Linux for Owners

diff --git a/linux_owners.html b/linux_owners.html index 232dddf..1695b2b 100644 --- a/linux_owners.html +++ b/linux_owners.html @@ -1,2101 +1,2122 @@ Linux for Owners

class: center, middle
 
 # Linux for Owners
 
 `https://goo.gl/auQmRB`
 
 ---
 
 # Agenda
 
 1. Owning a Linux system
 2. Course expectations
 3. Linux landscape
 4. Accessing `root`
 5. Linux filesystem structure
 6. Mounting filesystems
 7. Working with the package manager
 8. Installing software from other sources
 9. User management
 10. Examining system state
 11. Working with services
 12. Security considerations
 13. Troubleshooting tips
 
 
 ---
 
 # Owning a Linux system
 
 ## What do we mean by that?
 
 --
 
 .highlight[Administrative privileges] vs a normal account only.
 
 --
 
  Symptoms:
 
 * access to the `root` user, or
 * access to `sudo` (or `su`) commands
 * having installed the system yourself (optional)
 * physical access to the machine (optional)
 
 --
 
 Having admin access usually means you are responsible for 
 .highlight[maintenance and configuration] of the system.
 
 For that, you need a deeper knowledge of how it works.
 
 ---
 
 # Typical ownership scenarios
 
 --
 
 * Linux installed as main OS on a desktop or laptop machine
 
   * Scenarios: work requirement, curiosity, alternative OS
   * Typically means a graphical environment
 
 --
 
 * Linux used as a virtual machine guest
 
   * Scenarios: experimentation, sandbox, development
   * Safe way to try OSes and configurations
 
 --
 
 * Linux used as a server
 
   * Can be bare-metal or virtualized
   * Typically means a CLI environment (over SSH)
 
 --
 
 * Linux appliance / IoT
 
 * Android (which you usually don't own!)
 
 ---
 
 # Typical responsibilities
 
 --
 
 * Installing new software as needed
 
 * Configuring software and access to hardware
 
 * Updating software & OS
 
 * Securing the system and installed software
 
 * Solving problems as they appear
 
 ---
 
 # Course expectations
 
 This is a crash-course limited to one day.
 
 * You are expected to know the basics of working with Linux.
   At a minimum, working with command line and editing files from it.
 
 * You were asked to prepare a VM with Linux, that way you can
   safely try admin commands and reboot the OS without affecting
   your main system.
 
 * Some commands can differ per Linux "flavour". The course sticks
   to Ubuntu / Debian, and may need to be adapted to other
   distributions.
 
 * The course is intended to be an introduction; to dig deeper
   into topics you'll need to do your own research.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux landscape: What's a distribution?
 
 "Linux" is the name of the OS kernel, and needs a lot of other software
   to be a functional operating system.
 
 One can, in principle, assemble this collection of software themselves:
   such an approach is called Linux From Scratch.
 
 --
 
 It's long, requires in-depth knowledge of the system and most importantly
   leaves keeping the system up to date to the user.
 
 A better approach is to use a .highlight[distribution], which offers:
 
 * A curated collection of software tested to work together.
 * A .highlight[package manager] to automate software install tasks.
 * Pre-compiled software for faster installation.
 * Security updates and fixes for critical bugs.
 * Varying balance between stability and faster updates.
 * _Optional:_ paid support.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux landscape: Popular distributions
 
 There are many families of distributions, sharing package managers
   and maybe parts of the package collection.
 --
 
 * Debian (package manager: `apt` / .deb packages)
   * Ubuntu
       * Kubuntu, Lubuntu, ...
       * Linux Mint
   * Kali, Tails, Devuan
 --
 
 * RHEL (package manager: `yum` / .rpm packages)
   * Fedora
   * CentOS, Scientific Linux
   * SUSE, OpenSUSE
 --
 
 * Arch Linux (package manager: `pacman`)
   * Manjaro Linux
 * Gentoo (package manager: Portage / `emerge`)
   * Chrome OS
 * Alpine Linux
 * ...
 
 ---
 
 # Linux landscape: Rolling / Static / LTS
 
 Various Linux distributions take different approaches to software updates.
 
 Programs update at their own pace, called "upstream".
 
 --
 
 .highlight[Rolling distributions] try to keep up with upstream version
   updates, with minimal changes to keep it compatible with
   the rest of the software stack.
 
 --
 
 .highlight[Static distributions] lock down software versions at the time
   of release, in order to provide more testing and stability.
 
 --
 
 However, critical bugfixes and security patches have to be ported back
   "downstream" to those "frozen" versions.
 
 Some static distributions have .highlight[Long Term Support] releases that
   guarantee longer availability of such patches.
 
 ---
 
 # Assuming superpowers
 
 How do administrative powers work in Linux?
 
 Compared to regular users, the user with ID 0, or .highlight[`root`],
   is treated as .highlight[superuser]: it has the ability
   to bypass all usual access restrictions.
 
 --
 
 In some Linux distributions a password for `root` is set
   at install time and can be used to log in directly.
 
 However, most of the time users with administrative privileges
   will have access to use .highlight[`sudo` command].
 
 .mnemonic[
 `sudo` stands for ".highlight[su]peruser .highlight[do]", because it executes some
   other command as superuser instead of current user.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Assuming superpowers: `sudo`
 
 .center[
   ![XKCD on sudo](assets/sandwich.png)
 ]
 
 _Image credit:_ [XKCD #149](https://xkcd.com/149/)
 
 ---
 
 # Assuming superpowers: `sudo`
 
 `sudo [command]` executes the command as `root` instead of the current user:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ whoami
 owner
 owner@linux:~$ sudo whoami
 [sudo] password for owner:
 ```
 
 --
 
 Normally, `sudo` asks for authentication: it requires you to supply
   .highlight[your own] password (not the `root` password!).
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo whoami
 [sudo] password for owner: <type in owner's password>
 root
 owner@linux:~$
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Assuming superpowers: `sudo`
 
 `sudo` remembers that you have authenticated,
   and subsequent commands do not require password for 15 minutes:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo whoami
 root
 owner@linux:~$
 ```
 
