Ron Bongo here once more to give you more insights on business and how you could learn more about open source concepts.

Learn more about the top open source security application with Ron Bongo and know how the open source concept can be used to make your business processes easier and more secure.

One of the most important aspects for any enterprise is the security of their systems. In a virtual world where technological advances have brought online capabilities to new heights, security threats to these systems have also intensified. It is for this reason why system managers and business owners need to beef up their tools to protect their system and their business from external threats.

In this regard, open source security applications can provide cost-effective options for small businesses and enterprises instead of spending considerable amounts of proprietary security products. Aside from the cost, open source applications have better timeliness as they can be deployed much readily and updated much more regularly. However, should enterprises need additional features or support, they would have no commercial entity to put pressure on or demand such additional services. They would have no choice but to course through the community of developers behind the particular open source application project.

Still, the advantages of using open source security applications far outweigh some of the known inconveniences with such settings. The following describes a brief overview of some of the more popular open source security tools that are readily available for use.

* OpenSSL – This is a great open source application that provides basic security options for enterprises looking for secure and reliable transactions. The application is good enough for commercial grade and is compatible to operate with digital certificates issued by Verisign, GoDaddy, Thawte and other public certificate authorities.

* OpenSSH – For remote connectivity, OpenSSH is the application package that is highly recommended by experts. This application lets system administrators and other designated users to open a command shell via a safe, secure and easy to use connection with a remote host. Instead of passwords, public keys can be used in tandem.

* Nessus – Part of maintaining your system’s security is to perform regular scanning for vulnerabilities, and Nessus is one of the top open-source applications that can be used for this purpose and is a good alternative for commercial vulnerability management applications available in the market. The application uses scans ports and starts to identify the operating system and existing services. Once it detects some anomalies, it will perform a series of tests and generates a report to the administrator all findings.

* Nmap / Nagios – This application is used to monitor networks to see what hosts are remotely connected and what operating systems and other services are in operation. It checks these ports for any services that violate policies and to maintain that only approved services are running within the system. Another good open source network monitoring application is the Nagios that allows administrators to monitor all hardware and other equipments connected to the network, as well as monitor connected electronic devices for proper functioning.

* IPTables / IPFW – If a firewall is needed for particular server ports, these two open source applications can do a good job in rejecting of accepting connections. These applications can also redirect traffic or it can serve as a gateway host for dedicated networks such as VoIP systems. Should there be suspicious packets received, these applications logs and tags these packets for further analysis by another system that detects potential intrusions.

* ClamAV / SpamAssasin – There are a growing number of open-source antivirus and antispam applications which includes ClamAV and SpamAssasin as the most widely used. What makes these open source applications more effective is the community of developers behind the applications that makes them more accurate and more up to date virus definitions.

Come back here to learn more about the open source concept and learn how its benefits can help your business or profession as brought to you by Ron Bongo.