Security under UNIX / Linux

IS&T's Network Installation Services offer you a 'hardened' (security conscious) version of Red Hat /Fedora/CentOS Linux or Solaris. The operating system will be easier to keep up-to-date and in sync with central Boston University services.

With the BU custom operating systems, you can apply patches automatically (or semi-automatically), keep user accounts up-to-date, use Kerberos passwords, and be eligible for IS&T backups.

BU Linux (CentOS based) uses yum, a tool that automatically applies security updates to your machine when it is connected to the BU network.

BU Solaris comes with PatchAlert, a BU tool that can be configured to apply patches as often as you wish. We recommend at least once a month.

For more information on known security problems and solutions, check the BU Security Advisories.