 --
 
 If you need to do a lot of stuff as root, you can use `sudo -i`
 to start a login shell as `root`:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo -i
 root@linux:~# whoami
 root
 root@linux:~#
 ```
 
 .mnemonic[
 `-i` is short for .highlight[interactive]
 ]
 
 _Reference:_ `man sudo_root`
 
 ---
 
 # To root or not to root
 
 Forgetting `sudo` before a command that requires it
   can be jarring. Therefore, there is great temptation
   to use a `root` shell when mostly admin tasks are involved.
 
 --
 
 Problem is, there are no "handrails" on what the `root` user can do.
   It's far too easy to shoot oneself in the foot.
 
 An error in a program run under `root` can break critical parts
   of the system, which won't happen under a regular user.
 
 --
 
 From a security perspective, running complex, or untrusted,
   programs under `root` opens you up for malicious actions as well.
 
 ---
 
 # To root or not to root: a horror story
 
 Running this command as a `root` is a classic mean prank:
 
 ```
 root@linux:~# rm -rf /
 rm: it is dangerous to operate recursively on '/'
 rm: use --no-preserve-root to override this failsafe
 ```
 
 Fortunately, as written it doesn't work, there's a failsafe.
 
 --
 
 However, consider this line:
 
 ```
 (DO NOT RUN THIS)
 root@linux:~# rm -rf $FOLDER/*
 ```
 
 This is supposed to delete everything in folder `$FOLDER`.
 
 But in case that variable is unset, it will happily destroy everything on the system — if run as `root`.
 
 ---
 
 # To root or not to root
 
 In addition, if files are created while running as `root`
   it usually leads to them being inaccessible by normal users.
 
 This can lead to errors when running the same commands later
   as a normal user.
 
 --
 
 Most workflows are a mixture of commands that require superuser and those that don't.
 
 It's good practice to be aware of it and run only those parts that need it with `sudo`.
 
 --
 
 It's not a hard rule. Running a set of commands as `root` has its place,
   but one needs to be careful and mindful of the above nuances.
 
 ---
 
 # root and SSH
 
 By default, even if you set a password for the `root` user,
   you won't be able to connect via SSH with this password.
 
 This is done to discourage brute-forcing the `root` password.
 
 --
 
 This encourages people to connect as their user and elevate
   with `sudo` if necessary. This creates more meaningful logs.
 
 
 Also, if your SSH key is compromised but your user password is not,
   the attacker won't be able to elevate to `root` even if
   they can connect.
 
 --
 
 It's still possible to connect directly as `root` by weakening
   the security (bad idea) or adding an SSH key to the `root`
   account. However, previous warnings apply.
 
 ---
 
 # How is `sudo` configured?
 
 What enables certain users to use `sudo`?
 
 By default, members of a specific group
   (e.g. `sudo`, `admin`, `wheel`)
   are allowed all `root` privileges after verifying their password.
 
 --
 
 There's a `/etc/sudoers` file describing the system policy.
 
 It can be fine-tuned to allow some users access only to
   specific commands, or dropping the password requirement.
 
 .advice[
   When editing `sudoers` file, always use the `visudo` script.
     It sanity-checks changes so that you don't lock yourself out.
 ]
 
 _References:_ `man sudoers`,
   [Understanding the sudoers file](https://medium.com/@viraj.khatavkar/understanding-the-sudoers-file-8d71961b28ac)
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: inspect the `sudoers` file
 
 .exercise[
 1. Try examining the contents of `/etc/sudoers` file:
 
   ```
   owner@linux:~$ less /etc/sudoers
   ```
 
 2. Explain the problem
 
 3. Fix the problem (using `sudo`)
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Bonus: violating the `sudoers` policy
 
 .center[ ![](assets/incident.png) ]
 
 _Image credit:_ [XKCD #838](https://xkcd.com/838/)
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem map: what goes where?
 
 Before we proceed, it's important to understand
   common filesystem locations in Linux.
 
 It differs a little from distribution to distribution,
   but generally systems adhere to the
   .highlight[Filesystem Hierarcy Standard], or FHS (3.0 currently).
 
 Not every entry in the standard will be explained, but "points of interest"
   will be shown.
 
 _References:_ 
   [Wikipedia entry on FHS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filesystem_Hierarchy_Standard),
   [FHS 3.0 specification](http://refspecs.linuxfoundation.org/FHS_3.0/fhs-3.0.html)
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: a common tree
 
 Under UNIX conventions, there's only a single filesystem tree visible in the system.
 
 There can be multiple disks, or multiple partitions on those disks, each with its
   own filesystem trees, but to be usable they are inserted in the common file tree
   as subtrees:
 
 .center[ ![](assets/mount.svg) ]
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: a common tree
 
 .center[ ![](assets/mount.svg) ]
 
 This process is called .highlight[mounting].
 You can examine currently mounted filesystems with the `mount` command:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ mount
 sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
 proc on /proc type proc (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
 [...]
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: `/home` sweet home
 
 As a user, you're probably familiar with .highlight[`/home`].
 
 Home directories for each user are usually stored there:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ echo $HOME
 /home/owner
 owner@linux:~$ ls -l /home/
 total 6
 drwxr-xr-x 4 owner  owner  4096 Jan 14 00:03 owner
 drwxr-xr-x 2 user   user   4096 Jan 15 18:31 user
 ```
 
 The `root` user is an exception:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo -i
 root@linux:~# echo $HOME
 /root
 ```
 
 This is done to help with troubleshooting, if `/home` is a separate filesystem
   and something goes wrong with it.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: configuration, _et cetera_
 
 We have already saw .highlight[`/etc`] mentioned
   when we looked at `sudoers` policy.
 
 In fact, by convention all .highlight[system-wide configuration] files
   are stored there, often grouped into folders by topic/program.
 
 Most files are only writable by `root`, and some highly-sensitive
   ones, like `/etc/sudoers`, are not readable by anyone else.
 
 .note[
   User-specific configuration (and persistent state) is usually stored
     in the user's home folder as hidden files/folders,
     e.g. `/home/owner/.bashrc`
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ ls -a ~
 .  ..  .bash_history  .bash_logout  .bashrc  .cache  .gnupg  .local  .ssh ...
 ```
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: where software lives
 
 Executable (.highlight["binary"]) files for software installed system-wide is read-only
   for regular users and is organized in (up to) 3 tiers of hierarchy of .highlight[`sbin`/`bin`] folders:
 
 * .highlight[`/`]`sbin`, .highlight[`/`]`bin` - essential system software
 
 --
 * .highlight[`/usr/`]`sbin`, .highlight[`/usr/`]`bin` - more software that's part of the OS
 
 --
 * .highlight[`/usr/local/`]`sbin`, .highlight[`/usr/local/`]`bin` - additional software
 
 --
 
 These locations can have `lib` and `include` folders
   for library and header files, and `share` folders
   for program data.
 
