The First World Bank Savings and Loan is the company that takes care of its clients, paying much attention to the issues of safety and convenience. Therefore, the need to provide all banking services online seems to be a reasonable and expected step forward in customer service. The implementation of online banking enables the online use of credit cards for loan applications, which is crucial for modern-world financial operations and business performance. In order to study the cost, performance, and security of maintaining a Linux and open source infrastructure, a task team has analyzed the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of this system. The current executive summary discusses the feasibility of Linux and an open source infrastructure for dealing with the security demands of an online banking environment, as well as possible threats and risks related to this system.
First of all, it is necessary to emphasize that Linux appears to be the best solution for the First World Bank Savings and Loan’s needs. Comparing to Windows, which requires complex and time-consuming security measures, Linux is equipped with self-updating applications that work with all the installed software. Due to this fact, professionals consider running Firefox under Linux as the safest approach to online banking (Horowitz, 2009). As long as the system contains many security patches that dismiss the existing “misconfigured or compromised programs” (Gite, 2017), most global companies and organizations treat Linux as the primary background for their digital platforms. Still, to protect all the data and intellectual property, the First World Bank Savings and Loan must secure its Linux servers.
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"Identify Linux Security Threats".
There are several threats and risks that can be most important in the context of online banking. It has been proved that the platform’s popularity has caused several security risks that can lead to malware attacks (Trend Micro Inc., 2016). Such threats as the Rex Linux ransomware, Mirai, the rootkit family named Umbreon, and LuaBot are believed to be the most common dangers associated with Linux (Trend Micro Inc., 2016). Still, the protection of the enterprise file servers appears to be less costly and simpler in this case.
In order to ensure both clients and company’s safety, the First World Bank Savings and Loan’s employees must develop certain counter strategies. In addition to the issue of malware, the problems of misconfiguration and improper access controls may appear. Among the Linux’s weakest points are the user home permissions and world readable files (Security Compass, 2014). As long as Linux is the open source software, everyone, who has access to the certain server, automatically gets access to all the home folders of its users. Such a sensitive information as users’ passwords and keys to services requires strict protection (Security Compass, 2014).
Also, world readable files are the configuration weakness that enables sensitive operations that can be performed by anyone who has access to the system (Security Compass, 2014). In order to avoid such failures, the company must pay close attention to all the details related to Linux. The harder the system is, the more difficult it will be for a user to compromise. The most common ways to make Linux secured are the development of a strong password and aging policies (Gite, 2017). Those users who prefer strong passwords and use them rationally are becoming more secure. Therefore, the company must create the conditions that would force its clients to be thoughtful and neat while using online banking services.
Generally, Linux appears to be the safest system available, as long as it recognized only its own files and programs. Nowadays, Firefox running on a read-only medium, for example, a CD or USB flash drive, is believed to be the safest approach to online banking (Horowitz, 2009). Being aware of possible complications, the First World Bank Savings and Loan’s team will manage to create a safe and comfortable environment for the customers.
- Gite, V. (2017). “40 Linux server hardening security tips.” NixCraft. Retrieved from https://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-security.html
- Horowitz, M. (2009). “Consider Linux for secure online banking.” E-Security Planet. Retrieved from https://www.esecurityplanet.com/views/article.php/3834031/Consider-Linux-for-Secure-Online-Banking.htm
- Security Compass. (2014). “5 ways your Linux system could be misconfigured.” Retrieved from https://blog.securitycompass.com/5-common-linux-misconfigurations-1182b5def3ed
