How to configure the Linux kernel/security

Security configuration

Security options[]

Option: KEYS
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off) Enable access key retention support
  This option provides support for retaining authentication tokens and access keys in the kernel.
  
  It also includes provision of methods by which such keys might be associated with a process so that network filesystems, encryption support and the like can find them.
  
  Furthermore, a special type of key is available that acts as keyring: a searchable sequence of keys. Each process is equipped with access to five standard keyrings: UID-specific, GID-specific, session, process and thread.
  
  If you are unsure as to whether this is required, answer N.

Option: KEYS_DEBUG_PROC_KEYS
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off) Enable the /proc/keys file by which all keys may be viewed
- depends on KEYS
  This option turns on support for the /proc/keys file through which all the keys on the system can be listed.
  
  This option is a slight security risk in that it makes it possible for anyone to see all the keys on the system. Normally the manager pretends keys that are inaccessible to a process don't exist as far as that process is concerned.

Option: SECURITY
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off) Enable different security models
- depends on SYSFS
  This allows you to choose different security modules to be configured into your kernel.
  
  If this option is not selected, the default Linux security model will be used.
  
  If you are unsure how to answer this question, answer N.

Option: SECURITY_NETWORK
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off) Socket and Networking Security Hooks
- depends on SECURITY
  This enables the socket and networking security hooks. If enabled, a security module can use these hooks to implement socket and networking access controls. If you are unsure how to answer this question, answer N.

Option: SECURITY_CAPABILITIES
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off/module) Default Linux Capabilities
- depends on SECURITY
  This enables the "default" Linux capabilities functionality. If you are unsure how to answer this question, answer Y.

Option: SECURITY_ROOTPLUG
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off/module) Root Plug Support
- depends on USB && SECURITY
  This is a sample LSM module that should only be used as such. It prevents any programs running with egid == 0 if a specific USB device is not present in the system.
  
  See <http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6279> for more information about this module. If you are unsure how to answer this question, answer N.

Option: SECURITY_SECLVL
- Kernel Versions: 2.6.15.6 ...
- (on/off/module) BSD Secure Levels
- depends on SECURITY
- select CRYPTO
- select CRYPTO_SHA1
  Implements BSD Secure Levels as an LSM. See <file:Documentation/seclvl.txt> for instructions on how to use this module.
  
  If you are unsure how to answer this question, answer N.

Linux Kernel Configuration