Essential Cybersecurity Basics Every Beginner Should Know

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Starting out in cybersecurity can be overwhelming, but mastering the fundamentals is crucial. Below are key concepts, commands, and practical steps to strengthen your cybersecurity foundation.

You Should Know:

1. Basic Linux Commands for Cybersecurity

Linux is widely used in cybersecurity. Here are essential commands:

 File System Navigation 
ls -la  List all files (including hidden) 
cd /var/log  Navigate to log directory 
pwd  Print working directory

Network Commands 
ifconfig  Check network interfaces (use `ip a` in newer Linux) 
netstat -tuln  List active connections 
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1  Scan a target for open ports and services

Process Management 
ps aux  List all running processes 
kill -9 [bash]  Force-stop a process

File Permissions 
chmod 600 file.txt  Restrict file access to owner only 
chown root:root file.txt  Change file ownership 

2. Essential Windows Commands for Security Checks

Windows also has powerful command-line tools:

:: Network Diagnostics 
ipconfig /all  Display network configuration 
netstat -ano  Show active connections with PIDs 
tasklist | findstr "suspicious.exe"  Find malicious processes

:: System Security Checks 
whoami  Check current user 
systeminfo  Get detailed system info 
wmic qfe list  List installed Windows updates 

3. Practical Cybersecurity Steps

  • Enable Firewall & Disable Unnecessary Services:
    sudo ufw enable  Enable firewall in Linux 
    
    netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state on  Enable Windows Firewall 
    

  • Check for Suspicious Logins:

    last -a  View login history (Linux) 
    
    Get-WinEvent -LogName Security | Where-Object {$_.ID -eq 4624}  Windows login events 
    

  • Password Security:

Use `hashcat` to test password strength:

hashcat -m 1000 hashed_passwords.txt rockyou.txt  Crack hashes using a wordlist 

What Undercode Say:

Cybersecurity is a continuous learning journey. Start with these basics, practice in virtual labs, and explore tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, and Burp Suite. Always stay updated with security news and vulnerabilities.

Expected Output:

  • A structured cybersecurity learning path.
  • Hands-on practice with real-world commands.
  • Improved system security awareness.

Prediction:

As cyber threats evolve, beginners who master foundational skills early will have a competitive edge in the industry. Automation and AI-driven security tools will shape future defenses, but core command-line expertise remains essential.

(No URLs extracted as the original post did not contain relevant cyber links.)

References:

Reported By: Esther Djan – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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