 --
 
 Finally, .highlight[`/opt`] provides a location for installing extra
   software without interfering with `/usr`.
 
 --
 
 In practice, the difference between these locations is not very well
   defined. Some distributions don't differentiate at all.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: not-quite-files
 
 Several locations on the filesystem contain virtual "files"
   that can be read and/or written to, but represent something else.
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/dev`] contains .highlight[device] files that serve
   as interfaces to hardware that the kernel sees and has drivers for;
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/proc`] contains information and interfaces to control
   running .highlight[processes] and some kernel systems;
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/sys`] contains kernel and .highlight[system] information
    and interfaces to control it. It's a newer method than `/proc`.
 
 Those locations are, again, usually read-only (or not accessible)
   to regular users.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: variable and temporary
 
 Besides fixed program data, the filesystem has locations for
   .highlight[variable] data, like temporary files and persistent state.
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/var`] represents variable data. A couple notable folders:
   * .highlight[`/var/log`] for system logs
   * .highlight[`/var/lib`] for data modified by programs, e.g. databases
 
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/run`] contains state information since startup.
 * .highlight[`/tmp`] is for temporary data, and is user-writable.
 
 Both `/run` and `/tmp` locations are emptied on boot, and in fact usually exist only in memory.
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/var/tmp`] is also for temporary data, but it survives reboot.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: other storage
 
 When extra storage is connected to the system, there are conventional
   places to add it to the filesystem.
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/media`] is populated with filesystems from removable storage
   added to the system: USB drives, CD disks, etc.
 
   Often, such devices are added to `/media` automatically.
 
 --
 
 * .highlight[`/mnt`] is the traditional place to mount additional filesystems
   temporarily.
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: where everything starts
 
 Last but not least, .highlight[`/boot`] contains essential files to initialize Linux
   when the computer starts up.
 
 Typical contents:
 
 * `/boot/grub/` contains .highlight[bootloader] components
 * `/boot/vmlinuz*` files are compressed Linux kernels
 * `/boot/initrd*` files are initial filesystems that are used until "real" root becomes available
 
 --
 
 .note[
   On some OS configurations, `/boot` is a small separate filesystem. Since it usually contains
     several versions of the kernel as a backup, in worst case it can run out of space.
 
   In that case, you'll need to clean up older kernels before installing new versions.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Linux filesystem: parts, assemble!
 
 As mentioned, the .highlight[`mount`] command can be used to list currently-mounted filesystems.
 
 --
 
 To mount a filesystem, .highlight[`mount [WHAT] [WHERE]`] format is used.
 
 Here, `[WHAT]` identifies where the filesystem can be accessed (e.g. a physical drive partition),
   and `[WHERE]` identifies the directory where its contents should be mapped.
 
 --
 
 To unmount a filesystem, .highlight[`umount [WHAT]`] (or `umount [WHERE]`) command can be used.
 Typically, only `root` can mount or unmount.
 
 --
 
 For permanent mount rules, e.g. what gets mounted on boot, see the .highlight[`/etc/fstab`] file.
 
 _References:_ `man mount`, `man umount`, `man fstab`
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: adding a filesystem
 
 Let's see `mount` and `fstab` in action. We'll create a file that holds a small
   filesystem, mount it, and then set it up to mount automatically at boot.
 
 Let's create a 100MB file and an ext4 filesystem on it:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ truncate -s 100m loop_file
 owner@linux:~$ mkfs.ext4 loop_file
 ```
 
 Then, let's create a mount point (where the filesystem will be mapped):
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo mkdir /mnt/tiny
 owner@linux:~$ ls -la /mnt/tiny/
 total 8
 drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 16 09:50 .
 drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 Jan 16 09:50 ..
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: mounting a filesystem
 
 Let's mount our tiny filesystem.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo mount /home/owner/loop_file /mnt/tiny
 owner@linux:~$ mount | grep tiny
 /home/owner/loop_file on /mnt/tiny type ext4 (rw,relatime,data=ordered)
 ```
 
 As a regular user, we can't write to it:
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ touch /mnt/tiny/test
 touch: cannot touch '/mnt/tiny/test': Permission denied
 ```
 
 Let's make it writable:
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo chmod a+w /mnt/tiny/
 owner@linux:~$ touch /mnt/tiny/test
 owner@linux:~$ ls -la /mnt/tiny/
 total 17
 drwxrwxrwx 3 root  root   1024 Jan 16 10:56 ./
 drwxr-xr-x 3 root  root   4096 Jan 16 09:50 ../
 drwx------ 2 root  root  12288 Jan 16 09:49 lost+found/
 -rw-r--r-- 1 owner owner     0 Jan 16 10:56 test
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: unmounting a filesystem
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ ls -la /mnt/tiny/
 total 17
 drwxrwxrwx 3 root  root   1024 Jan 16 10:56 ./
 drwxr-xr-x 3 root  root   4096 Jan 16 09:50 ../
 drwx------ 2 root  root  12288 Jan 16 09:49 lost+found/
 -rw-r--r-- 1 owner owner     0 Jan 16 10:56 test
 ```
 
 Let's unmount the filesystem and examine the situation again:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo umount /mnt/tiny/
 owner@linux:~$ ls -la /mnt/tiny/
 total 8
 drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 Jan 16 09:50 .
 drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 Jan 16 09:50 ..
 ```
 
 Our file is not there.
 
 Note that the mount point is not writable by all,
   as our `chmod` command affected the tiny filesystem's root folder
   and not the mount point.
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: add to `fstab`
 
 Let's add our mount to `fstab`.
 
 .advice[
   You can edit configuration files with `sudo nano <FILENAME>` (or other editor),
     but it's better to use `sudoedit <FILENAME>`.
   
   See [sudoedit: why use it over sudo vi?](https://superuser.com/questions/785187/sudoedit-why-use-it-over-sudo-vi) for an explanation.
 ]
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudoedit /etc/fstab
 ```
 
