Getting Familiar with Linux & Some Basic Commands - Cybersecurity Tutorial

Summary

In this video, Anil Yadav introduces viewers to Kali Linux, a popular operating system used by hackers and cybersecurity professionals. He demonstrates how to navigate the command line interface (CLI) in Kali Linux, explaining essential commands like 'whoami,' 'pwd,' 'ls,' and 'cd.' He also covers how to customize the desktop environment, manage user accounts, and handle administrative permissions using the 'sudo' command. The session includes practical tips for file management, troubleshooting errors, and using tools that require root access, providing a comprehensive introduction to working effectively in Kali Linux.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kali Linux is widely used by hackers and cybersecurity researchers because it is free and portable.
• 😀 Kali Linux offers both a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI), but CLI is preferred for most tasks.
• 😀 The 'Who am I' command is used to check your username in Kali Linux.
• 😀 The 'PWD' command displays the Present Working Directory (current folder you're in).
• 😀 The 'LS' command lists all files and directories in the current directory.
• 😀 To navigate between directories, use the 'cd' command, followed by the directory name.
• 😀 You can go back to the previous directory using 'cd ..'.
• 😀 The 'ls --help' command shows all options available for the 'ls' command to explore more functionalities.
• 😀 The 'clear' command clears the terminal screen for a fresh start.
• 😀 Superuser access (using 'sudo') is often required to perform certain tasks in Kali Linux, like accessing restricted files.
• 😀 The 'cat' command is used to view the contents of files, including those that require elevated permissions.

Q & A

What is Kali Linux primarily used for?

Kali Linux is mainly used by hackers and cybersecurity researchers for penetration testing, digital forensics, and security auditing. It comes with a wide range of tools designed for these tasks.

How does Kali Linux differ from other operating systems in terms of user interface?

Kali Linux offers both a graphical interface (GUI) and a command line interface (CLI). While the GUI can be used for simple tasks, power users primarily work with the CLI for efficiency and speed.

What is the command to check your current username in Kali Linux?

The command 'whoami' is used to display the current username in Kali Linux.

How can you change the working directory in Kali Linux?

You can change the working directory using the 'cd' command followed by the directory name. For example, 'cd Documents' will take you to the Documents directory.

What is the 'pwd' command used for?

'pwd' stands for 'Present Working Directory'. It displays the current directory you are in within the file system.

How do you list the files in a directory in Kali Linux?

To list the files in a directory, use the 'ls' command. This will show all files and folders in the current directory.

What is the purpose of the 'clear' command?

The 'clear' command is used to clear the terminal screen, removing previous commands and output for a cleaner workspace.

How can you gain superuser privileges in Kali Linux?

To gain superuser privileges, you can prepend 'sudo' before a command. For example, 'sudo cat /etc/shadow' will allow you to access files that require administrative permissions.

What does the 'ls --help' command do?

'ls --help' provides a list of all the available options and flags you can use with the 'ls' command to customize how files and directories are listed.

How can you change the appearance of your desktop in Kali Linux?

You can change the desktop background by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting 'Change Background', and choosing a new image or theme from the available options.