Mac OS X, based on Unix, is a multi-user operating system, with all the benefits, and problems, that implies. There are dozens of utilities and operating system functions that make an OS X server very powerful, but at the same time need to be used and managed with care.

iAssist can help keep your server secure by providing an interface to manage and control access to these utilities. For example, every Mac OS X system (not only servers) includes, by default, an SSH daemon, which allows users to remotely log in to, and control, your server. The Mac OS System Preferences "Sharing" panel provides basic control over this utility, but server administrators will find only basic options exposed. In reality, the SSH daemon is far more configurable, and iAssist provides access to numerous options which will help you lock down use of SSH logins.

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In addition to SSH, there are dozens of other utilities available to you, and therefore to anyone that gains terminal access to your server. Another important security measure is to restrict access to utilities you don't need routine access to, many of which can be used to give unauthorized users additional access to your system. Again, iAssist provides a graphical interface for controlling access to these utilities.

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Of course, other security risks exist, and other potential problems will be exposed over time. If you have specific concerns, or if you have ideas about how iAssist's security tools can be expanded to provide even better server protection, please don't hesitate to contact us. As always, send mail to "support@maxum.com" with your thoughts.