 It opens a file with already one or more records present.
 We need to add one.
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: `fstab` format
 
 An `fstab` record contains whitespace-separated fields:
 
 * [file system] - where to find the filesystem
 * [mount point] - where to map it in the system
 * [type] - what type of filesystem it is (`-t` flag)
 * [options] - various settings you can tweak (`-o` flag)
 * [dump] - 0/1, setting for a very old backup solution  
   **In practice, always 0**
 * [pass] - order to check the filesystem for errors on boot
 
 Let's add our filesystem, at the end of the file:
 
 ```
 /home/owner/loop_file /mnt/tiny ext4 defaults 0 2
 ```
 
 Take care not to modify other entries. Save and exit.
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: filesystem in `fstab`
 
 Now that our example is in `fstab`, we can mount it easier:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo mount /mnt/tiny/
 owner@linux:~$ ls /mnt/tiny
 lost+found  test
 ```
 
 You can mount all filesystems in `fstab` at once with `mount -a`.
 
 Further, our example should now be accessible after a reboot.
 To prevent automatic mounting at boot time, use `noauto` option.
 
 .note[
   To be able to mount a filesystem, corresponding drivers/utilities need
     to be installed. If you fail to mount something, like a network drive,
     check installed packages.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Remark: mounting network filesystems
 
 Mounting filesystems over the network works similarly.
 
 Note that you usually need to install protocol specific packages, e.g.
 
 * `cifs-utils` for Windows / SMB shares (`\\server\folder\`)
 * `nfs-common` for UNIX-style NFS shares (`server:/path`)
 * `sshfs` for mounting remote folders over SSH
 
 ---
 
 # Working with the package manager
 
 To simplify software installation, updates and removal,
   distributions provide a .highlight[package manager]
   and a collection of "official" packages.
 
 Command examples for `apt`, Debian/Ubuntu package manager,
   will be shown, but principles apply to other managers.
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: software sources
 
 To install software, `apt` needs up-to-date information
   about packages that are available.
 
 .highlight[`/etc/apt/sources.list`] contains the information
   on .highlight[repositories] to get information from for system packages.
 
 --
 
 A command needs to be run to update a local catalog
   of package information:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~ $ sudo apt update
 [...]
 Get:8 http://ch.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic-security/universe amd64 Packages [112 kB]
 Fetched 1798 kB in 1s (1768 kB/s)
 Reading package lists... Done
 Building dependency tree
 Reading state information... Done
 12 packages can be upgraded. Run 'apt list --upgradable' to see them.
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: upgrading installed packages
 
 Use .highlight[`apt upgrade`] command to install updates `apt` is aware of.
 
 --
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt upgrade
 Reading package lists... Done
 Building dependency tree       
 Reading state information... Done
 Calculating upgrade... Done
 The following packages will be upgraded:
   gjs gnome-software gnome-software-common gnome-software-plugin-snap gvfs
   gvfs-backends gvfs-bin gvfs-common gvfs-daemons gvfs-fuse gvfs-libs libgjs0g
   libsmbclient libwbclient0 linux-firmware samba-libs ubuntu-software
 17 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
 Need to get 71.6 MB/74.6 MB of archives.
 After this operation, 3'258 kB of additional disk space will be used.
 Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 
 ```
 
 After confirmation, `apt` will download and apply updates.
 
 --
 
 .note[
   Sometimes, an upgrade needs to remove some (replaced) packages.
   In that case, `apt dist-upgrade` is used.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: to upgrade or not to upgrade?
 
 Static distributions like Ubuntu only update packages
   when serious bugfixes or security fixes are needed,
   with little to no functionality changes.
 
 As such, it's usually safe to upgrade OS-provided packages.
 
 --
 
 If you're using a rolling distribution, or a third-party
   repository, they can introduce breaking changes.
 Be prepared and read available changelogs to determine when to upgrade.
 
 --
 
 If you need to stop a particular package from upgrading,
   you can put it on .highlight[hold]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt-mark hold bash
 bash set on hold.
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt-mark unhold bash
 Canceled hold on bash.
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: when to upgrade?
 
 For most updates, upgrades will not disrupt normal workflow
   and can be applied at any time.
 
 Note that upgrading running services (e.g. a web server)
   requires them to restart, briefly becoming unavailable.
   You may need to plan your maintenance in advance.
 
 --
 
 Some upgrades (mostly kernel updates) can't be applied without
   a reboot. The system will nag you about it, but you won't
   be forced to reboot.
 
 --
 
 General advice for any software updates: be prepared
   to spend some time dealing with unexpected problems.
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: Finding system packages
 
 If you're missing some software and it's available
   in OS repositories, it's very easy to install.
 
 The shell can even .highlight[suggest the package] you're missing:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ fortune
 
 Command 'fortune' not found, but can be installed with:
 
 sudo apt install fortune-mod
 ```
 
 Otherwise, you can .highlight[search known packages] by package name or description
   with .highlight[`apt search`]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ apt search cow
 [..long list..]
 owner@linux:~$ apt search --names-only cow
 [..shorter list..]
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: Installing system packages
 
 Once you know the name of the package(s), you can install them with
   .highlight[`apt install`]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt install fortune-mod cowsay
 Reading package lists... Done
 Building dependency tree       
 Reading state information... Done
 The following additional packages will be installed:
   fortunes-min librecode0
 Suggested packages:
   filters cowsay-off fortunes
 The following NEW packages will be installed:
   cowsay fortune-mod fortunes-min librecode0
 0 upgraded, 4 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
 Need to get 638 kB of archives.
 After this operation, 2'220 kB of additional disk space will be used.
 Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 
 ```
 
 After confirmation, `apt` will download and install them.
 
 ---
 
 # Bonus: just what did we just install?!
 
 Let's test the software we just installed.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ fortune | cowsay
 
  _____________________________________
 / Truth is the most valuable thing we \
 | have -- so let us economize it.     |
 |                                     |
 \ -- Mark Twain                       /
  -------------------------------------
         \   ^__^
          \  (oo)\_______
             (__)\       )\/\
                 ||----w |
                 ||     ||
 ```
 
 .exercise[
   This could look better: we're missing some pretty colors.
 
   Find the package that provides the `lolcat` application,
     install it and pipe the output through it.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: dependency resolution
 
 Let's look at that `apt install` output again.
 
