LINUX BASICS FOR HACKERS

LINUX BASIC FOR HACKERS (PDF)

"Linux Basics for Hackers" by Occupy The Web is a foundational guide for individuals interested in hacking, cybersecurity, and penetration testing, particularly those with little or no prior experience with the Linux operating system. The author, a former college professor and information technology professional with over 20 years of experience, emphasizes that a solid understanding of Linux is a prerequisite for becoming a professional hacker, as most hacking tools are written for this environment. The book is specifically tailored to be a starting point, not an exhaustive treatise on either Linux or hacking.

The book is structured to first introduce the fundamentals of the Linux command line and filesystem before delving into more advanced topics. Readers will learn to:

• Navigate the System: Get comfortable with the terminal, filesystem, and basic commands like pwd, ls, cd, and whoami.

• Manage Files and Text: Manipulate text files using commands such as head, tail, grep, and sed.

• Handle Networks: Analyze and manage network connections with tools like ifconfig and dig, and learn to change IP and MAC addresses to maintain anonymity.

• Install and Remove Software: Use the apt package manager, GUI installers, and the git clone command to manage software packages from repositories.

• Control Permissions: Understand and alter file and directory permissions using chmod, chown, and chgrp, including the use of special permissions like SUID and SGID for potential privilege escalation.

• Manage Processes: View, filter, prioritize, and kill running processes with commands like ps and top, as well as schedule tasks with crontab.

• Scripting: Get an introduction to scripting with Bash and Python, including building practical tools like a port scanner and a password cracker¹.

• Enhance Security and Anonymity: Learn how to use technologies like the Tor network, proxy servers, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to obscure online activity and protect data.

• Work with Services: Use and abuse core Linux services such as the Apache web server, OpenSSH, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.

• Inspect Wireless Networks: Scan for and connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, and learn how to gather information on them for hacking purposes.

• Manage the Kernel: Gain a high-level view of how the Linux kernel works and how its modules and parameters can be managed and manipulated.

The book also includes practical exercises at the end of each chapter to help readers reinforce their skills. The author, also known by the pseudonym OccupyTheWeb, founded and writes for a hacker training website and has trained personnel from various U.S. military and intelligence agencies.