About the Book
Linux Networking & Security for BeginnersLearn Interfaces, Firewalls, VPNs, and Hardening for Servers, Cloud, and Homelabs
Build a secure Linux server from zero-step by step, hands-on, and ready for 2025+.
If you've ever wondered how real admins wire up IP, DNS, routing, firewalls, SSH, VPNs, SELinux/AppArmor, IDS, and automated patching-and make it all work together-this book shows you, end to end.
You won't wade through theory. You'll configure, break, fix, harden, and verify-until your server is production-tough.
What you'll master (with copy-paste labs)
Interfaces, IP & DNS: ip, nmcli, netplan, resolvectl, default routes that actually route.
Traffic & services: ss, systemctl, journalctl, tcpdump, iperf3 for real diagnostics.
Firewalls: modern nftables (plus ufw/firewalld), default-deny rules, logging, and sets.
SSH hardening: keys-only auth, no-root login, Fail2Ban bans that stick.
VPNs: fast WireGuard (and when to pick OpenVPN or StrongSwan/IPsec).
Zero Trust basics: identity-aware access with practical starter tools.
System hardening: SELinux/AppArmor in enforcing mode-labels, booleans, profiles.
Auditing & compliance: Lynis, OpenSCAP, CIS Benchmarks-what to fix first.
IDS/IPS: Suricata alerts that actually catch brute-force and port scans.
Patch automation: unattended-upgrades, dnf-automatic, and live-patch options.
Inside the book
Practice Labs 1-7: short, focused labs that build real muscle memory.
Capstone Project: deploy a multi-service secure server (Web + SSH + WireGuard) with nftables, SELinux/AppArmor, Suricata, and automated updates-then attack it and verify your defenses.
Cheat Sheets & Templates: quick-reference for ip, ss, nmcli, nftables, journalctl, plus ready-to-use WireGuard/OpenVPN/StrongSwan configs.
Troubleshooting Guide: fix the errors everyone hits-handshakes, DNS, routes, SELinux denials, firewall drops.
Hardening & Audit Reference: map findings to CIS and track progress with Lynis scores.
Who this is for
Beginners and career-switchers who want a practical path into Linux networking & security.
Homelab builders who want private, safe remote access.
Cloud & on-prem admins/DevOps who need a clear, modern baseline they can trust.
Why this book
Purely practical: every concept lands in a terminal.
Modern & up to date: nftables, WireGuard, systemd-resolved, SELinux/AppArmor, Suricata-the current toolchain.
End-to-end coherence: networking, security, hardening, monitoring, and patching working as one system.
If you can type commands, you can build a hardened Linux server.
Open the book, run the labs, ship a secure system-today.