 ```
 The following additional packages will be installed:
   fortunes-min librecode0
 Suggested packages:
   filters cowsay-off fortunes
 The following NEW packages will be installed:
   cowsay fortune-mod fortunes-min librecode0
 0 upgraded, 4 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
 ```
 
 Often, packages require other packages (e.g. libraries, data files)
   to be installed to function. The package manager's job is to find
   and install everything that's needed.
 
 .note[
   Rarely, a package is incompatible with already installed ones.
     You will then be offered to remove packages to resolve this.
     In that case, proceed with caution.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: getting rid of them
 
 If you no longer need a package, you can use .highlight[`apt remove`]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt remove fortune-mod
 Reading package lists... Done
 Building dependency tree
 Reading state information... Done
 The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required
   fortunes-min librecode0
 Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
 The following packages will be REMOVED:
   fortune-mod
 0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 12 not upgraded.
 After this operation, 110 kB disk space will be freed.
 Do you want to continue? [Y/n]
 ```
 
 After confirmation, the program will be removed,
   but its configuration files will remain in case you reinstall.
 
 --
 
 If you want to completely clean up the package, use .highlight[`apt purge`]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt purge fortune-mod
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: orphaned dependencies
 
 Take note of these lines in `apt remove` output:
 
 ```
 The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required
   fortunes-min librecode0
 ```
 
 `apt` is informing you that `fortunes-min` and `librecode0` were installed
   as dependencies, but .highlight[nothing requires them anymore].
 
 Therefore, it's highly likely that they can be removed without affecting anything.
   However, `apt` doesn't do that automatically.
 
 To allow `apt` to do that, use .highlight[`apt autoremove`]:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt autoremove
 [...]
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Packages: getting information
 
 If you want to know more about a package, you can query for information.
 
 --
 
 .highlight[`apt show`] displays metadata about a package,
   and .highlight[`apt policy`] shows installed and available versions.
 
 --
 
 .highlight[`dpkg -L <package>`] shows all files a certain installed package provides.
 Conversely, .highlight[`dpkg -S <file>`] shows what package a file comes from.
 
 --
 
 .exercise[
   Find out what package `whoami` is from, what other programs are provided
     by this package and its dependencies.
 ]
 
 ---
 
+# Automatic upgrades
+
+In Debian, automatic upgrades are provided by `unattended-upgrades`
+  package.
+
+Its behavior defaults to automatically installing security updates.
+
+It can be tuned by editing its configuration file:
+
+```
+owner@linux:~$ sudoedit /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades
+```
+
+---
+
 # Other sources for software
 
 What if you're not satisfied with the official OS
   packages, what are other ways you can install software?
 
 --
 
 * Compatible pre-made packages (including closed source)
 
 * Third-party repositories
 
 * Building from source
 
 ---
 
 # Compatible packages
 
 `apt` is built upon `dpkg`, which expects .highlight[`.deb` (or "Debian")] packages.
 
 If software provides `.deb` files, it's likely you can install them.
 
 --
 
 Gotchas:
 
 * The architecture must match (i386 / amd64 / arm / ...)
 
 * It may expect dependencies that are too old / too new / not available
   if it was built for another distribution or release
 
 --
 
 If you have a `.deb` file, you can install it with `apt`,
   pulling dependencies if needed (failing if impossible):
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ apt install ./something.deb
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Third-party repositories
 
 Installing a single pre-built package means upgrading
   it is fully manual. This is inconvenient and insecure.
 
 --
 
 Many projects provide a third-party repository.
   Adding it to apt's `sources.list` allows easy installation
   and automated updates.
 
 In fact, many popular `.deb` installers automatically
   add their  respective repository as well.
 
 --
 
 This is a common way to install newer software versions
   in a static distribution.
 
 ---
 
 # Aside: `/etc/**.d`
 
 `/etc/` contains many subfolders of the form `something.d`.
 
 This is a convention to allow splitting configuration files
   into multiple smaller files.
 
 --
 
 `sources.list` follows this convention: besides the main file,
   everything matching `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/*.list` will
   be used.
 
 It is a good practice to create new `.list` files for
   third-party repostitories.
 
 ---
 
 # Adding a software source
 
 Let's go to https://nginx.org/ and locate the repository for newest
   (mainline) version.
 
 --
 
 Strings to add (for Ubuntu 18.04):
 ```
 deb http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/ubuntu/ bionic nginx
 deb-src http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/ubuntu/ bionic nginx
 ```
 
 .exercise[
   (Optional) If your OS is Debian but not Ubuntu 18.04, find the correct deb string.
 
   Create a new file `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/nginx.list` with those lines.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Package management: security matters
 
 If we try to download package information from the newly-added repository,
   it will fail:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt update
 [...]
 Err:5 http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/ubuntu bionic InRelease
   The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not
 available: NO_PUBKEY ABF5BD827BD9BF62
 [...]
 ```
 
 --
 
 All repository information must be signed by keys trusted by `apt`.
   We do not trust the key used by nginx.org yet.
 
 To fix, we need to download it [as instructed](https://nginx.org/en/linux_packages.html#mainline) and add it to `apt`:
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ wget https://nginx.org/keys/nginx_signing.key
 [...]
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt-key add nginx_signing.key
 OK
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Installing from a new repository
 
 Before we can install software, we need to update our local
   `apt` database:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt update
 [...]
 owner@linux:~$ sudo apt install -y nginx
 [...]
 ```
 
 We can confirm that `apt` installed a version
   from nginx.org by consulting `apt policy`:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ nginx -v
 nginx version: nginx/1.15.8
 owner@linux:~$ apt policy nginx
 [...]
  *** 1.15.8-1~bionic 500
     500 http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/ubuntu bionic/nginx amd64 Packages
 [...]
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Ubuntu-specific: PPAs
 
 Personal Package Archives are a special class of third-party repositories
   indigenous to Ubuntu, hosted by Canonical.
 
