Red Hat 7.2 security and reliability
I know many of you have experience with setting up, maintaining and running Red Hat 7.2 based servers 24x7. Just what is the security and reliability like? It seems most companies offering dedicated and managed servers put Red Hat 7.2 on them. Since Red Hat 7.2 servers seem to be most popular, I'm wondering:
1) If set up from scratch the proper way -- do you believe a Red Hat 7.2 based system can be made 100% secure and still be usable by hosting customers and resellers? And if so, what you feel the proper way to set it up to make it 100% secure is? If not, please share why you feel a Red Hat 7.2 system cannot be made 100% secure. I'm wondering about things other than just "install the default install and apply all patches", of course. Thanks.
Moreover, how often do you find the Red Hat 7.2 based servers you are familiar with get cracked/hacked? What are the most common reasons why -- especially for those systems kept up to date and patched?
After "burning it to the ground" and reinstalling everything, assuming it was kept patched, up to date and configured correctly, what reason is there to expect the cracker won't be back and get in the exact same way? Do you feel you can prevent a repeat performance? Do you run any IDS type stuff on your boxes to prevent crackers doing the same thing over and over again?
2) How robust do you find a Red Hat 7.2 based server as typically configured for dedicated or managed hosting for resellers and retail hosting customers can be made to be?
What has your experience and observation about the security and reliability of Red Hat 7.2 been? What are the most important factors in making a Red Hat 7.2 based server as close to 100% secure and reliable for hosting and reseller customers as possible?
Thank you very much for sharing.
Louis
