Linux Essentials for Cybersecurity Lab Manual

Over 75 labs will accompany the textbook developed to be used within the Pearson IT Cybersecurity Curriculum (ITCC).  Course 4: Linux Fundamentals for Cybersecurity, which introduces fundamental Linux concepts from proper set-up installation through administration of accounts, devices, services, processes, and functions. This course also covers basic scripting taught to understand tools for Penetration Testing and cybersecurity threat detection.

At the impressionable age of 14, William “Bo” Rothwell crossed paths with a TRS-80 Micro Computer System (affectionately known as a “Trash 80”). Soon after the adults responsible for Bo made the mistake of leavin him alone with the TRS-80, he immediately dismantled it and held his first computer class, showing his friends what made this “computer thing” work.

Since that experience, Bo’s passion for understanding how computers work and sharing this knowledge with others has resulted in a rewarding career in IT training. His experience includes Linux, Unix, and programming languages such as Perl, Python, Tcl, and BASH. He is the founder and president of One Course Source, an IT training organization.

Part I: Introducing Linux Chapter 1: Distributions and key components 1.1 Installing CentOS 1.2 Installing Ubuntu 1.3 Installing Kali Chapter 2: Working on the command line 2.1 Manage files 2.2 Using shell features 2.3 Compressing files Chapter 3: Getting help 3.1 Getting help with man 3.2 Getting help with info Chapter 4: Editing files 4.1 Edit files with the vim editor Chapter 5: When things go wrong 5.1 Troubleshooting Linux issues 5.2 Configuring user notifications
Part II: User and group accounts Chapter 6: Managing group accounts 6.1 Manage group accounts 6.2 Manage group administrators Chapter 7: Managing user account 7.1 Manage user accounts 7.2 Secure user accounts 7.3 Configure sudo Chapter 8: Develop an account security policy 8.1 Test the security of accounts 8.2 Develop a account security policy
Part III: File and data storage Chapter 9: File permissions 9.1 Manage file permissions 9.2 Manage special permissions 9.3 Enable Access Control Lists 9.4 Manage file attributes 9.5 Monitor security issues with SELinux Chapter 10: Manage local storage: Concepts 10.1 Create partitions and filesystems 10.2 Mount filesystems at boot 10.3 Manage swap devices Chapter 11: Manage local storage: Practical application 11.1 Manage encrypted filesystems 11.2 Configure Logical Volumes 11.3 Administer disk quotas 11.4 Manage hard and soft links Chapter 12: Manage network storage 12.1 Configure Samba 12.2 Administer NFS 12.3 Manage iSCSI Chapter 13: Develop a storage security policy  13.1 Backup a filesystem 13.2 Develop a backup security policy
Part IV: Automation Chapter 14: Crontab and at 14.1 Manage crontab 14.2 Configure at commands Chapter 15: Scripting 15.1 Script project #1 15.2 Script project #2 Chapter 16: Common automation tasks 15.3 Script project #3 15.4 Script project #4 Chapter 17: Develop an automation security policy 17.1 Secure crontab 17.2 Create a automation security policy
Part V: Networking Chapter 18: Networking basics 18.1 Explore networking componets Chapter 19: Network configuration 19.1 Configure networking on CentOS 19.2 Configure networking on Ubuntu" Chapter 20: Network service configuration: Essential services 20.1 Configure a BIND server 20.2 Configure a Postfix server 20.3 Administer procmail and Dovecot Chapter 21: Network service configuration: Web services 21.1 Configure and administer an Apache server 21.2. Configure a proxy server Chapter 22: Connecting to remote systems 22.1 Create an LDAP server 22.2 Configure a FTP server 22.3 Administer a SSH server Chapter 23: Develop an network security policy 23.1 Administer kernel security parameters 23.2 Secure the system with TCP Wrappers 23.3 Configure Network Time Protocol 23.4 Create a networking security policy
Part VI: Process and log administration Chapter 24: Process control 24.1 Manage system processes 24.2 Display system information" Chapter 25: System logging 25.1 Manage log files 25.1 Configure log rotation
Part VII: Software management Chapter 26: Red Hat-based software management 26.1 Manage software packages with rpm 26.2 Manage software packages with yum Chapter 27: Debian-based software management 27.1 Manage software packages with dpkg 27.2 Manage software packages with apt Chapter 28: System booting 28.1 Configure GRUB  28.2 Manage the startup process Chapter 29: Develop a software management security policy  29.1 Explore Common Vulerabilities and Exposure reports 29.2 Manage and secure legacy services
Part VII: Security tasks Chapter 30: Footprinting 30.1 Use probing tools 30.2 Scan the network Chapter 31: Firewalls 31.1 Create a firewall to protect a system 31.2 Impliment NAT Chapter 32: Intrusion Detection 32.1 Scan the system to determine if it has been compromised 32.2 Use IDS Tools Chapter 33: Additional security tasks 33.1 Configure fail2ban 33.2  Impliment a VPN 33.3 Encrypt files with gpg