Become a Linux Pro: A Comprehensive Guide

Set up a virtual lab with VMware Workstation Player, download the Ubuntu desktop ISO, create a new virtual machine, configure host name and credentials, and install Ubuntu.

Navigate the Ubuntu desktop, exploring the purple home screen, desktop versus home folders, the left sidebar apps, trash, storage space, and key system controls like Software Center, lock, and Bluetooth.

Configure Firefox for security by enabling tracking protection, blocking trackers, managing cookies, avoiding autofill, blocking popups, and enforcing https only mode.

Explore the Ubuntu software center interface, browse categories, install apps like Skype, Slack, OBS Studio, and manage installed software, updates, and security by keeping applications up to date.

Learn how to use Ubuntu settings to control network and Bluetooth visibility, personalize wallpaper and colors, manage icons and the taskbar, and configure privacy and device name.

Explore the Ubuntu applications menu, review the system monitor, default items including library office and Ramona remote desktop, and examine startup applications with a note on security considerations.

Open and navigate the Linux terminal with multiple shells, learn to edit commands using arrow keys, view command history, and exit with exit or control d.

Explore how the Linux file system is shown as a slash on the command line, with directories indicated by blue symbols and basics like cd and ls.

Use the print working directory command (pwd) to display your current path and see the home directory, often shown as a tilde. Clear the terminal to tidy your workspace.

Learn how to use the history command to see your past commands, track actions, and understand the environment across local or remote sessions.

Learn to use the cd command to navigate Linux directories, moving to the home directory (tilde) and using dot and dot dot to build and backtrack paths.

Learn how to get help with command usage, use dash help and dash dash help, explore cd options, and read manual pages with man to master Linux commands.

discover how the ls command (listed as lz) lists files in the current directory, reveals hidden dot files with -a and -la, shows owners, groups, and permissions, and supports wildcards.

Create text files with the touch command, list directory contents with ls, and make hidden files by prefixing a name with a dot, using ls -A for hidden file visibility.

Create and view directories, including hidden ones, using mkdir and ls commands; reveal hidden directories with ls -a and organize files in new folders.

Discover how to use the file command to identify file types and targets, such as text files and directories, and speed up the Linux command line with tab completion.

Explore the nano text editor in Linux, navigate with arrow keys, and type and edit a file. Create new files and save with ctrl-x after confirming the filename.

Install the gedit text editor on Linux using sudo and apt-get, and learn about root and pseudo privileges, shoulder surfing protection, password prompts, and saving a file with line numbers.

Install and remove software from the command line using apt-get with sudo, learn the -y auto-yes option, and navigate authorization prompts, password prompts, and possible abort scenarios.

Master cat, head, tail, less, and more to print file contents to the terminal, view the first or last lines, and scroll through long texts efficiently.

Learn to use grep to locate text within files and to filter command results with pipes. See practical examples like searching root in /etc/passwd and prepare for Linux certification exams.

Explore how the echo command prints text to terminal and how file redirection writes that text into a file, including creating or adding to files and the risk of overwriting.

Learn to copy files in Linux using the cp command. Copy a file by specifying the source and a new name (like copied), then verify with ls and cat.

Learn how to use the mv command to move files and directories in Linux, verify moves with ls, and relocate items such as a file to the desktop.

learn how to rename a file in the linux command line by using the mv command, by specifying a new name and applying the rename operation.

Remove files and directories in linux by moving to the home directory, deleting a file with rm, and removing a directory with rmdir or rmds, then verify with ls.

Explore Linux environment variables and user privileges by enumerating who you are, your UID and GID, and using commands like id, whoami, and echo $PATH, including sudo and root access.

Use chmod with numeric values like 600 to restrict access so only the owner can read and write, then verify with ls -l after touch.

Create executable files in linux by writing a bash script with a shebang, use nano to create it, set executable permissions, then run with ./script.

Learn how to administer users through the graphical user interface, including adding users, setting passwords, enabling or disabling automatic login, and reviewing account activity.

Learn to manage users from the command line by creating and deleting accounts, using sudo for privileged actions, setting passwords, granting admin privileges via usermod, and managing processes with kill.

Learn to administer user accounts and groups via the command line, creating the Dragon Fire group, adding Eric with usermod, and preparing for discussion of the password file.

Explore the passwd file to identify root and other user accounts, their uid, gid, home directories, and shells. Learn to lock root, apply 600 permissions, and disable login.

Manage the group file by using hash-tag comments to hide users without deleting data, and enforce least privilege across root, A-Team, and pseudo groups.

The shadow file stores usernames and hashed passwords, making its protection critical for Linux security. Misusing it enables hash cracking with tools, so secure permissions and restrict access.

Set a password for the root account and verify the password hash in /etc/shadow; then lock the root account and disable its login by configuring a no-login shell.

Remove the guest account from the Ubuntu session and disable guest login to close a security flaw. Hide users from the login screen by configuring greeter-hi-users to true, reducing hacking risk.