AppArmor vs SELinux – Quick Comparison with Top 10 Advantages

If you are looking for a comparison between AppArmor vs SELinux. This article will help you to choose which will fit your criteria. We have taken the top 10 reasons for your consideration between AppArmor vs SELinux.

AppArmor vs SELinux

SELinux

SELinux is a Linux security module that provides mandatory access control (MAC) and allows an administrator to specify fine-grained control over what processes are allowed to do on a system. It is mainly used to protect against malicious attacks and is implemented as a loadable kernel module. SELinux uses policies to define what actions are allowed in the system and supports a wide range of applications. It is mainly used on Red Hat-based systems. We have already covered this topic for more in-depth detail please read What is SELinux.

Related: How to disable SELinux?

AppArmor

AppArmor is a Linux security module that allows an administrator to specify fine-grained control over what programs are allowed to do on a system. It is a mandatory access control (MAC) system that uses profiles to specify what system resources an application is allowed to access. AppArmor is implemented in the Linux kernel and is thus more efficient than other MAC systems that are implemented as loadable kernel modules.

AppArmor is designed to protect against accidental system misconfigurations, rather than malicious attacks. It is mainly used on Debian-based systems and is relatively easy to configure and use compared to other MAC systems such as SELinux. AppArmor is also capable of protecting against certain types of security vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows.

Top 10 Differences Between AppArmor vs SELinux

1. AppArmor is a mandatory access control (MAC) system that was originally developed for Linux, while SELinux is another MAC system that was developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA).
2. AppArmor uses profiles to specify what system resources an application is allowed to access, while SELinux uses policies to define what actions are allowed in the system.
3. AppArmor is easier to configure and use than SELinux, but SELinux is more powerful and flexible.
4. AppArmor provides protection at the file system level, while SELinux provides protection at the process level.
5. AppArmor is implemented in the Linux kernel and is thus more efficient than SELinux, which is implemented as a loadable kernel module.
6. AppArmor is mainly used on Debian-based systems, while SELinux is mainly used on Red Hat-based systems.
7. AppArmor supports only a limited set of applications, while SELinux supports a wide range of applications.
8. AppArmor is less secure than SELinux, as it is easier to bypass its security controls.
9. AppArmor is mainly used to protect against accidental system misconfigurations, while SELinux is used to protect against malicious attacks.
10. AppArmor and SELinux can be used together to provide enhanced security for a Linux system.

Top 10 Advantages of AppArmor over Selinux

1. AppArmor is easier to configure and use than SELinux, making it more suitable for less experienced users.
2. AppArmor uses profiles to specify what system resources an application is allowed to access, which can be more intuitive for users compared to SELinux’s policies.
3. AppArmor is implemented in the Linux kernel, making it more efficient than SELinux, which is implemented as a loadable kernel module.
4. AppArmor is mainly used on Debian-based systems, which are popular with many users.
5. AppArmor supports a limited set of applications, which can make it easier to manage and maintain.
6. AppArmor provides protection at the file system level, which can be sufficient for many users.
7. AppArmor is less complex than SELinux and has a smaller codebase, making it easier to understand and troubleshoot.
8. AppArmor is less prone to false positives (incorrectly blocking legitimate actions) than SELinux.
9. AppArmor can be used in conjunction with other security measures, such as firewall rules, to provide enhanced protection for a system.
10. AppArmor is more lightweight than SELinux and has lower overhead, making it suitable for use on systems with limited resources.

Top 10 Advantages of SELinux over AppArmor

1. SELinux is a more powerful and flexible security system than AppArmor, as it provides protection at the process level rather than just the file system level.
2. SELinux supports a wide range of applications, while AppArmor only supports a limited set.
3. SELinux is more secure than AppArmor, as it is harder to bypass its security controls.
4. SELinux is mainly used on Red Hat-based systems, which are popular with data centers and production environments.
5. SELinux policies are more granular and allow for more fine-grained control over system actions compared to AppArmor profiles.
6. SELinux can be configured to enforce different security policies for different users, groups, and processes, providing a higher level of security.
7. SELinux can protect against both accidental system misconfigurations and malicious attacks, while AppArmor is mainly focused on protecting against accidental misconfigurations.
8. SELinux can be used to enforce separation between different domains, such as separating the network and file access, providing an additional layer of security.
9. SELinux is actively maintained and supported by the Linux community and the US National Security Agency (NSA).
10. SELinux provides a system-wide security policy, rather than just protecting individual applications, making it more comprehensive in its coverage.

Which one is best between AppArmou vs SELinux

It is difficult to say which is “best” between SELinux and AppArmor, as it ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. Please consider the below point to choose the best suit for you :

• Purpose: SELinux is mainly used to protect against malicious attacks, while AppArmor is mainly used to protect against accidental system misconfigurations. If you are primarily concerned with protecting against malicious attacks, SELinux may be a better choice. If you are mainly concerned with protecting against accidental misconfigurations, AppArmor may be sufficient.
• Ease of use: AppArmor is generally easier to configure and use than SELinux, so if you are less experienced with Linux security or do not want to spend a lot of time setting up and maintaining your security system, AppArmor may be a better choice.
• Flexibility: SELinux is more flexible than AppArmor, as it provides protection at the process level and supports a wide range of applications. If you need more granular control over system actions or want to protect a wide range of applications, SELinux may be a better choice.
• System resources: AppArmor is implemented in the Linux kernel and is more efficient than SELinux, which is implemented as a loadable kernel module. If you are running a system with limited resources, AppArmor may be a better choice.

Conclusion

This comparison of AppArmor vs SELinux will let you decide which one is best for your need. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your specific needs and goals. It is also possible to use both SELinux and AppArmor together to provide enhanced security for your system.