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Introduction:
Cybersecurity is a critical field that demands proficiency in command-line tools, vulnerability assessment, and mitigation techniques. Whether you’re an ethical hacker, IT administrator, or security analyst, mastering essential commands for Linux, Windows, and security tools is vital. This article covers verified commands, exploit prevention methods, and hardening techniques to enhance your cybersecurity skills.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand key Linux and Windows commands for security analysis.
- Learn how to detect and mitigate common vulnerabilities.
- Gain hands-on experience with security tools and hardening techniques.
1. Linux Security: Essential Commands for System Hardening
Command:
sudo grep -i "password" /etc/shadow
Step-by-Step Guide:
This command checks the `/etc/shadow` file for password hashes, which is crucial for auditing weak passwords.
1. Open a terminal.
- Run the command with `sudo` to access restricted files.
- Analyze the output for weak or default passwords.
2. Windows Security: Detecting Suspicious Processes
Command:
Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.CPU -gt 90 }
Step-by-Step Guide:
This PowerShell command identifies high-CPU processes, which may indicate malware.
1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Execute the command to list processes consuming >90% CPU.
- Investigate unknown processes using `Task Manager` or
Process Explorer.
3. Vulnerability Scanning with Nmap
Command:
nmap -sV --script vuln <target_IP>
Step-by-Step Guide:
Nmap helps detect vulnerabilities in networked systems.
- Install Nmap (
sudo apt install nmapon Linux). - Replace `
` with the IP you want to scan. - Review results for open ports and potential exploits.
4. Securing SSH Access
Command:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Step-by-Step Guide:
Hardening SSH prevents brute-force attacks.
1. Open the SSH config file.
2. Set `PermitRootLogin no` and `PasswordAuthentication no`.
3. Restart SSH: `sudo systemctl restart sshd`.
5. Detecting Malware with Windows Defender
Command:
Start-MpScan -ScanType FullScan
Step-by-Step Guide:
Windows Defender can perform deep malware scans.
1. Open PowerShell as Admin.
- Run the command for a full system scan.
3. Review results in `Windows Security Center`.
6. Cloud Security: AWS S3 Bucket Hardening
Command:
aws s3api put-bucket-acl --bucket my-bucket --acl private
Step-by-Step Guide:
Prevent data leaks by securing AWS S3 buckets.
1. Install AWS CLI (`aws configure` first).
2. Replace `my-bucket` with your bucket name.
3. Ensure no public access is allowed.
7. API Security: Testing for SQL Injection
Command:
sqlmap -u "http://example.com/api?user=1" --dbs
Step-by-Step Guide:
SQLMap automates SQL injection testing.
1. Install SQLMap (`pip install sqlmap`).
2. Replace the URL with a vulnerable endpoint.
3. Use `–dbs` to list databases if vulnerable.
What Undercode Say:
- Key Takeaway 1: Regular system audits prevent unauthorized access.
- Key Takeaway 2: Automated tools like Nmap and SQLMap enhance vulnerability detection.
Cybersecurity is an evolving field—continuous learning and hands-on practice are essential. Implementing these commands in real-world scenarios will significantly improve your defensive and offensive security skills.
Prediction:
As AI-driven attacks rise, cybersecurity professionals must adapt by integrating AI-based threat detection and automated response systems. Future security frameworks will rely heavily on machine learning to predict and neutralize zero-day exploits.
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Dharamveer Prasad – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
