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Servers – Configure Remote Login Banner

Support > Fixing Checks > Server

05 March, 2026

This check ensures that the remote login warning banner is configured properly. The contents of the /etc/issue.net file are displayed to users before login when accessing the system through remote services.

Login banners should display security warnings and legal notices informing users about authorized usage and monitoring policies. The banner must not expose sensitive system information such as operating system name, version, release, or system architecture.

Check Details

  • Resource: Server
  • Check: Configure Remote Login Banner
  • Risk: If the login banner exposes operating system information such as system architecture, OS release, or version details, attackers may use this information to identify vulnerabilities and perform targeted attacks.

Remediation Steps

  1. Open a terminal session on the target server with root or sudo privileges.
  2. Edit the /etc/issue.net file with the appropriate contents according to your organization's security policy.
  3. Ensure that the banner does not expose operating system information. Remove any instances of the following:
    • \m – machine architecture
    • \r – operating system release
    • \s – operating system name
    • \v – operating system version
  4. Configure a warning banner message by running the following command:

    echo "Authorized uses only. All activity may be monitored and reported." > /etc/issue.net
    

Note: On Container-Optimized OS, the /etc directory is stateless. Therefore, the steps mentioned above need to be performed after every boot.