ClearOS: Linux Server for Small Business
Home » ClearOS: Linux Server for Small Business

ClearOS: Linux Server for Small Business
ClearOS (formerly ClarkConnect) is a Linux distribution, with the aim of transforming any standard PC into a dedicated firewall and Internet server / gateway. The software is a solution for small businesses, home offices and networked homes. ClearOS is based on CentOS and offers a very robust set of tools organized in easy to navigate administration pages.
Small business and servers
Small business data centers often rely on one-size-fits-all solutions for standard problems. Because’? They save on costs. Within the Linux world, there are a number of exceptional server software that can help power a business in ways that aren’t always considered.
The problem with small businesses that use Linux can often come in the form of distribution complexity. While Linux has come a long way in terms of ease of use, there can sometimes be an additional level of complexity when it comes to server software. This additional learning curve is very often easily overcome by anyone with a moderate level of computer skills. Note that for anyone who has used Linux before, this is generally a breeze.
But then, who needs a data center solution, without the burden of a high-level IT expert on hand, who could they turn to? One solution is ClearOS.
What is ClearOS
According to the presentation material of the distribution:
“ClearOS is a simple, open and affordable operating system, with an intuitive web-based graphical user interface and a marketplace with over 100 applications to choose from, with more being added every day. By leveraging open source software, you decide which apps you need and only pay for the apps and support you want. “
To verify that these statements respect reality and check that ClearOS is indeed an interesting solution, let’s see the details together.
Editions
First, you need to choose between the versions of the operating system. In fact, ClearOS offers three different platform distributions:
– Community: the free edition of ClearOS
– Home: Ideal for home offices
– Business: Ideal for small businesses, thanks to the inclusion of paid support
To find out the differences of each edition, you can consult the ClearOS function matrix here. There are also the prices on the page which, after all, are contained for the proposed service.
Installation
There is really no need to talk about the ClearOS installation process, as it is incredibly simple. If you’ve ever installed Linux, you won’t have any problems with ClearOS.
I wanted to test it with a VirtualBox on my personal computer, and in just 20 minutes I had a working virtual machine with ClearOS ready. The installation time includes the post-installation wizard and the first updates.
Once you have completed the basic installation, post-installation wizard and updates, all done from within an incredibly well-designed web interface, you are ready to start adding applications from the ClearOS Marketplace, which is ‘where the platform really shines.
Taking a look at the process of adding applications to the ClearOS server, it is evident how easy this ecosystem is to use. Once we are done with the initial setup, we are on the “ClearOS Marketplace Getting Started” page. From this screen it is possible to manage the application selection and installation process.
The operating system also comes with a couple of preconfigurations to choose from. In any case, you will have the possibility to choose through the selection of applications / services to be installed on the ClearOS server.
ClearOS functionality
Available features include:
– Firewall, Networking and Security:
– Network: the firewall restricts access to systems and provides advanced features, including DMZ, NAT 1 to 1 and Port Forwarding
– Protocol: Peer-to-Peer discovery system allows you to manage the use of peer-to-peer file sharing
– Application: Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Prevention systems provide an additional layer of defense against threats to your network.
– Virtual Private Networking
– Web Proxy and Content Filter
– Email, including Webmail
– Groupware
– Database and Web Server
– File and print services
Costs App
Some of the apps are free, while others have a cost. You have to consult the list of available apps to see if any of these apps / services meet your needs and fit your budget. Once you have selected all the applications you want to install, you can proceed with the installation.
At this point you are ready to configure the custom dashboard. If you don’t want to worry about customizing the dashboard, you can use the default one. The dashboard allows you to select what you want to view through practical drop-down menus. It is also possible to immediately start configuring newly installed applications.
One remarkable thing is that ClearOS has made configuring the LDAP service extremely easy. Normally this process can be quite a headache, but ClearOS has found a way to make it as painless as possible.
The function of ClearOS
One thing not found on ClearOS is a tool for creating a server environment like that of a Microsoft Small Business Server or its successor Windows Server. So, using applications like MS Office, via Terminal Server, will not work. But you can always install the Dropbox app for free and use their Paper Server. This, of course, is not a real alternative for a full office suite, but it is still a partial solution.