 They are easier to set up than manually adding the `deb` lines to `sources.list`
   and manually importing keys.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/telegram
 ```
 
 Otherwise, they function identical to 3rd-party repositories.
 
 ---
 
 # Installing from source
 
 Some software we want may not have a ready binary package.
 
 In that case, we must download its source, build and install it.
 
 --
 
 How to do that differs greatly, but common workflow is:
 
 * Download the source
 * Check INSTALL or README files for requirements
 * Install dependencies
 * Run a configure script
 * Run `make` to build the software
 * Run `sudo make install` to install it
 
 ---
 
 # Guessing dependencies
 
 If you're lucky, dependencies are specified in terms of package names.
 
 --
 
 Often, they are not; as an example, what if the configure script
 complains about a missing library `foo`? Or the build step can't find
 `foo.h`?
 
 --
 
 1. Remember that `apt search` is your friend.
 
 2. Debian packages for libraries are normally called `libfoo*`.
 
 3. For compilation, you need header files for libraries.
   By convention, those are named `libfoo-dev`.
 
 --
 
 When everything else fails, Google it!
 
 ---
 
 # Example: install Singularity
 
 We'll try installing Singularity
 
 .exercise[
   Follow instructions to install Singularity at
     https://www.sylabs.io/guides/2.6/user-guide/installation.html#install-a-specific-release
 
   Use `VER="2.6.1"`
 
   Dependencies:
   
   `build-essential squashfs-tools libarchive-dev`
 ]
 
 --
 
 Let's test it!
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ singularity run docker://godlovedc/lolcow
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Bonus: Universal Install Script
 
 .center[
   ![:scale 50%](assets/universal_install_script.png)
 ]
 
 _Image credit:_ [XKCD #1654](https://xkcd.com/1654/)
 
 ---
 
 # User management
 
 A .highlight[user] is a basic unit of access control;
   it has a set of credentials to access the system
   and .highlight[owns] some files on it.
 
 A .highlight[group] is a collection of users to facilitate shared access to resources.
   A user can belong to many groups but one group is considered primary.
 
 As an admin, you may need to add/delete users and change their rights and passwords.
 
 This intro only covers the basic scenario of local users and groups.
 
 ---
 
 # User and group information
 
 For local users and groups, their information is stored in:
 
 * `/etc/passwd` - users, their primary groups and basic settings
 * `/etc/shadow` - hashed user passwords and expiration data
 * `/etc/group` - group and their members
 
 .advice[
   Do not edit these files directly; use specialized utilities.
 ]
 
 --
 
 You can use .highlight[`getent <database>`] to access these lists, or `getent <database> <id>`
   to get a specific record.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ getent passwd owner
 owner:x:1001:1001:,,,:/home/owner:/bin/bash
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Changing passwords
 
 Any user can change their own password with `passwd`, if they can provide their current one:
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ passwd
 Changing password for owner.
 (current) UNIX password:
 Enter new UNIX password:
 Retype new UNIX password:
 passwd: password updated successfully
 ```
 
 --
 
 Superuser can change any account's password without knowing the current one:
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ sudo passwd owner
 Enter new UNIX password:
 Retype new UNIX password:
 passwd: password updated successfully
 ```
 
 ---
 
 # Aside: home folder encryption
 
 If a user's home folder is encrypted, the decryption key is protected
   with their password.
 
 In case the user changes their own password, the decryption key is
   automatically re-encrypted using the provided old password.
 
 In case of an admin password change, the user's old password will
   still be needed to unlock the decryption key.
 
 ---
 
 # Editing users, groups and their relation
 
 To add a user, use .highlight[`adduser <user>`]; it will interactively ask for information.
 
 By default, it will automatically create a new home folder and a primary group
   with the same name and one member.
 
 --
 
 To add a group, use .highlight[`addgroup <group>`].
 
 To add an existing user to a group, .highlight[`adduser <user> <group>`]
 
 --
 
 To remove a user from a group, use .highlight[`deluser <user> <group>`]
 
 Users and groups are deleted with .highlight[`deluser <user>`] and .highlight[`delgroup <group>`]
 
 _Reference:_ `man adduser`, `man deluser`
 
 ---
 
 # The `skel`-eton of a home
 
 When a new user's home folder is created, it's possible to
   automatically populate its contents.
 
 Contents of `/etc/skel` are used as a template.
 
 They are copied to the new home folder
   and changed to be owned by the new user.
 
 ---
 
 # Exercise: adding a user
 
 .exercise[
 1. Create a user `test_user`
 
 2. Change to that user with `su - test_user`
 
 3. Try using `sudo`
 
 4. Add the user to `sudo` group
 
 5. Try again
 
 6. Delete the user (with `--remove-home`)
 ]
 
 .note[
   A change in user's groups only fully applies if they log out
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Examining your system
 
 An important part of Linux administration is being able to
   gather information about the running system.
 
 In this section multiple ways to do that are presented.
 
 ---
 
 # What's the hardware?
 
 Common commands to gather info about the hardware:
 
 * .highlight[`cat /proc/cpuinfo`] and .highlight[`lscpu`] present CPU information
 
 * .highlight[`lspci`] shows devices connected to the system bus
 
 * .highlight[`lsusb`] shows devices connected via USB
 
 * .highlight[`lsblk`] shows storage devices and their partitions
 
 * .highlight[`lshw`] shows a hierarchical view of all hardware
 
 * .highlight[`dmidecode`] shows information reported by the motherboard
 
 .exercise[
   Try them all out; they should be run as `root`
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # What are the network settings?
 
 `ip` is the command to access networking information in modern Linux systems.
 
 For example, `ip a` shows addresses assigned to all interfaces.
 
 Basic network settings are accessible through `/etc/networks`.
 
 ---
 
 # Are we running out of space?
 
 .highlight[`df -h`] (for "disk free") shows how much space is used per filesystem.
 
 .note[
   Ext filesystems reserve part of available space for emergency use by `root`.
     It will show up as used.
     
   The amount can be changed on the fly with `tune2fs`.
 ]
 
 --
 
 .highlight[`free -h`] shows information about used memory.
 
 Note the difference between "free" (unused) and "available" (ready to be emptied) memory.
 
 As such, low _free_ memory is not cause for concern.
 
 _Reference:_ [Reserved space for root on a filesystem - why?](https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/7950/reserved-space-for-root-on-a-filesystem-why)
 
 ---
 
 # What's eating all the space?
 
 The command .highlight[`du`] (for "disk usage") allows for calculation of real size of folders.
 
 * .highlight[`du -h <path>`] calculates all folder sizes recursively from provided path.
 
 * `-s` provides a summary: only the total for the path.
 
 * `-d <level>` provides numbers up to `<level>` deep
 
 * `-x` stops `du` from crossing into different filesystems  
 (very useful for `/`)
 
 .exercise[
   Try `du -h -d 1 ~` to measure use of your home folder
 ]
 
 --
 
 A friendlier interface for the same task is `ncdu`.
 
 ---
 
 # How's the load?
 
 .highlight[`uptime`] shows how long the system has been running,
   as well as how busy the CPU is.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ uptime
  10:04:17 up  1:03,  1 user,  load average: 0.08, 0.02, 0.01
 ```
 
 --
 
 In this example, the system has been running for 1h3m.
 
