When SELinux is disabled, SELinux policy is not loaded at all; it is not enforced and AVC messages are not logged. Therefore, all benefits of running SELinux listed in link:https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/selinux_users_and_administrators_guide/chap-security-enhanced_linux-introduction#sect-Security-Enhanced_Linux-Introduction-Benefits_of_running_SELinux[Benefits of SELinux] are lost.
[IMPORTANT]
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It is recommended to use permissive mode instead of permanently disabling SELinux. See <<{context}-changing-to-permissive-mode>> for more information about permissive mode.
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To permanently disable SELinux, follow the procedure below:
. Configure [option]`SELINUX=disabled` in the `/etc/selinux/config` file: