5 Things to Do When Installing Ubuntu on Your PC
Ubuntu is a powerful Linux distro suited for a variety of use cases and is ideal for both beginners and seasoned Linux users.
When installing Ubuntu, you should set it up with security in mind. This lays a good foundation for a robust and resilient system. Here are the five best practices you should follow when installing Ubuntu on your PC.
1. Verify the Integrity of the ISO Image
Whether you already have an Ubuntu image or are downloading a new one, it’s always a good idea to confirm that the image is not corrupted or has not been tampered with in any way.
Do not compromise on security especially when you’re working in production environments, corporate infrastructure, or highly secure environments.
Just like most Linux distros, Ubuntu provides you with all the tools needed tocheck whether your ISO image is safe and uncorrupted. After checking, you can safely install the image on your PC.
2. Use the Ubuntu Minimal Installer
Have you ever played any of the games that come with Ubuntu? You’re probably wondering, what games? By default, Ubuntu installs some fun games, media software, and many other components that you will hardly ever use. These consume precious disk space and PC resources.
To avoid all this bloatware, choose the minimal installation method instead. This way, you only install the software that you need.
Whenever you need something, use the full power of APT to install your software packages. After all, nowadays, PCs are almost always connected to the internet.
3. Install Package Updates
Whilst you’re still on theUpdates and other softwarepage and if you are connected to the internet during the installation, you should install updates and bug fixes by checking theDownload updates while installing Ubuntucheckbox.
Up-to-date software contains bug fixes, security patches, and other improvements that help you achieve a robust and stable system.
Make it a habit to regularly revise your OS throughout its lifetime. Also,consider using Ubuntu LTS releaseswhich enjoy long-term support and are generally more stable.
4. Encrypt Your Hard Disk
You probably have confidential or classified information on your PC. If you lose your PC and someone gets hold of it, they can easily mount your disk and access all your data.
To avoid this, it’s always a good idea to encrypt your hard disk, just in case it falls into the wrong hands. It is effortless to encrypt your hard disk during the installation process rather than afterward.
On theInstallation typepage, click onAdvanced features. Then check off theEncrypt the new Ubuntu installation for securityradio button.
Further, while you’re still on the Advanced options page, select the option to use LVM with your Ubuntu installation. LVM is a relatively new disk partitioning system. It is robust, flexible, and has many advantages over its traditional rivals.
Once you have selected LVM and disk encryption, click theInstallbutton to proceed.
5. Create a Recovery File
Use a strong password for encrypting your hard disk, as using a weak password is counterintuitive.
In addition to setting a strong password, it’s strongly recommended that you create a recovery file. This is important in cases when you forget your encryption password. Instead of being locked out of your system, you may gain access via the recovery file.
Store the recovery file in a safe place such as a digital vault, away from the prying eyes of other individuals.
In the final stages of the installation, you will create a non-root user. The non-root user is important because you do not want to use a root user for your daily usage.
The root user has total control over all aspects of your system, therefore, you should avoid using it. If you need administrative privileges,use sudo or other similar commands.
Remember to set a strong password for the non-root user as well. The non-root user is part of the sudoers group and can gain administrative privileges and cause havoc.
Follow Best Practices When Installing Ubuntu
There you have it, some powerful tips to follow when installing Ubuntu on your PC. Much as Ubuntu is a secure system, you must also be proactive when it comes to securing your PC.
Some post-installation steps you could follow are securing user accounts, SSH logins, and network access.
Want to safeguard your Linux system against the various threats caused by unprotected user accounts? Here are some helpful tips to get started.
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