Member-only story

How to Audit Your Linux Server for Hidden Threats in Under 15 Minutes

--

Share

🧠 Blog Outline:

Intro:

Think your server is secure? Even hardened Linux boxes can hide overlooked risks — unused services, rogue cron jobs, outdated packages, or config leaks. This 15-minute audit is something I run on every Ubuntu and Red Hat server I manage. You don’t need fancy tools — just your terminal and focus.

1. Check for Suspicious Active Users 

wholastlog

Look for:

  • Accounts that haven’t logged in for months
  • Unexpected active sessions

2. Review Sudoers and Privileged Access 

cat /etc/sudoersgetent group sudo    # Ubuntugetent group wheel   # Red Hat

✅ Action: Remove users who shouldn’t have elevated access.

3. Scan Running Services 

ss -tulnps aux --sort=-%mem | head

✅ Action:

  • Stop unused services
  • Investigate unfamiliar processes

4. Inspect Scheduled Tasks 

crontab -lls /etc/cron.* /var/spool/cron/

👉 Read Full Blog on Medium Here