However, this is not the point of ClearOS, as the intent is more to serve a business-class server that can help protect and expand a small business network. In other words, if you are looking for an incredibly simple firewall to set up and manage, VPN, DNS, DHCP, and a well-rounded general network appliance, ClearOS is exactly what you need. If you are looking for something to replace a Samba server, ClearOS is not the solution.
ClearOS can be found among the standard SOD templates and you can then install your own VPS with ClearOS in a few seconds.
Useful links:
Share
RSS
More Articles…
- The SOAR benefits: simplifying investigation and response
- Security Code Review: How the service works
- Integration of the automated response: the automations in SOCaaS
- Coordination between CTI and SOC: how to further raise the defenses
- New Cloud Server: redundant internet
- Quality certificate for the SOCaaS of SOD
- Managed Detection and Response: a new preventive approach
- CLUSIT: our collaboration for better services
Categories …
- Backup as a Service (17)
- Acronis Cloud Backup (11)
- Veeam Cloud Connect (4)
- Cloud Conference (3)
- Cloud CRM (1)
- Cloud Server/VPS (22)
- Conferenza Cloud (4)
- ICT Monitoring (5)
- Log Management (2)
- News (21)
- ownCloud (4)
- Privacy (7)
- Secure Online Desktop (14)
- Security (170)
- Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) (6)
- Ethical Phishing (8)
- Penetration Test (5)
- SOCaaS (55)
- Vulnerabilities (84)
- Web Hosting (15)
Tags
Dark Reading
- Yet Another Toyota Cloud Data Breach Jeopardizes Thousands of Customers May 31, 2023The newly found misconfigured cloud services are discovered just two weeks after an initial data breach affecting millions came to light.
- Can Cloud Services Encourage Better Login Security? Netflix's Accidental Model May 31, 2023Netflix's unpopular password-sharing policy change had a positive cybersecurity silver lining. Can more B2C service providers nudge their users toward secure authentication?
- MacOS 'Migraine' Bug: Big Headache for Device System Integrity May 31, 2023Microsoft says the vulnerability could allow cyberattackers with root access to bypass security protections and install malware.
- Ways to Help Cybersecurity's Essential Workers Avoid Burnout May 31, 2023To support and retain the people who protect assets against bad actors, organizations should create a more defensible environment.
- What Apple's RSRs Reveal About Mac Patch Management May 31, 2023Apple's Rapid Security Response updates are designed to patch critical security vulnerabilities, but how much good can they do when patching is a weeks-long process?
- Investment May Be Down, but Cybersecurity Remains a Hot Sector May 31, 2023There's still a great deal of capital available for innovative companies helping businesses secure their IT environments.
- Checkmarx Announces GenAI-powered AppSec Platform, Empowering Developers and AppSec Teams to Find and Fix Vulnerabilities Faster May 31, 2023Powered by GPT-4, innovative new AI-driven capabilities lower application security (AppSec) risk and help security teams "shift everywhere" with speed and accuracy.
- New eID Scheme Gives EU Citizens Easy Access to Public Services Online May 31, 2023The European Commission voted a new electronic identification scheme that creates new opportunities for EU citizens and businesses.
- Mirai Variant Opens Tenda, Zyxel Gear to RCE, DDoS May 31, 2023Researchers have observed several cyberattacks leveraging a botnet called IZ1H9, which exploits vulnerabilities in exposed devices and servers running on Linux.
- Focus Security Efforts on Choke Points, Not Visibility May 31, 2023By finding the places where attack paths converge, you can slash multiple exposures in one fix for more efficient remediation.
