🚀 First Steps with the Linux Terminal: A Friendly Guide for Future Ethical Hackers

When you get into the world of cybersecurity, the Linux terminal becomes your best friend.
Yes, that black screen where you type commands like a movie hacker (but you’ll actually understand what you’re doing 😎).

🎯 Why the Terminal is So Important

• Many security tools don’t have a graphical interface.
• You’ll often connect to remote machines via SSH — only terminal access.
• GUIs crash. The terminal? Rock solid.

🧩 Essential Commands to Get Comfortable

📍 1. Where are you? (pwd)

pwd

Prints your current working directory.
Basically it means Print Working Directory
🧠 Example: /root

📂 2. What’s inside? (ls)

ls

Lists files and directories in the current folder.

• ls -l: includes permissions, size, date
• ls -a: shows hidden files too

🏃‍♂️ 3. Navigate folders (cd)

cd folder_name

Move into a folder.

• cd ..: go back
• cd /: go to root

📖 4. Need help with a command?

man command
command --help

Read full documentation or quick help.

🧽 5. Clear the screen

clear

🔁 Command history & autocompletion

• 🔼 Up arrow: previously used commands
• Tab: autocomplete folder/file names

🛠️ Installing Programs

apt-get is your personal Linux butler that takes care of installing, updating and removing programs on your system.
It literally means Advanced Packaging Tool – GET

📋 1. Update the list

sudo apt-get update

📥 2. Install a program

sudo apt-get install program_name

Example: terminator

🌐 Handy Resources

• LinuxCommand.org
• ExplainShell

❓ Interactive Quiz

Choose the correct answer:

1. What command shows your current directory?

   • [ ] ls
   • [ ] pwd
   • [ ] cd

2. How do you enter the Downloads folder?

   • [ ] cd Downloads
   • [ ] ls Downloads
   • [ ] open Downloads

3. How do you go back one directory?

   • [ ] cd …
   • [ ] back
   • [ ] exit

4. What does ls -l show?

   • [ ] Only hidden files
   • [ ] Files with extra details
   • [ ] Files in alphabetical order

5. Where do you find help for a command?

   • [ ] man command
   • [ ] help command
   • [ ] info command

🧠 Correct Answers: 1B, 2A, 3A, 4B, 5A