This cheat sheet equips you with essential Lynis commands to navigate your system’s security landscape. Quickly learn how to launch basic and advanced scans, filter results by severity or category, and delve deeper into specific tests for comprehensive analysis. With this guide at your fingertips, you’ll be well-positioned to identify vulnerabilities, harden your system, and ensure its ongoing security posture.
This guide is related to Boost Linux Security with Lynis.
Installation:
| System | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | sudo apt-get install lynis |
| CentOS/Fedora/Red Hat | sudo |
| NixOS | nix-shell -p lynis for a temporary installation environment. |
Usage:
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Perform an Audit | sudo lynis audit system |
| Perform an Audit for Dockerfiles | lynis audit dockerfile /path/to/your/Dockerfile |
| Perform an Audit and Output to File | sudo lynis audit system --output-file=/path/to/output/file |
| Custom Profiles | sudo lynis audit system --profile=/path/to/custom/profile |
| Suppress Warnings/Notifications | sudo lynis audit system --no-logs |
| Generate Report in Text Format | sudo lynis audit system --report-file=/path/to/report/file.txt |
| Generate Report in HTML Format | sudo lynis audit system --report-file=/path/to/report/file.html |
| Generate Report in JSON Format | sudo lynis audit system --report-file=/path/to/report/file.json |
| Automate Auditing (Cron) | Edit crontab: sudo crontab -eAdd: 0 3 * * * /usr/bin/lynis --cronjob --auditor "Your Name" --no-colors --quiet |
| Update Lynis Definitions | sudo lynis update info |
| Get Help and Usage Information | lynis --help |
| Check System Hardening | sudo lynis audit system --tests-category hardening |
| Check for Security Updates | sudo lynis audit system --tests-category updates |
Incorporating these Lynis commands into your security routine gives you a powerful ally in safeguarding your system. Security is an ongoing process, so leverage this cheat sheet to assess your system’s health regularly and proactively address potential threats. With vigilance and these valuable commands, you can confidently maintain a robust security posture and navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.
