Linux 102 : Lab Skill Builder | Protect This House

A student with no prior knowledge of Linux learns the basics about offensive security tools, Linux operating systems, and technical careers in cybersecurity.

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the class, the student will:

• Know what Offensive Security is.
• Set up a home lab for technical skills
• Know what Linux is.
• Understand the basic philosophy behind Linux operating systems (OS) and where to research and find the right distribution (distro) for their needs. 
• Know the differences between the careers in cybersecurity.

Lesson Prep Work

(30 min, at a minimum, prior to student arrival)

• get in early to test for technology failure, because it will happen 🙂

• pre-boot example tools, websites and Linux OSes to classroom computers
• print handouts

Lesson Prerequisites

• Computer basics
• Basic understanding of the function of a computer 
• Reading

Lesson Outline

The lesson is completed in one (90) minute class session.

(5) minute Introduction

• Introduce instructor, students.
  • Ask students at introduction:  What do you think of when you hear the word “Cyber Security”? Who has skills do you need for cyber security?
• Let students know it’s okay to take phone calls but ask them to put their phone on vibrate and answer calls outside the classroom.
• Inform students that they can sit back and watch if the class is too advanced.
• Inform students they can go to the bathroom, they don’t need permission.
• Show order in which class will happen.  Explain scope of class.

 (80) Activities

Introducing Linux

• (10) Activity: Students play with tools
• What is Linux?
  • Open Source is a development model that promotes:
    • universal access via free license to a product’s design or blueprint
    • universal redistribution of that design or blueprint, including subsequent improvements to it by anyone. (source: Wikipedia [see appendix]).
    • In other words, Open Source means that the details and design of something (whether it’s a program or an object) is made available to anyone who would like to use it, change it, or improve it, as long as you agree to share your changes and improvements with everyone else.
    • Teacher’s Tip: Mention other classes that cover how to use other Open Source software. Mention Duck Duck Go and any other tool recommended for use if students want to get away from corporate tools.
  • The important thing to know about Linux is that it is not a single operating system, but a 100s of OSes that are derived out of a common source.
    • Tip: If students want to know more about this, see appendix for details.
  • A bit of History:
    • Linus Torvalds…
    • The Development…
• Why Linux?
  • Open source
    • Free of charge (mostly)
      • A common phrase in open source software is: “free as in free speech, not free beer.” In other words, while a financial investment isn’t required, users should expect to expend time and energy in learning and troubleshooting the software.
  • Customization and transparency
    • More than any other OS, Linux OSes allow you to customize.
    • Customization allows a chance to more deeply understand how one’s OS works (you’re encouraged to “look under the hood”).
  • Stable
    • Linux OSes are generally robust
    • Linux OSes are mostly free of viruses
  • Compatible
    • Because Linux is light-weight and not proprietary:
      • it can often run older versions of programs no longer supported by Windows or Macs.
      • it can often run more efficiently than new versions of Windows or OSX on older machines.
• Why Not Linux?
  • Direct involvement required
    • Linux OSes don’t usually come with a lot of pre-installed software, so you may need to install even basic programs (e.g. codecs to play music and video).
    • Troubleshooting is left up to the user.
      • The user plays a crucial and active role in troubleshooting.
      • Tip: There are many active user support forums and some distros (like Mint) offer paid support.
      • Tip: Google any problem you have.  Or better yet, DuckDuckGo. For more on why, search Protecting Your Privacy Online for resources and tips for protecting your online presence.
  • Isn’t always able to run Windows/Mac software.
  • Learning curve
    • Varies from distro to distro, but there is often a learning curve when getting started.
    • Can look and feel quite different from Windows/Mac OSes.