Linux Security Hardening: Lynis Scores Across Different Distributions
Description
This content discusses the use of Lynis, a security auditing and hardening tool for Linux and UNIX-based systems, to evaluate the security posture of various Linux distributions using their default configurations. It presents a comparative overview of Lynis Hardening Index scores across multiple distributions, indicating the relative security measures in place by default. The information is intended as a basic comparison and not a definitive security assessment.
Reddit Discussion
Lynis Hardening Index scores from different Linux distributions, tested with their default configurations.
This is only a basic comparison of the results and is not intended as a definitive measure of overall security.
If you want to run your own test, read the installation instructions:
https://github.com/cisofy/lynis
Higher score: More security measures are in place.
Lower score: More security improvements are needed.
Lynis version used in the test:
3.1.7
Lynis command:
lynis audit system
OPENSUSE TUMBLEWEED (KDE)
Hardening index : 89 [################# ]
Tests performed : 250
SECUREBLUE (KDE)
It was extremely slow during the test.
Hardening index : 79 [############### ]
Tests performed : 265
FEDORA (KDE)
Hardening index : 70 [############## ]
Tests performed : 253
ANDUINOS
Hardening index : 68 [############# ]
Tests performed : 262
VOYAGER LIVE
Hardening index : 68 [############# ]
Tests performed : 266
ENDEAVOUROS (KDE)
Hardening index : 67 [############# ]
Tests performed : 261
AURORA
Hardening index : 66 [############# ]
Tests performed : 267
BAZZITE (KDE)
Hardening index : 66 [############# ]
Tests performed : 262
GENTOO (KDE)
Hardening index : 65 [############# ]
Tests performed : 240
TUXEDOOS
Hardening index : 64 [############ ]
Tests performed : 268
CACHYOS (KDE)
Hardening index : 64 [############ ]
Tests performed : 262
NIXOS (KDE)
Hardening index : 63 [############ ]
Tests performed : 235
VOID Xfce (musl)
Hardening index : 63 [############ ]
Tests performed : 228
GARUDA (Dr460nized)
Hardening index : 62 [############ ]
Tests performed : 261
SOPLOS (Tyson)
Hardening index : 61 [############ ]
Tests performed : 265
GLF OS (KDE)
Hardening index : 60 [############ ]
Tests performed : 228
KUBUNTU
Hardening index : 59 [########### ]
Tests performed : 240
PIKAOS (KDE)
Hardening index : 59 [########### ]
Tests performed : 252
Links cited in this discussion
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Lynis is an open-source security auditing tool designed for UNIX-like systems, including Linux and macOS. It performs in-depth security scans to assess system defenses, compliance with standards (e.g., HIPAA, ISO27001, PCI DSS), and provides recommendations for system hardening. The provided data shows Lynis Hardening Index scores for different Linux distributions tested with default settings using Lynis version 3.1.7. Higher scores indicate more security measures are enabled by default. This comparison highlights the varying levels of default security hardening across distributions but does not represent a vulnerability or exploit.
Potential Impact
There is no direct security vulnerability or exploit described. The impact is informational, showing that some Linux distributions have stronger default security configurations than others. This can guide system administrators in choosing distributions or understanding the baseline security posture before further hardening.
Defensive Guidance
No specific mitigation is required as this is not a vulnerability. Users and administrators are encouraged to run Lynis audits on their systems to identify potential security improvements and apply recommended hardening measures based on audit results. The Lynis tool itself is actively maintained and can be installed or updated from official repositories or the vendor's GitHub page.
Technical Details
- Source Type
- Subreddit
- cybersecurity
- Reddit Score
- 0
- Discussion Level
- minimal
- Content Source
- reddit_link_post
- Post Type
- link
- Newsworthiness Assessment
- {"score":27,"reasons":["external_link","established_author","very_recent"],"isNewsworthy":true}
- Has External Source
- true
- Trusted Domain
- false
Threat ID: 6ad3ed202cdf04f65662097d
Added to database: 10/17/2026, 21:48:16 UTC
Last enriched: 10/17/2026, 21:48:20 UTC
Last updated: 10/18/2026, 03:18:15 UTC
Views: 8
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