This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Faruk
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Why I Use Read-Only Partitions on My Linux Servers (And You Should Too)
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Intro
One of the most underrated Linux hardening techniques is also one of the simplest: read-only partitions. In a world of ransomware, misconfigurations, and stealthy rootkits, setting parts of your system to read-only is a powerful and low-effort win.
Here’s why I use it — and how you can start applying it today without breaking your setup.
What Is a Read-Only Partition?
A read-only partition is exactly what it sounds like: a part of your file system that can’t be modified — no writing, no deleting, no tampering.
You can mount directories like /boot, /usr, or even / with the ro (read-only) flag. The goal? Reduce the writable attack surface and prevent malicious or accidental changes.
Why Bother Making It Read-Only?
1. Stops Persistence
Many malware and rootkits need to write to disk. A read-only mount blocks this — instantly breaking most persistence mechanisms.
2. Prevents Accidental Changes
Ever typo a command as root and nuked something important? A read-only setup makes critical directories…
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This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Faruk