---
title: Modify the System Login Banner for Remote Connections
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Modify the System Login Banner for
  Remote Connections
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datadoghq.com/llms.txt).

# Modify the System Login Banner for Remote Connections
 
## Description{% #description %}

To configure the system login banner edit `/etc/issue.net`. Replace the default text with a message compliant with the local site policy or a legal disclaimer.

## Rationale{% #rationale %}

Display of a standardized and approved use notification before granting access to the operating system ensures privacy and security notification verbiage used is consistent with applicable federal laws, Executive Orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards, and guidance.

System use notifications are required only for access via login interfaces with human users and are not required when such human interfaces do not exist.

## Remediation{% #remediation %}

### Shell script{% #shell-script %}

The following script can be run on the host to remediate the issue.

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Remediation is applicable only in certain platforms
if dpkg-query --show --showformat='${db:Status-Status}' 'linux-base' 2>/dev/null | grep -q '^installed$'; then

remote_login_banner_contents=$(echo "You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is\nprovided for USG-authorized use only. By using this IS (which includes any\ndevice attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:\n\n-The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for\npurposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring,\nnetwork operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement\n(LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.\n\n-At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.\n\n-Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject\nto routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used\nfor any USG-authorized purpose.\n\n-This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls)\nto protect USG interests--not for your personal benefit or privacy.\n\n-Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE\nor CI investigative searching or monitoring of the content of privileged\ncommunications, or work product, related to personal representation or services\nby attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such\ncommunications and work product are private and confidential. See User\nAgreement for details." | sed 's/\\n/\n/g')
echo "$remote_login_banner_contents" > /etc/issue.net
chmod 0644 /etc/issue.net

else
    >&2 echo 'Remediation is not applicable, nothing was done'
fi
```

### Ansible playbook{% #ansible-playbook %}

The following playbook can be run with Ansible to remediate the issue.

```gdscript3
- name: Gather the package facts
  package_facts:
    manager: auto
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-255020
  - banner_etc_issue_net
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - unknown_strategy
- name: XCCDF Value remote_login_banner_contents # promote to variable
  set_fact:
    remote_login_banner_contents: !!str You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is\nprovided for USG-authorized use only. By using this IS (which includes any\ndevice attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:\n\n-The USG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for\npurposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring,\nnetwork operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement\n(LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.\n\n-At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.\n\n-Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject\nto routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used\nfor any USG-authorized purpose.\n\n-This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls)\nto protect USG interests--not for your personal benefit or privacy.\n\n-Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE\nor CI investigative searching or monitoring of the content of privileged\ncommunications, or work product, related to personal representation or services\nby attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such\ncommunications and work product are private and confidential. See User\nAgreement for details.
  tags:
    - always

- name: Modify the System Login Banner for Remote Connections - ensure correct banner
  ansible.builtin.copy:
    dest: /etc/issue.net
    mode: 420
    content: |
      {{ remote_login_banner_contents | replace('\n', '
      ') }}
  when: '"linux-base" in ansible_facts.packages'
  tags:
  - DISA-STIG-UBTU-22-255020
  - banner_etc_issue_net
  - low_complexity
  - medium_disruption
  - medium_severity
  - no_reboot_needed
  - unknown_strategy
```