Linux

Fundamentals
Experience The Fun In
Linux
By: Michael Lassiter Jr. (@EthicalMJPen)

What is Linux?
Linux:
Linux is an open-source operating system and has existed for decades and its
system base-UNIX is the foundation of both Microsoft Windows and
Apple(Macintosh).
Accounts on Linus are either Root or User and a user can enact permissions
that are based on root privileges.
There are hundreds of Linux distributions and a distribution is a type of Linus
platform that has been created for a specific purpose or design that separates
itself from other distributions.
Some of the most common types of Linux systems consist of Ubuntu, Debian,
Fedora, and Red Hat.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Why Use Linux?

Linux uses less resources and computing power than other operating systems
such as Microsoft Windows.
It will increase the ability to learn the use of other software and specifically,
information security tools.
The open-source platform enables multiple systems to have an operating
system without limitations of product keys and licenses.
Although Linux is still vulnerable to malware, the majority of present malware
is crafted to target Windows because it is still the most widely used operating
system.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Command Line Syntax

The command line is made up of three components:

Command
Option
File/Location
Example: root@mint:Destop/cat cybrary.txt
The <cat> is the command that instructs the computer to read the contents of
the file, and <cybrary.txt> is the file itself.
The location should be correct BEFORE executing the command because
otherwise the file will not be found, rendering the command ineffective.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux File and Folder Structure

The layout of Linux resembles the design of Windows but there are some
variances.
Linux begins with the root directory and it contains a </> slash
Multiple folders are extensions from root and are: /home, /bin,
/sbin, /usr, /mnt, /etc, /dev
/etc has sub folders: /etc/passwd

& /etc/shadow

The home directory contains all directories in home

etc contains the passwords and files related to administrators. The shadow
folder holds the encrypted passwords.
Dev (short for device) contains locations of storage and optical drives.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

How to Use Linux: Terminal

Terminal:
The terminal is the command shell of Linux and it is the hub for the majority of the
operations in Linux.
Commands:
ifconfig Very similar to ipconfig in Windows. Displays network information.
Passwd Changes the password
Clear Clears the terminal (Helps when you have a full screen)
Cat Displays the contents of a file
cd Change the directory
Cd.. moves up one level in a directory tree
ls List files and directories
Pwd Displays path and name of current directory
su Become the root user.
Sudo Run command with root authority
There are hundreds of commands in a Linux system yet I wanted to highlight some of
the more common ones.
LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action

Open Terminal in Kali Linux

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action Kali Linux

A file titled Cybrary-Note was

created.
I changed the directory to Desktop
The cat command was used to
read the files contents.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action Kali Linux

The directory was

changed to dev
A ls was executed
to list all in dev

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action Kali Linux

The file was read by using cat and

then a mv command was done.
Mv tells the system to rename the
file. Renaming files and other
things can be done by using the
terminal.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action Mint Distribution

Mint is a popular Linux Distribution

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action - Mint

The user cybrary was added

by using sudo and adduser Sudo
enables permissions without
being a root user.
A UNIX password was given to
to the user.
Also a few fictional phone #s
for fun.

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux In Action - Mint

After changing the directory

to /etc , the command to
read the shadow file was
executed /etc $ cat shadow
Shadow contains the
encrypted passwords and the
screenshot shows how the
password to cybrary is
encrypted (Bottom of the
screenshot).

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Linux Commands - Common

cd Change Directory
Cd.. Move up one level in the
directory
Logout Close the session
Ls List all files
Mv Rename file
Rm Delete the file
Clear Clear screen
Kill Kill the running process
Su Become root user
Sudo use root privileges
Exit Exit terminal

LINUX FUNDAMENTALS EXPERIENCE LINUX

Cat Display contents of file

ifconfig Display network
configurations
Open open the application
Apt-get update update
package
passwd change password
pwd Display the directory path
and name
mkdir make new directory
locate locate files with
specific name
chmod modify permissions for
files and directories