Linux is the go-to operating system for hackers and security professionals. Whether you’re diving into ethical hacking, penetration testing, or cybersecurity research, mastering Linux is a must. This cheat sheet will help you get started with essential Linux commands and concepts every hacker should know.

📌 Why Linux for Hackers?

  • Open-source & customizable 🛠️
  • Powerful command-line tools 🔥
  • Preferred by cybersecurity experts 👨‍💻
  • Widely used in penetration testing 🔍

🎥 Watch the Video - Linux Basics for Hackers Part 1

🎬 Watch Here: Linux Basics for Hackers - Part 1

🔹 Basic Linux Commands

Command Description
pwd Print current working directory
ls List files and directories
cd Change directory
mkdir Create a directory
rm -rf Remove a file or directory (be careful!)
cp Copy files and directories
mv Move or rename files
cat Display file contents
nano / vim Open file editor
history Show command history
clear Clear the terminal

🔹 User & Permission Commands

Command Description
whoami Show current user
id Display user ID and group ID
sudo Execute command as root
chmod Change file permissions
chown Change file owner
passwd Change user password

🔹 Networking & Reconnaissance

Command Description
ifconfig / ip a Show network interfaces
ping Check network connectivity
netstat Display network connections
nmap Scan network ports
curl / wget Fetch data from a URL
dig / nslookup DNS lookup

🔹 Process & System Monitoring

Command Description
ps Show running processes
top / htop Display system processes
kill Terminate a process
df -h Show disk space usage
free -m Show memory usage
uptime Check system uptime
uname -a Display system info
who Show logged-in users

🔹 File & Directory Navigation

Command Description
find Locate files and directories
grep Search text within files
tar Compress/extract archives
zip / unzip Create/extract ZIP files
locate Find files quickly

🔹 Essential Hacking Tools in Linux

Tool Purpose
nmap Network scanning
Metasploit Exploitation framework
Wireshark Packet analysis
Hydra Brute-force attacks
John the Ripper Password cracking
sqlmap SQL Injection testing
aircrack-ng Wi-Fi penetration testing

This cheat sheet gives you a solid foundation in Linux, essential for cybersecurity and ethical hacking. Keep practicing these commands, explore more tools, and stay updated with new techniques.

🚀 Happy Hacking! 🏴‍☠️