Full Disclosure
- CVE-2022-48336 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (PRDiagParseAndStoreData @ 0x5cc8) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48336 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (PRDiagParseAndStoreData @ 0x5cc8) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- CVE-2022-48335 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (PRDiagVerifyProvisioning @ 0x5f90) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48335 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (PRDiagVerifyProvisioning @ 0x5f90) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- CVE-2022-48334 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_verify_keys @ 0x7370) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48334 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_verify_keys @ 0x7370) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- CVE-2022-48333 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_verify_keys @ 0x730c) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48333 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_verify_keys @ 0x730c) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- CVE-2022-48332 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_save_keys @ 0x6a18) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48332 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_save_keys @ 0x6a18) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- CVE-2022-48331 - Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_save_keys @ 0x69b0) May 30, 2023Posted by Cyber Intel Security on May 301. INFORMATION -------------- [+] CVE : CVE-2022-48331 [+] Title : Buffer Overflow in Widevine Trustlet (drm_save_keys @ 0x69b0) [+] Vendor : Google [+] Device : Nexus 6 [+] Affected component : Widevine [+] Publication date : March 2023 [+] Credits : CyberIntel Team 2. AFFECTED VERSIONS -------------------- 5.0.0 […]
- SCHUTZWERK-SA-2022-001: Cross-Site-Scripting in Papaya Medical Viewer May 30, 2023Posted by Lennert Preuth via Fulldisclosure on May 30Title ===== SCHUTZWERK-SA-2022-001: Cross-Site-Scripting in Papaya Medical Viewer Status ====== PUBLISHED Version ======= 1.0 CVE reference ============= CVE-2023-33255 Link ==== https://www.schutzwerk.com/advisories/SCHUTZWERK-SA-2022-001/ Text-only version: https://www.schutzwerk.com/advisories/SCHUTZWERK-SA-2022-001.txt Further SCHUTZWERK advisories: https://www.schutzwerk.com/blog/tags/advisories/ Affected products/vendor...
- [RT-SA-2023-005] Pydio Cells: Server-Side Request Forgery May 30, 2023Posted by RedTeam Pentesting GmbH on May 30For longer running processes, Pydio Cells allows for the creation of jobs, which are run in the background. The job "remote-download" can be used to cause the backend to send a HTTP GET request to a specified URL and save the response to a new file. The response […]
- [RT-SA-2023-004] Pydio Cells: Cross-Site Scripting via File Download May 30, 2023Posted by RedTeam Pentesting GmbH on May 30Advisory: Pydio Cells: Cross-Site Scripting via File Download Pydio Cells implements the download of files using presigned URLs which are generated using the Amazon AWS SDK for JavaScript [1]. The secrets used to sign these URLs are hardcoded and exposed through the JavaScript files of the web application. […]
- [RT-SA-2023-003] Pydio Cells: Unauthorised Role Assignments May 30, 2023Posted by RedTeam Pentesting GmbH on May 30Advisory: Pydio Cells: Unauthorised Role Assignments Pydio Cells allows users by default to create so-called external users in order to share files with them. By modifying the HTTP request sent when creating such an external user, it is possible to assign the new user arbitrary roles. By assigning […]
Customers
Twitter FEED
Recent activity
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes L'impatto crescente delle minacce informatiche, su sistemi operativi privati op… https://t.co/FimxTS4o9G
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes The growing impact of cyber threats, on private or corporate operating systems… https://t.co/y6G6RYA9n1
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Tempo di lettura stimato: 6 minuti Today we are talking about the CTI update of our services. Data security is… https://t.co/YAZkn7iFqa
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Il tema della sicurezza delle informazioni è di grande attualità in questo peri… https://t.co/tfve5Kzr09
-
SecureOnlineDesktop
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes The issue of information security is very topical in this historical period ch… https://t.co/TP8gvdRcrF
Newsletter
Products and Solutions
News
- The SOAR benefits: simplifying investigation and response April 18, 2022
- Security Code Review: How the service works April 13, 2022
- Integration of the automated response: the automations in SOCaaS April 11, 2022
- Coordination between CTI and SOC: how to further raise the defenses April 6, 2022
- New Cloud Server: redundant internet March 23, 2022
Google Reviews























Copyright © 2011 Secure Online Desktop s.r.l. All Rights Reserved.
VAT: 07485920966 “Cloud Computing services - Software cloud - Cloud server - VPS” Terms of ServicePrivacy Policy
ISO Certifications