 --
 
 Load average can be seen as a ratio of scheduled CPU tasks vs idle time
   in a given time window (1, 5, and 15 minutes).
 
 Ideally, this ratio should not be much more than amount of virtual cores in the system.
 
 --
 
 It also lists number of logged-in users. They are listed by .highlight[`who`].
 
 ---
 
 # What's running?
 
 .highlight[`ps`] is a utility to list running processes in the system.
 
 Its output is highly tunable; my personal preference is .highlight[`ps aux`] for all processes on the system.
 
 --
 
 A more intuitive overview can be obtained with .highlight[`pstree -u`], which shows processes by parent-child relation.
 
 --
 
 For automation purposes, `pgrep` is also useful.
 
 ---
 
 # What's hogging all the CPU / RAM?
 
 .highlight[`top`] is a monitor of system resources.
 
 It allows to quickly see what's using up system resources.
 
 A nicer modern version is .highlight[`htop`].
 
 ---
 
 # What is keeping things open?
 
 .highlight[`lsof`] is a tool to see all open files and file-like objects
   by processes.
 
 .highlight[`lsof <path>`] shows processes keeping files under `<path>` open.
 
 .highlight[`lsof -i`] displays all open network ports.
 
 ---
 
 # How to see logs?
 
 As mentioned before, most logs are stored under .highlight[`/var/log/`]
 
 Logs are periodically "rotated", with older ones having `.1`, `.2`, ... appended
   to them. Oldest ones may be compressed.
 
 * To see plain-text logs, `less` is recommended.
 * .highlight[`zless`] allows viewing compressed archives (`.N.gz`) directly.
 * .highlight[`tail -f`] allows monitoring new log entries as they appear.
 * .highlight[`dmesg`] shows kernel logs since boot.
 
 However, on modern systems using `systemd` many logs are
   collected (or at least mirrored) in a single database accessed through .highlight[`journalctl`].
 
 ---
 
 # Working with services
 
 Unlike programs we run directly, .highlight[services] (or .highlight[daemons])
   are run in the background, to be ready to respond to tasks.
 
 A web server, a database server, or SSH server are examples of services.
 
 --
 
 To understand services, we first need to undestand `init`.
 
 When Linux boots, the kernel starts process ID 1, `init`,
   which is responsible for starting and managing all other processes.
 
 .advice[
   It's very helpful to see `pstree` output here.
 ]
 
 Init has lists of various services and rules as to when and how to run them.
 
 ---
 
 # Init and `systemd`
 
 Init systems of old were collection of scripts that would start and stop services
   and were controlled with `service` command.
 
 --
 
 In recent years, the majority of Linux distributions switched to using `systemd`,
   which is, among other things, an Init system.
 
 It has controversial reputation, but is the current reality.
 
 --
 
 Under `systemd`, services are called .highlight[units] and are controlled
   with the .highlight[`systemctl`] command.
 
 ---
 
 # Units
 
 Units in `systemd` are stored in various locations; typically, OS-provided units
   are stored in `/lib/systemd/system`, and .highlight[`/etc/systemd/system`] is a good location
   for custom units.
 
 Unit (service) files are small configuration files describing how and when a service is run.
 
 The list of units can be obtained with `systemctl list-unit-files`.
 
 Services can be .highlight[enabled or disabled], which reflects whether they will be automatically
   started (e.g. on boot).
 
 Services can be in started (running) or stopped state.
 
 ---
 
 # Checking services
 
 To check a service's state, use .highlight[`systemctl status <service>`].
   It prints its current state plus a small excerpt of its log.
 
 ```
 owner@linux:~$ systemctl status nginx
 ● nginx.service - nginx - high performance web server
    Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/nginx.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
    Active: active (running) since Thu 2019-01-17 02:01:25 CET; 2h 11min ago
      Docs: http://nginx.org/en/docs/
   Process: 872 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/nginx -c /etc/nginx/nginx.conf (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
  Main PID: 900 (nginx)
     Tasks: 2 (limit: 1110)
    CGroup: /system.slice/nginx.service
            ├─900 nginx: master process /usr/sbin/nginx -c /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
            └─901 nginx: worker process
 
 Jan 17 02:01:25 linux-owner-test systemd[1]: Starting nginx - high performance web server...
 Jan 17 02:01:25 linux-owner-test systemd[1]: Started nginx - high performance web server.
 ```
 
 --
 
 Full log of a service can be seen with .highlight[`journalctl -u <service>`]
 
 ---
 
 # Controlling services
 
 To change service state (requires `root`):
 
 * .highlight[`systemctl start <service>`] attempts to start a service
 * .highlight[`systemctl stop <service>`] stops a service
 * .highlight[`systemctl restart <service>`] stops and starts a service
 * .highlight[`systemctl reload <service>`] allows changing service configuration
   without restarting it. Not all units support it.
 * .highlight[`systemctl enable <service>`] ensures a service will be started
   automatically (e.g. on reboot)
 * .highlight[`systemctl disable <service>`] prevents a service from starting
   automatically
 
 After (re)starting or reloading a service it's highly recommended to check its status,
   in case some fatal error occurred at start.
 
 ---
 
 # Service configuration
 
 For most services, the configuration is somewhere in `/etc`
 
 For example, `sshd` configuration is at `/etc/ssh/sshd.conf`
 
 It's important to remember that most services require a reload
   or a restart after changing their configuration.
 
 ---
 
 # Simplest service unit
 
 Let's create a simple service that runs a shell script.
 
