Continuing the Cybersecurity Journey: Implementing Essential Measures
As promised, we’ll be delving into the first three steps of our seven-step plan to fortify our home network
5/6/20242 min read
Greetings, fellow cyber enthusiasts! As I sit here gazing out the window of my hotel room, a sense of melancholy washes over me — a stark contrast to the excitement that usually accompanies my cyber endeavors. But fear not, for this journey is far from over. Today, I bring you the next chapter in our quest for cyber excellence, where we dive into the implementation of crucial security measures.
As promised, we’ll be delving into the first three steps of our seven-step plan to fortify our home network:
Intrusion Detection System (IDS):
We began by selecting and installing an IDS solution. After careful consideration, we opted for Snort, renowned for its effectiveness in detecting and preventing suspicious network activity.
Configuring Snort to monitor our network traffic was our next step. With vigilant oversight, we’re poised to investigate any alerts that may arise, ensuring our network remains secure.
Instructions to set up Snort on Kali Linux:
Open a terminal window on your Kali Linux machine.
Install Snort by running the command: sudo apt-get install snort.
Once the installation is complete, navigate to the Snort configuration directory located at /etc/snort.
Customize the configuration files according to your network environment and security requirements, including snort.lua.
Start the Snort service by running the command: sudo systemctl start snort.
2. Logging:
Enabling logging across our firewall, router, and server was imperative to our security strategy. Regularly reviewing logs allows us to identify anomalies and potential security incidents, proactively mitigating risks.
3. Network Traffic Analysis:
Equipped with Wireshark, a powerful network traffic analysis tool, we maintain a watchful eye over our network. By scrutinizing traffic patterns and identifying suspicious packets, we fortify our defenses against potential threats.
Instructions to set up Wireshark for network traffic analysis:
Install Wireshark by running the command: sudo apt-get install wireshark.
Once the installation is complete, launch Wireshark from the applications menu.
Select the network interface you wish to capture traffic from and start the capture.
Analyze captured packets in real-time or save them for later analysis.
To establish a robust firewall, we deployed pfSense on a virtual machine in VirtualBox. This secure firewall serves as our first line of defense against cyber threats.
In addition to pfSense, we configured two virtual machines in VirtualBox. The first is my primary Kali Linux machine, indispensable for various cyber tasks, including hacking and bug bounties. The second VM, dedicated to housing our IDS solution, features Snort — a powerful intrusion detection and prevention system.
After configuring our IDS solution, we conducted simulated attacks from our primary Kali Linux machine to test its efficacy. Leveraging Wireshark, we meticulously analyzed the resulting traffic, fine-tuning our firewall and Snort rules for optimal protection.
While our network is now fortified against external threats, an unexpected hiccup occurred — I inadvertently locked myself out of my remote connection. Despite this setback, rest assured that measures are underway to restore connectivity promptly.
Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll delve into the fascinating world of honeypots, further enhancing our network’s defenses.
