Module Objectives:

*Why Linux?
*Compiling Programs in Linux
*Scanning Networks
*Mapping Networks
*Password Cracking in Linux
*SARA
*TARA
*Sniffing
*A Pinger in disguise
*Session Hijacking
*Linux Rootkits
*IP Chains and IP Tables
*Linux Security Countermeasures


Keep in mind, for this module, Linux is the Target (victim) machine.....

In this module, we will be looking at Linux systems. (duh). Linux is fast emerging as an affordable, yet available OS. As the popularity is growing, so is the attention players with malicious intent to break into the systems.

Another huge advantage of an open system is a large number of software authors and beta testers. This makes the software testing and refinement process faster and better. Because there is not a lot of commercial software for Linux, most software is written because the authors want to do it and there need be no sacrifice in quality.

Linux is "free" in two senses. In one sense, the Linux consumer is free to modify the system and do anything he or she wishes with it. In another sense, obtaining Linux in the first place does not necessarily require any cash outlay.

There are two very popular methods for obtaining Linux: FTP and CD-ROM. Most of the major Linux distros (Red Hat, Slackware, and Caldera) are available for free download from several popular sites. It may be time-consuming, but it does not cost anything beyond normal connection charges.

Linux is one of the more stable operating systems available today. This is due in large part to fact that Linux was written by programmers who were writing for other programmers and not for the corporate system. There are currently two mature program packaging standards in the Linux world – SuSE and Mandrake. Debian and Red Hat each have their own packaging systems. Both will check dependencies, both can upgrade an entire running system without a reboot. This makes it easy to upgrade parts or all of a system, as well as add new software, or even remove unwanted software.