Linux Magazine #299 - Print Issue
OCTOBER 2025 – Auditing
Today's cybercriminals have sneaky techniques for hijacking system files and system calls. By the time they settle in, it might be too late, so the best defense is vigilance. The Linux kernel auditing system watches events that could indicate an attack. We'll show you how to configure and manage kernel auditing.
On the DVD: antiX 23.2 Full and Ubuntu MATE 25.04
IN THIS ISSUE:
Kernel News
* Zack Brown reports on the bcachefs development process
Audit
Use the kernel auditing system to set watches on critical files and system calls and log the activity for later analysis.
Distro Walk – SparkyLinux
SparkyLinux founder Pawel Pijanowski tells the story behind this rolling-release Debian derivative.
strace by Example
The strace command-line utility helps you diagnose complex problems by revealing details about the interaction between applications and the Linux kernel.
Falco
Create your own rules to detect threats by monitoring system calls.
32 CSV Processing
With a few tools, you can harness the data available in even the most troublesome CSV files.
Command Line – Moving and Renaming
Linux offers three main commands for moving and renaming. Which you choose depends on your purpose and knowledge.
Nix Flakes
Nix flakes modernize the Nix package manager's promise of reproducible builds with structured project definitions and built-in dependency locking, making Nix code more shareable across projects.
Meshtastic
Want to communicate without relying on mobile networks? Meshtastic lets you create your own off-the-grid wireless mesh network with an inexpensive LoRa device and an Android phone.
Programming Snapshot – Highlighting Screenshots
Before sharing screenshots, you might want to highlight points of interest. Mike Schilli whips up a Go app that acts like a highlighter pen.
Python Chat
A beginner-friendly guide to building a chat client-server app with sockets and multithreading.
PipeWire
PipeWire lets you transparently handle ALSA, JACK, and PulseAudio applications, making it useful for both general and professional audio users.
PictoBlox
Block coding is not exactly new, but block programming of a microcontroller is more exciting than you might think.
Commodore OS Vision 3
The Commodore home computer is back with new hardware and software options, including a new Commodore 64 machine from the classic brand.
Doghouse – Last ATC
While USENIX continues with its many conferences, its Annual Technical Conference will be missed.
t-prot
T-prot trims – or removes – long quotes and signatures to neatly simplify emails.
FOSSPicks
Nate explores the top FOSS, including a secure file-sharing program, a visual Sudoku game, and useful tools for setting reminders and checking DNS records.
Tutorial – Koel
Music is great. Getting it from your own completely private streaming server is even better.