Thank you for reading the LinuxSecurity.com weekly security newsletter. The purpose of this document is to provide our readers with a quick summary of each week's most relevant Linux security headlines.

LinuxSecurity.com Feature Extras:

Securing a Linux Web Server - With the significant prevalence of Linux web servers globally, security is often touted as a strength of the platform for such a purpose. However, a Linux based web server is only as secure as its configuration and very often many are quite vulnerable to compromise. While specific configurations vary wildly due to environments or specific use, there are various general steps that can be taken to insure basic security considerations are in place.

Password guessing with Medusa 2.0 - Medusa was created by the fine folks at foofus.net, in fact the much awaited Medusa 2.0 update was released in February of 2010. For a complete change log please visit

How a Career Con Man Led a Federal Sting That Cost Google $500 Million (May 15)

Whitaker began by explaining his business--how he started out selling HGH and steroids but eventually sent customers vegetable oil and protein powder instead. He also said that the Google employees he worked with knew that he was in Mexico, selling mainly to Americans in the US--and that they knew his business was illegal. Further, he stated, they helped him tailor his advertising to increase the number of clicks it received.
Tough Times at Homeland Security (May 15)

A new wave of cyberattacks is hitting American companies at a particularly vulnerable time for the Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency charged with fending them off.
(May 13)

A new security technique thwarts evildoers online not by hiding or encrypting your password, but by giving the hackers in question too many to choose from.
Google's Cloud Drops Custom Linux For Debian (May 13)

Google has been using its own custom version of Linux, Google Compute Engine Linux, as it loads its customers' applications into its infrastructure as a service.
(May 15)

A Sydney man arrested for allegedly defacing a local council website will face three charges when he fronts up to court in August.
How to hack an electric car-charging station (May 17)

Is there anything more annoying than infrastructure that turns on you?