Linux Basics
Start your cybersecurity journey with essential Linux commands and navigation. Perfect for beginners with no prior experience.
1. Welcome to Linux
Introduction to Linux, its history, distributions, and why it's essential for cybersecurity professionals. Understanding open-source philosophy and the Linux ecosystem.
2. Linux Distributions Explained
Deep dive into popular distributions: Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Kali Linux. Choosing the right distro for your needs and career path.
3. Setting Up Your Virtual Environment
Installing VirtualBox/VMware, creating your first Linux VM, configuring network settings, and installing guest additions for seamless integration.
4. Lab: Install Ubuntu Server
Step-by-step installation walkthrough, initial system configuration, user account setup, and first boot procedures.
5. Understanding the Terminal
What is a terminal? Shell vs terminal, different shell types (bash, zsh), terminal emulators, and customizing your environment.
6. Essential Navigation Commands
Mastering pwd, ls, cd, mkdir, rmdir. Understanding absolute vs relative paths, hidden files, and command options/flags.
7. Lab: Terminal Navigation Practice
Navigate complex directory structures, create nested folders, move between directories efficiently, and use tab completion.
8. The Linux File System Hierarchy
Understanding /bin, /etc, /home, /var, /usr, /opt, /tmp, and other critical directories. Why Linux organizes files this way.
9. File Operations: Create, Read, Edit
Creating files with touch, cat, echo. Reading files with cat, less, more, head, tail. Editing with nano and vim basics.
10. Copy, Move, and Delete Files
Using cp, mv, rm commands effectively. Understanding wildcards (*, ?, []), recursive operations, and safety practices.
11. Lab: File Management Mastery
Organize a project directory, create backup structures, practice bulk file operations, and implement file organization best practices.
12. Finding Files and Content
Master find, locate, which, whereis commands. Searching file contents with grep, understanding regular expressions basics.
13. Understanding Users and Groups
User accounts, UIDs, GIDs, primary vs secondary groups. The root user, sudo command, and privilege escalation concepts.
14. User Management Commands
useradd, usermod, userdel, groupadd, passwd. Creating and managing user accounts, setting passwords, and account policies.
15. Lab: Multi-User Environment Setup
Create multiple user accounts, configure groups, set up shared directories, and practice user switching and sudo usage.
16. File Permissions Deep Dive
Understanding rwx permissions, octal notation (755, 644), symbolic notation (u+r, g-w), and permission inheritance.
17. chmod, chown, and chgrp
Changing permissions with chmod, changing ownership with chown, changing groups with chgrp. Recursive permission changes.
18. Special Permissions: SUID, SGID, Sticky Bit
Understanding setuid, setgid, and sticky bit permissions. When and why to use them, security implications.
19. Lab: Permission Management
Set up a secure file structure, configure proper permissions for web directories, practice permission troubleshooting.
20. Package Management Basics
Understanding package managers: apt (Debian/Ubuntu), yum/dnf (RHEL/CentOS). Installing, updating, and removing software.
21. System Updates and Maintenance
apt update, apt upgrade, apt dist-upgrade. Understanding repositories, GPG keys, and keeping systems secure and updated.
22. Lab: Install and Configure Services
Install Apache/Nginx web server, configure basic settings, start/stop services, and verify installation.
23. Process Management Basics
Understanding processes, ps command, top/htop, foreground vs background processes, and process states.
24. System Information Commands
uname, hostname, uptime, df, du, free, lscpu. Gathering system information for troubleshooting and monitoring.
25. Assignment: Linux Environment Setup
Complete project: Set up a fully configured Linux system with proper users, permissions, and installed services.
26. Quiz: Linux Fundamentals Assessment
Comprehensive quiz covering all topics: navigation, file operations, users, permissions, and package management.