connections on the necessary ports.
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Conclusion

Securing your Linux server doesn’t have to be a complex chore. With just a few commands and the power of Ansible, you can significantly enhance your server’s security in moments. Embrace automation to keep your focus on more exciting development projects!