By default, your Linux Mint installation is quite stable, benefiting from the latest security updates and a secure open source kernel. As Linux is inherently secure, the state of its security depends solely on the person using it. If you leave your system open, intruders will be able to dive right in, regardless of how secure your underlying environment is. Practicing safe security, including choosing secure passwords, configuring your firewall, and hardening your system are just some of the many techniques you can utilize to strengthen the security of your system. While an entire course on computer security could be a book on its own, this chapter will get you started on the path to taking security seriously.

In this chapter, we will discuss the following topics: