Lynis is a powerful open-source security auditing tool for Unix-based systems, including Linux, macOS, and BSD. Its primary purpose is to scan the system for vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for system hardening. Lynis is widely used by system administrators and security professionals to assess the security posture of a system, identify misconfigurations, and ensure compliance with security standards.
This guide will walk you through installing and using Lynis on Kali Linux for system auditing and hardening.
Key Features of Lynis
Lynis provides a wide range of features, making it an essential tool for system administrators and security professionals:
- Security Audits: Lynis scans the system for vulnerabilities, weak configurations, and security issues.
- System Hardening: Based on its findings, Lynis offers suggestions for improving security and hardening the system.
- Compliance Testing: Lynis can assist in meeting compliance requirements like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOX.
- Malware Detection: It identifies signs of malware or backdoors on the system.
- Integration: Lynis can be integrated with automation and monitoring systems, making it ideal for regular security checks.