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The SELinux setting that completely disables the monitoring of actions on the system is known as "disabled." When SELinux is set to this mode, it is effectively turned off, meaning that no security policies are enforced and no auditing takes place. This results in a system that operates without the additional layer of security that SELinux normally provides, which is particularly useful in scenarios where compatibility or simplicity is prioritized over security.
In contrast, the other options represent different operational modes of SELinux:
The "targeted" mode provides a compromise where SELinux policies are enforced for specific parts of the system, usually focusing on critical applications, but not system-wide. Here, SELinux is active but operates selectively.
The "permissive" mode allows SELinux to monitor actions and log any violations of the security policies without actually enforcing them. This is useful when transitioning from a permissive to enforcing mode, allowing administrators to see what actions would be denied without impacting the operational aspects of the system immediately.
The "enforcing" mode is the most secure and actively enforces SELinux policies by denying unauthorized actions and logging these denials.
Understanding these differences is crucial for managing security in Linux environments, and knowing when and why to disable SELinux can