 .exercise[
 As root, add a file `/opt/beep.sh`:
 
 ```bash
 #!/bin/bash
 start() {
   echo 'Beep!'
 }
 
 stop() {
   echo 'Boop!'
 }
 
 case $1 in
   start|stop) "$1" ;;
 esac
 ```
 
 Make it executable.
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Simplest service unit
 
 .exercise[
-
 * Add a file `/etc/systemd/system/beep.service`:
 
 ```
 [Unit]
 Description=Beep-boop
 
 [Service]
 Type=oneshot
 ExecStart=/opt/beep.sh start
 ExecStop=/opt/beep.sh stop
 RemainAfterExit=yes
 
 [Install]
 WantedBy=multi-user.target
 ```
 
 * Tell `systemd` about the unit with `systemctl daemon-reload`
 
 * Try controlling it
-
 ]
 
-
 _Reference:_ [How to write a startup script for systemd](https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/47695/how-to-write-startup-script-for-systemd)
 
 ---
 
+# Scheduled and regular jobs
+
+If you need some script to run at a later date, or at regular intervals:
+
+* `at` provides simple scheduling for later execution
+* `cron` allows setting up repeating tasks
+
+---
+
 # Security considerations
 
 OS security is a large topic worthy of a separate course.
 
 We will only briefly touch some basic topics.
 
 ---
 
 # Importance of security updates
 
 Security updates exist to eliminate found vulnerabilities in software.
 
 Vulnerabilities differ wildly in potential for exploitation,
   but it's still sensible to close holes as soon as possible.
 
 Updates that require a reboot should not be put off indefinitely either.
 
 ---
 
 # Login security
 
 Use good passwords. .highlight[`apg`] is a generator of strong
   passwords that are easy to remember.
 
 Safeguard your SSH keys. Do not use non-encrypted keys
   or agent forwarding unless strictly necessary.
 
 --
 
 If possible, require public key authentication for SSH.
 
 Use mechanisms like `fail2ban` to mitigate brute-force attempts.
 
 ---
 
 # Sensitive files and access rights
 
 Denying others read permission on sensitive files (private keys, security configuration, etc.)
   is a key protection.
 
 Do not try to fix access problems with a permissive `chmod`. This can do more harm than good.
 
 ---
 
 # Encryption
 
 Full-disk encryption protects against physical-access attacks.
 
 Home folder encryption protects users against other users
   (including admins).
 
 Both come at the expense of some performance and risk
   of data loss if encryption password is lost.
 
 ---
 
 # Encryption IRL
 
 .center[ ![:scale 100%](assets/security.png) ]
 
 _Image credit:_ [XKCD #538](https://xkcd.com/538/)
 
 ---
 
 # Firewall
 
 A firewall helps prevent unauthorized programs from communicating.
 
 You will have to designate services that are allowed to communicate yourself,
   but it will prevent any surprises.
 
 Ubuntu uses `ufw` as the firewall frontend, but low-level back-end is `iptables`.
 
 Packages have a way to add exceptions to firewall, so for standard ports
   you usually don't need to manually intervene.
 
 In desktop Ubuntu the firewall is disabled by default.
 
 ---
 
 # SELinux / AppArmor
 
 Sometimes, programs have to run as root to achieve one specific thing,
   and can be a risk if they can be exploited.
 
 There are kernel modules like SELinux that restrict activity of processes
   based on configurable rules, even for `root`.
 
 This allows to follow least-privilege principles at the expense
   of complex-to-maintain configuration.
 
 ---
 
 # Basic Troubleshooting
 
 .center[
   ![:scale 100%](assets/success.png)
 ]
 
 _Image credit:_ [XKCD #349](https://xkcd.com/349/)
 
 ---
 
 # Verbosity
 
 When some program fails, it helps to ask it to produce more low-level information,
   either in the output or in the logs.
 
 Many programs have switches or configuration options for that,
   often `-v` (for .highlight[verbose]).
 
 There can even be multiple verbosity levels.
 
 ---
 
 # Spying on programs
 
 If a program is running into an unhelpful error,
   you can try watching what it's doing under the hood.
 
 .highlight[`strace`] is a general-purpose debugger
   (requiring root) that monitors all system calls made by a process.
 
 In practice, that means being able to trace e.g. all file access.
 
 ---
 
 # Dealing with broken GUI
 
 If your graphical environment can't function normally
   (hangs, or you can't log in), you can try accessing text-mode consoles.
 
 This is done with Ctrl+Alt+F1 through Ctrl+Alt+F12 to switch between them.
 
 .exercise[
   Try accessing your TTYs (won't work over SSH)
 ]
 
 ---
 
 # Dealing with broken boot
 
 If your system can't boot normally, you can try booting it in recovery mode.
 
 Hold Shift or mash Esc during boot (after BIOS) to bring up the GRUB menu.
 
 From there, find and select recovery mode; the system will boot in reduced
   "single user" mode, and you can select to start a `root` shell to try
   and fix the system or apply other recovery actions.
 
 You need to be physically present to attempt this.
   This can be used to circumvent / recover passwords as well.
 
 ---
 
 # Dealing with _really_ broken boot
 
 If you can't boot even in recovery, you can boot from an installation
   USB with a live Linux system, mount the filesystem of the installed Linux
   and make changes that way.
 
 Again, this requires physical presence, but fully bypasses any and all
   security of the system (except encryption).
 
 ---
 
 exclude: true
 class: middle, center
 
 # The Great TODO Gap
 
 \*crickets\*
 
 
 
 ---
 
 # Where to get help?
 
 If you know the command, or the config file that you're trying to use, .highlight[`man`] is your friend.
 
 --
 
 Also, Google is your friend! There's no shame in learning what you don't know yet or looking up
   what you don't remember.
 
 --
 
 Some notable sites that are very helpful:
 
 * StackExchange network: https://stackoverflow.com/, https://superuser.com/, https://askubuntu.com/, https://unix.stackexchange.com/, https://serverfault.com/
 * DigitalOcean tutorials: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/
 * nixCraft tutorials: https://www.cyberciti.biz/
 
 --
 
 When searching for solutions, specifying your OS version is helpful.
   Old advice sometimes does not apply to newer systems!
 
 ---
 
 class: center
 
 # That's it!
 
 ## Go forth and administrate!
 
 --
 
 ..try not to break stuff, though.
 
 ![](assets/server_problem.png)
 Image credit: [XKCD #1084](https://xkcd.com/1084/)

\ No newline at end of file