Lab 1: Install Linux VM
This lab focused on installing Kali Linux as a virtual machine in Oracle VirtualBox and practicing basic Linux terminal commands. I learned how to set up a Linux VM and use commands such as echo, date, ls, and pwd.
My experience completing this lab was helpful because it introduced me to the environment I would use throughout the course. One challenge was making sure the virtual machine was installed correctly and that the terminal commands displayed the correct output.
Overall, this lab helped me become more comfortable using Kali Linux and the command line. It gave me a strong foundation for future labs involving Linux systems and cybersecurity tools.
Lab 2: Working with Command Line
This lab introduced me to the Linux operating system and basic command-line navigation. I learned how to use commands such as pwd, ls, and cd to move through directories and understand the structure of the Linux file system.
My experience completing this lab was helpful because it gave me a foundation for using the terminal. One challenge I faced was remembering the difference between relative and absolute paths. After practicing the commands several times, I became more comfortable navigating through folders.
The key skills I learned from this lab include using the command line, identifying directories, and understanding basic Linux navigation. Overall, this lab helped me understand why Linux is important in cybersecurity and how professionals use the terminal to manage systems.
Lab 3: Working with VI Editor
This lab introduced me to the VI editor in Linux. I learned how to open files, edit text, and switch between insert mode and command mode. At first, the editor felt confusing because it works differently from regular text editors.
One challenge I faced was remembering the commands for saving and exiting the editor. After practicing several times, I became more comfortable using commands such as :w, :q, and :wq.
The key skills I learned from this lab include editing files in the terminal, using command mode, and saving changes in VI. Overall, this lab helped me understand how system administrators edit configuration files directly in Linux, which is an important skill in cybersecurity.
Lab 4: Group and User Management
This lab focused on managing users and groups in Linux. I learned how user accounts are created, modified, and organized into groups. This lab helped me understand how access control works in a Linux system.
My experience completing this lab was useful because user and group management is an important part of system security. One challenge I faced was understanding how permissions connect to users and groups. After reviewing the commands and practicing them, I better understood how administrators control access to system resources.
The key skills I learned include user management, group management, and basic access control. Overall, this lab showed me how Linux administrators protect systems by giving users the correct level of access.
Lab 5: Password Cracking
This lab focused on testing password strength using Linux and John the Ripper. I created six users with different types of passwords, including dictionary words, numbers, and passwords with symbols and uppercase letters.
I learned how weak passwords can be cracked more easily, especially when they are short or based on common words. One challenge was understanding how password hashes work and how John the Ripper uses a wordlist to crack them.
Overall, this lab helped me understand why strong passwords are important in cybersecurity. It showed me that longer passwords with numbers, symbols, and mixed-case letters are much harder to crack than simple passwords.
Lab 6: File Permissions
This lab focused on Linux file permissions. I learned how to view permissions using ls -l and how to change permissions using commands such as chmod. I also learned how read, write, and execute permissions affect files and directories.
My experience completing this lab was very important because file permissions are directly related to cybersecurity. One challenge I faced was understanding the difference between permissions for the owner, group, and others. With practice, I became more comfortable reading permission strings and applying permission changes.
The key skills I learned include reading permission values, changing file permissions, and understanding access control. Overall, this lab helped me understand how Linux protects files from unauthorized access.
Lab 7: Storage Management
This lab focused on checking Linux disk devices, adding a new virtual hard disk, creating a partition, formatting it with the ext4 filesystem, and mounting it to the /cyse directory. I used commands such as ls /dev/sd*, fdisk -l, parted -l, mkfs.ext4, mount, df -h, and umount.
My experience completing this lab was useful because it showed me how Linux detects and manages storage devices. One challenge was understanding the difference between a disk, a partition, a filesystem, and a mount point.
Overall, this lab helped me understand how system administrators prepare and manage storage in Linux, which is important for cybersecurity because secure systems depend on proper file and disk management.
Lab 8: Shell Scripting
This lab focused on writing and running shell scripts in Linux. I practiced using nano or vi to create scripts, adding the shebang line, giving scripts execute permission with chmod +x, and running them from the terminal. The lab included scripts for checking numbers, creating or reading files, and checking directories.
My experience completing this lab was useful because it showed me how scripts can automate basic Linux tasks. One challenge was making sure the script syntax was correct, especially with if statements and file or directory checks.
Overall, this lab helped me understand how shell scripting can make Linux system administration easier and more efficient, which is important in cybersecurity for automating security tasks and managing systems.
Lab 9: Task Automation
This assignment focused on creating automated system backups in Linux. I created a new user named Alice, wrote a shell script to back up Alice’s home directory using a tar archive, moved the backup to /var/backups, and used crontab to schedule the backup to run automatically.
My experience completing this assignment was useful because it showed me how backups can be automated instead of being done manually. One challenge was understanding how to schedule tasks correctly with crontab and manage permissions for the /var/backups directory.
Overall, this assignment helped me understand the importance of regular backups and system cleanup. These skills are important in cybersecurity because backups help protect data and support recovery after system failures or security incidents.
Lab 10: Networking Basics
This assignment focused on learning basic subnetting concepts. I practiced finding the network address, broadcast address, first usable IP, last usable IP, subnet mask, binary format, and maximum number of hosts for different IP addresses. The assignment also included an extra credit shell script using both a for loop and a while loop to print numbers from 0 to 10.
My experience completing this assignment was helpful because subnetting takes practice and attention to detail. One challenge was making sure the binary conversions and host ranges were correct.
Overall, this assignment helped me better understand how IP addresses are divided into networks, which is important for networking, system administration, and cybersecurity.
Lab 11: Basic Network Configuration
This lab focused on exploring basic network settings in Linux. I practiced using commands such as ifconfig, route -n, netstat -ant, ping, host, and cat to view IP addresses, routing tables, TCP connections, DNS information, and the system hostname. I also changed the VM network mode from NAT to bridged mode and compared the differences.
My experience completing this lab was helpful because it showed me how Linux systems connect to a network and how network settings change based on the VM adapter mode. One challenge was understanding the difference between NAT and bridged networking.
Overall, this lab helped me better understand network configuration, troubleshooting, and connectivity testing, which are important skills for cybersecurity and system administration.