Mastering Cybersecurity: Essential Commands and Techniques for IT Professionals

By /

Listen to this Post

Featured Image

Introduction

Cybersecurity is a critical field in today’s digital landscape, requiring professionals to master tools, commands, and techniques to protect systems from threats. This article provides verified commands for Linux, Windows, and cybersecurity tools, along with step-by-step guides to enhance your defensive and offensive security skills.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand essential Linux and Windows security commands.
  • Learn how to detect vulnerabilities and harden systems.
  • Gain hands-on experience with cybersecurity tools and techniques.

1. Linux Security: Hardening SSH Access

Command:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open the SSH configuration file using the command above.

2. Modify the following settings for better security:

– `PermitRootLogin no` (disable root login)
– `PasswordAuthentication no` (enforce key-based authentication)
– `Port 2222` (change default port from 22 to reduce brute-force attacks)
3. Save the file and restart the SSH service:

sudo systemctl restart sshd

Why It Matters:

Changing default SSH settings reduces attack surfaces and prevents unauthorized access.

2. Windows Security: Detecting Suspicious Processes

Command (PowerShell):

Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.CPU -gt 90 } | Format-Table -AutoSize

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.

  1. Run the command to list processes consuming over 90% CPU (common in malware attacks).

3. Investigate unusual processes using:

Get-Process -Name "suspicious_process" | Stop-Process -Force

Why It Matters:

Identifying high-CPU processes helps detect malware or cryptominers running in the background.

3. Vulnerability Scanning with Nmap

Command:

nmap -sV --script vuln <target_IP>

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install Nmap if not already present:

sudo apt install nmap

2. Run the scan to detect vulnerabilities on a target system.
3. Review results for open ports, services, and potential exploits.

Why It Matters:

Proactive scanning helps identify weaknesses before attackers exploit them.

4. Cloud Security: AWS S3 Bucket Hardening

Command (AWS CLI):

aws s3api put-bucket-policy --bucket my-bucket --policy file://policy.json

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Create a `policy.json` file with strict access controls:
    {
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Principal": "",
"Action": "s3:",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/",
"Condition": {
"Bool": { "aws:SecureTransport": false }
}
}
]
}

2. Apply the policy to enforce HTTPS-only access.

Why It Matters:

Prevents accidental public exposure and enforces encrypted connections.

5. API Security: Testing for SQL Injection

Command (using SQLmap):

sqlmap -u "http://example.com/api?user=1" --dbs

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install SQLmap:

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/sqlmapproject/sqlmap.git

2. Test an API endpoint for SQL injection vulnerabilities.
3. If vulnerable, patch the API with parameterized queries.

Why It Matters:

SQL injection remains a top web vulnerability; testing prevents data breaches.

6. Firewall Rules: Blocking Malicious IPs

Command (Linux – iptables):

sudo iptables -A INPUT -s 192.168.1.100 -j DROP

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. List current rules:

sudo iptables -L

2. Block a malicious IP address.

3. Make rules persistent:

sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Why It Matters:

Prevents brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts.

7. Log Analysis: Detecting Intrusions

Command (Linux – grep for failed SSH attempts):

grep "Failed password" /var/log/auth.log

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Check authentication logs for brute-force attempts.

  1. Use tools like Fail2Ban to automate IP blocking.

Why It Matters:

Log analysis helps detect and respond to attacks in real time.

What Undercode Say:

  • Key Takeaway 1: Proactive security measures (firewalls, SSH hardening) reduce attack surfaces.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Automated scanning (Nmap, SQLmap) identifies vulnerabilities before exploitation.
  • Future Impact: AI-driven attacks will require adaptive defenses, making command-line expertise even more critical.

By mastering these commands and techniques, IT professionals can significantly improve their cybersecurity posture. Stay vigilant, automate defenses, and continuously update skills to counter evolving threats.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Aditya Chandak – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Related Posts: