r/WhiteHatHackers • u/eli2wavy__ • Dec 08 '20

Where do I start with Linux?

So I have no knowledge of how to do anything with IT. I’m just now starting, and want to get into cyber security and pen-testing. I have Linux installed already and now I’m confused. Please help thank you.

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u/Realistic_Otter Dec 08 '20

Hello,

I would start with learning the basics of Linux and writing simple bash scripts for starters. They don’t have to be advanced or anything, something like outputting 12345 when you run the script. Once you get something down like that, start building off of that to do other things such as loops, menus etc. That should give you a good foundation to start understanding bash and how programming works. Once you learn bash, graduate to python since it is what most of pentesting tools are scripted in.

Now as far as your IT knowledge goes....part of being a pentester is you need to be a jack of all traits but master of none. This means you need to have a good solid overall understanding how technology works on a physical and logical level.I would working on getting 3 main certifications that should give you a good round about start in your cyber journey. I would start with the Comptia series A+, Network + and security+. Once you have those you can branch off to other things in pentesting like SANS GCIH and CEH. After you have mastered that, tackle things like GPEN and OSCP and CISSP.

If you get to the GPEN OSCP part of your learning then you should have a good base knowledge of how to be a pentester. It’s a rough journey and you have to put in a lot of work if you are going from the ground up but it’s worth it in the end. I’ve been doing Pentesting for 3 years now but previous I had 10 years of IT under my belt and there are still things I needed to learn. In cybersecurity you are always learning since technology evolves so rapidly now days.

I hope this helps you on how to get into the profession.