# SELinux: checking status and disabling

**Checking if SELinux is enabled:**

1. **Using Command Line:**
   * Open a terminal or SSH session.
   * Run the following command:

     ```
     sestatus
     ```
   * If SELinux is enabled, you will see output similar to:

     ```lua
     SELinux status: enabled
     ```
   * If SELinux is disabled, you will see output similar to:

     ```lua
     SELinux status: disabled
     ```
2. **Checking Configuration File:**
   * SELinux configuration file is usually located at `/etc/selinux/config`.
   * Open the configuration file using a text editor like `nano` or `vi`.
   * Look for the line:

     ```makefile
     codeSELINUX=enforcing
     ```

     If it's set to `enforcing`, SELinux is enabled. If set to `disabled`, it's disabled.

**Disabling SELinux:**

1. **Temporary Disable:**
   * To temporarily disable SELinux until the next system reboot, run:

     ```
     sudo setenforce 0
     ```
2. **Permanently Disable:**
   * Open the SELinux configuration file `/etc/selinux/config`.
   * Change the `SELINUX` parameter to `disabled`:

     ```makefile
     SELINUX=disabled
     ```
   * Save the changes and exit the text editor.
   * Reboot the system for the changes to take effect.

**Important Notes:**

* Always ensure appropriate backups before making significant changes to system configurations.