Linux and running simple commands
The installation of Linux was easy when following the steps. When opening the system, I learned how to go into the system and run simple print statements and info commands that were fairly simple. Overall, I learned that the system was similar to Unix which was a class I previously taken.

Lab 2 – Working with Command Line
In the second lab, I learned the basic commands to go into the different directories and to shows/list the current directories involved. Some challenges I came across were the organization of the directories and where things are located. Ultimately, I learned that their are many categories where a directory can fall under.

Lab 3 – Working with VI editor
The third lab was working with VI editor to navigate and edit a file/page. I found this interesting and fun as it was changing the details of a file with commands. A challenge I faced was finding the right commands to execute the right thing I wanted to do. Overall, I learned how important it is to save the edits without messing things up in the process.

Lab 4 – Group and User Management
I found the fourth lab to be quite a challenge. I came across file access and ownership of accounts and users where I had to change the authorization too. Additionally, hashing and encrypting/decrypting were involved for the passwords of the users. The key takeaway I learned was how complex security is within Linux and the users account access and changing of ownership.

Lab 5 – Password Cracking
Lab five was something I found interesting and fun as in introductory to password cracking. I learned a basic password cracker to help break into a user using a dictionary of words. A challenge I faced was the passwords not being able to get cracked even after a long time. Ultimately, I learned the basics to a basic ripper to get passwords of an account.

Lab 6 – File Permissions
This lab was about giving certain users access to certain files while limiting what other users can get into. What I learned was that there can be different levels to what users can do such as reading, writing, and executing. A challenge I faced was giving the certain levels of authority to certain users and not others. Ultimately, I learned how important this is in companies and businesses where levels of authorization are implied.

Lab 7 – Storage Management
Lab seven involved going into the Linux virtual box system to mess with the different storage sizes within the system. I learned about how storage impacts the running of Kali and the different things you can change. Although there were not many challenges within this lab, I learned the significance of storage withing file of linux.

Lab 8 – Shell Scripting
I found this lab to be similar to basic coding where tasks should be executed in certain ways. I learned how similar shell scripting is to coding and how things can be executed in Linux. No challenge was really faced, however, I learned the importance of making sure to be in a bash or other form to make sure things get executed before doing the actual script.

Lab 9 – Task Automation
In this lab, I accessed the system factors to make things run at a certain time automatically within a user. A challenge I faced was the format to make sure it runs at a specific point of time automatically. For example, the arrangement of the days, times, or even week that the system is supposed to run on. Essentially, I learned the significance of having a system that does automated things for the security of the system.

Lab 10 – Networking and Subnetting Basics
Lab 10 was given two tables where I converted IP address and Netmask to binary format to solve and get other categories of the tables. What was challenging was following the format to change the IP address to binary and cracking down the other categories stemming from the IP. In essence, I learned how complex networking and subnetting systems are in reality.

Lab 11 – Basic Network Configuration
Lab 11 I messed with the network configurations within virtual box. I changed from the address of the virtual box machine to my own pc IP address. I saw changes from one port to another and how they were different.

Ultimately, CYSE 270 has gave me a strong understanding of system fundamentals and the basics. It broadened my perspective to how complex systems really are and the details that allow the systems to run how they are. I will use this knowledge from the course in my future to strengthen the understandings and perspective of system to others around.