Linux Basics for Hackers

  • Course Duration14 HRS
  • Course LanguageEnglish

What you'll learn

  • Install and set up Kali Linux in a virtual machine
  • Navigate and control Linux confidently from the command line
  • Manipulate text and filter data with grep, sed, more, and less
  • Analyze and manage networks, DNS, and MAC addresses
  • Install, remove, and manage software with apt and git
  • Control file and directory permissions, including SUID and privilege escalation
  • Manage processes, services, environment variables, and the filesystem
  • Write your own bash scripts and simple hacking tools
  • Stay secure and anonymous using Tor, proxies, and VPNs
  • Inspect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks and manage kernel modules
  • Automate tasks, write Python scripts, and use AI as a hacker

Almost every serious hacking tool is written for Linux — which makes Linux the single most important skill for anyone starting out in cybersecurity, pentesting, or ethical hacking. This course is a complete, hands-on introduction to Linux built specifically for aspiring hackers, based on the acclaimed book "Linux Basics for Hackers" by OccupyTheWeb, and updated for modern Kali Linux.

Starting from a fresh Kali install in a virtual machine, you will master the command line, text manipulation, networking, permissions, process and package management, and the Linux filesystem — then move into bash and Python scripting, wireless and Bluetooth reconnaissance, the logging system, staying anonymous with Tor and VPNs, kernel modules, task automation, and even how to use AI as a hacker. Every concept is taught through practical, security-focused examples.

By the end of this course, you will be comfortable operating and controlling a Linux system from the terminal, writing your own scripts and simple hacking tools, and using Linux confidently as the foundation for a career in cybersecurity and penetration testing.

Disclaimer: This course is intended strictly for educational purposes. Any practical technique should only be applied to systems you own or are explicitly authorised to test, within isolated lab environments. Unauthorised use of any technique taught in this course is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Course content

01Getting Started & Setting Up Kali5 lectures
  • What Is Ethical Hacking & Why Hackers Use Linux
  • Downloading Kali Linux
  • Virtual Machines & Installing VirtualBox
  • Installing Kali on a Virtual Machine
  • Installing Kali via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
02Getting Started with the Basics6 lectures
  • Introductory Terms & Concepts
  • A Tour of Kali: The Terminal & Filesystem
  • Basic Commands (pwd, whoami, navigation)
  • Getting Help & Manual Pages with man
  • Finding Stuff (locate, whereis, which, find, grep)
  • Modifying Files & Directories
03Text Manipulation4 lectures
  • Viewing Files (head, tail, numbering lines)
  • Filtering Text with grep
  • Find and Replace with sed
  • Viewing Files with more & less
04Analyzing & Managing Networks5 lectures
  • Analyzing Networks with ifconfig
  • Network Statistics with netstat & ss
  • Wireless Devices with iwconfig
  • Changing Your IP, Netmask & MAC Address
  • Manipulating DNS (dig, changing DNS servers)
05Adding & Removing Software4 lectures
  • Handling Software with apt
  • Adding Repositories to sources.list
  • Using a GUI-Based Installer
  • Installing Software with git
06File & Directory Permissions5 lectures
  • Different Types of Users
  • Granting & Checking Permissions
  • Changing Permissions (Decimal & UGO)
  • Secure Default Permissions with Masks
  • Special Permissions: SUID, SGID & Privilege Escalation
07Process Management4 lectures
  • Viewing Processes & Finding Greedy Ones with top
  • Changing Process Priority with nice
  • Killing Processes
  • Background, Foreground & Scheduling Processes
08Managing User Environment Variables4 lectures
  • Changing the Default Shell to Bash
  • Viewing & Modifying Environment Variables
  • Changing Your Shell Prompt
  • Changing Your PATH & Creating Variables
09Bash Scripting5 lectures
  • A Crash Course in Bash
  • Your First Script: Hello, Hackers-Arise!
  • Adding Variables & User Input
  • Your First Hacker Script: Scan for Open Ports
  • Common Built-in Bash Commands
10Compressing & Archiving4 lectures
  • What Is Compression?
  • Tarring Files Together
  • Compressing with gzip, bzip2 & compress
  • Creating Bit-by-Bit Copies of Storage Devices
11Filesystem & Storage Device Management5 lectures
  • The Device Directory /dev
  • Storage Devices, Partitions & Block Devices
  • Listing Devices with lsblk & lsusb
  • Mounting & Unmounting Devices
  • Monitoring Filesystems & Checking Errors
12The Logging System4 lectures
  • The journalctl Utility
  • Log Priorities & Facilities
  • journalctl Queries
  • Covering Your Tracks & Disabling Logging
13Using & Abusing Services4 lectures
  • Starting, Stopping & Restarting Services
  • Creating an HTTP Server with Apache
  • OpenSSH & Building a Raspberry Spy Pi
  • Extracting Information from MySQL/MariaDB
14Becoming Secure & Anonymous5 lectures
  • How the Internet Gives Us Away
  • The Onion Router (Tor) System
  • Proxy Servers
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
  • Encrypted Email
15Understanding & Inspecting Wireless Networks4 lectures
  • Basic Wireless Commands
  • Wi-Fi Recon with aircrack-ng
  • How Bluetooth Works
  • Bluetooth Scanning & Reconnaissance
16The Linux Kernel & Loadable Modules4 lectures
  • What Is a Kernel Module?
  • Checking the Kernel Version
  • Kernel Tuning with sysctl
  • Managing Kernel Modules (modinfo, modprobe)
17Automating Tasks with Job Scheduling4 lectures
  • Scheduling Jobs Automatically
  • Scheduling a Backup Task
  • Using crontab to Schedule Your Scanner
  • Using rc Scripts to Run Jobs at Startup
18Python Scripting Basics for Hackers6 lectures
  • Adding Python Modules & Getting Started
  • Variables, Comments & Functions
  • Lists, Modules & Object-Oriented Programming
  • Network Communications (TCP Client & Listener)
  • Dictionaries, Control Statements & Loops
  • Exceptions & Building a Password Cracker
19Artificial Intelligence for Hackers4 lectures
  • Major Players in AI
  • Using AI in Cybersecurity
  • Social Engineering Attacks with AI
  • Using AI to Write a Bash Script

Requirements

  • A computer with at least 8GB RAM and virtualization support
  • At least 40GB of free disk space for the Kali Linux virtual machine
  • No prior Linux or programming experience required
  • A stable internet connection to download Kali and the required tools

Who this course is for

  • Complete beginners who want to start a career in cybersecurity or pentesting
  • Aspiring ethical hackers who need a solid Linux foundation
  • IT professionals and students moving into security roles
  • Anyone who wants to learn Linux the practical, hacker's way
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