How to secure a Ubuntu server with user management

Overview

Security is one of the top considerations when we’re working with computer systems in application installation deployments. The security of these applications and the security of the computer is very essential.

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution that has found relevance in computers and in server usage. Its security is concerned with protecting the server and network from any possible security threat and intruders.

Security by user management

To maintain a secure system, user management is essential. Being in control of who accesses a system or network is important in the protection a system or server.

How to apply user management in Ubuntu

1. After every Ubuntu installation, the administrative root remains in disabled mode. This is made possible by the developers of the system. The administrative root is the basic control unit for Ubuntu operations.

2. The disabled mode here doesn’t mean inaccessibility. Instead, its current password matches no encrypted value. To access the system, we can apply the sudo tool. We do that with the following syntax:

   sudo passwd
   

3. Then sudo requests a new password for the root account:

    [sudo] passwd for username: (enter your own passwd)
   
   Enter new UNIX passwd: (enter a new passwd for root)
   
   Retype new UNIX passwd: (repeat new passwd for root)
   

   When entered properly, you will get the following prompt:

   passwd: password updated successfully
   

   This way, you can now authorize the usage of the Ubuntu system and handle other administrative functions, as well as prevent unauthorized users from accessing the system.

4. We use sudo to enter a unique password, without bothering about the root account password. This gives an unauthorized user the ability to raise privileges in the use of the system by inputting a unique password with no knowledge of the root account password. This way, we can set up the system server upon installation.

5. We can disable the root account password at any time by using the following syntax:

   sudo passwd -l root
   

6. We can disable the root account itself with the syntax below:

   usermod --expiredate 1
   

Conclusion

The Ubuntu server and system security is important. Ubuntu is an open source operating system that’s widely used in the current technology space. User management is appropriate for security because it’s concerned with hindering unauthorized access to the server and computer system.