FREE Cybersecurity Tool - Wazuh Tutorial for Beginners

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to using Wazuh, a free and open-source cybersecurity tool. Whether you're new to cybersecurity or looking to enhance your skills, this guide will help you install Wazuh, deploy agents, and detect security threats effectively.

Step 1: Install Wazuh

To begin using Wazuh, you first need to install it on your system. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare your environment

   • Ensure you have a compatible operating system (preferably Ubuntu or CentOS).
   • Update your package list:

     sudo apt-get update
     

2. Download Wazuh

   • Visit the Wazuh official website to get the latest version.

3. Install Wazuh Manager

   • For Ubuntu, run:

     sudo apt-get install wazuh-manager
     

4. Start the Wazuh service

   • Use the following command:

     sudo systemctl start wazuh-manager
     

5. Check the status

   • Ensure that Wazuh is running:

     sudo systemctl status wazuh-manager
     

Step 2: Deploy Wazuh Agents

Once Wazuh is installed, you need to deploy agents on the devices you want to monitor.

1. Install the Wazuh Agent

   • On the target device, run the following command:

     sudo apt-get install wazuh-agent
     

2. Configure the agent

   • Open the Wazuh agent configuration file:

     sudo nano /var/ossec/etc/ossec.conf
     

   • Modify the configuration to point to your Wazuh Manager's IP address.

3. Start the Wazuh agent

   • Use the command:

     sudo systemctl start wazuh-agent
     

4. Verify agent connection

   • Check the Wazuh Manager to ensure the agent is reporting:

     sudo /var/ossec/bin/agent_control -l
     

Step 3: Detect SSH Brute Force Attacks

Wazuh can help you identify SSH brute force attacks, a common threat.

1. Configure SSH logs

   • Ensure that your SSH logs are being collected by Wazuh by checking the ossec.conf file for the proper log collection settings.

2. Test for brute force attempts

   • Simulate an attack using a tool like hydra against your SSH service to generate log entries.

3. Monitor Wazuh alerts

   • Use the Wazuh dashboard to review alerts related to SSH brute force attempts.

Step 4: Detect Reverse Shells

Wazuh can also help detect reverse shells, which are indicative of a compromised system.

1. Set up rules for reverse shell detection

   • Check Wazuh's rule set to ensure rules for detecting reverse shells are enabled.

2. Simulate a reverse shell connection

   • Use tools like netcat to create a reverse shell and connect back to your Wazuh Manager.

3. Review alerts

   • Monitor the Wazuh dashboard for alerts indicating a reverse shell connection.

Bonus Step: Advanced Detection Demo

Explore advanced detection features of Wazuh to enhance your security posture.

1. Use built-in scripts

   • Wazuh comes with scripts that can help in detecting various threats. Familiarize yourself with these scripts.

2. Set up custom alerts

   • Learn to customize Wazuh alerts based on your specific security requirements.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to install Wazuh, deploy agents, and detect common cybersecurity threats like SSH brute force attacks and reverse shells. As you continue your journey in cybersecurity, consider exploring additional features of Wazuh and enhancing your monitoring capabilities. For further learning, check out relevant resources and courses available online.