Technically Technical: 📘 Kali Linux & Ethical Hacking - Student Command Guide with Expected Outputs

🔐 Kali Linux & Ethical Hacking for College Students –

In today’s digital world, cybersecurity skills are no longer optional—they are essential. This Kali Linux & Ethical Hacking program for college students is a beginner-friendly, hands-on course designed to build strong foundations in Linux, networking, and ethical hacking concepts using real-world tools and legal lab environments.

Through a structured 30-day learning path, students gain practical exposure to Linux commands, system administration, network scanning, vulnerability assessment, and cybersecurity best practices. The program emphasizes ethical awareness, cyber laws, and responsible hacking, preparing learners for internships, CTF challenges, and entry-level cybersecurity roles.

Ideal for engineering, science, IT, and management students, this course bridges the gap between academics and industry by focusing on skills, documentation, and career readiness.

🟢 WEEK 1: Linux Basics (Foundation Commands)

1️⃣ Check Current Location

pwd

Expected Output


/home/kali

Student Learns:
→ You are currently inside the kali user’s home directory.

2️⃣ List Files & Folders

ls

Expected Output


Desktop  Documents  Downloads  Music  Pictures  Videos


ls -l

Expected Output


drwxr-xr-x 2 kali kali 4096 Documents

Learns:

d = directory
rwx = permissions

3️⃣ Change Directory


cd Documents
pwd

Expected Output


/home/kali/Documents


cd ..
pwd

Expected Output


/home/kali

4️⃣ Create Files & Folders


mkdir cyberlab
cd cyberlab
touch notes.txt
ls

Expected Output


notes.txt

5️⃣ View File Content


cat notes.txt

Expected Output


(empty output)


echo "My first Linux note" >> notes.txt
cat notes.txt

Expected Output


My first Linux note

6️⃣ Edit Files


nano notes.txt

Expected Result

Nano editor opens
Student edits text
Save: CTRL + O
Exit: CTRL + X

7️⃣ File Permissions


ls -l notes.txt

Expected Output


-rw-r--r-- 1 kali kali 23 notes.txt


chmod 700 notes.txt
ls -l notes.txt

Expected Output


-rwx------ 1 kali kali 23 notes.txt

Learns:
Only owner can read/write/execute.

🟢 WEEK 2: System & Networking Commands

8️⃣ User Identity


whoami

Expected Output


kali

id

Expected Output


uid=1000(kali) gid=1000(kali)

9️⃣ Process Monitoring

ps

Expected Output


PID TTY      TIME CMD

top

Expected Result

Live CPU & memory usage
Press q to exit

🔟 Disk & Memory


df -h

Expected Output


Filesystem Size Used Avail Use%


free -h

Expected Output


Mem: 7.6Gi 1.2Gi 5.8Gi

1️⃣1️⃣ Network Information


ip a

Expected Output


inet 192.168.56.101/24


ping google.com

Expected Output


64 bytes from google.com

(Stop with CTRL + C)

1️⃣2️⃣ Install Software


sudo apt install htop

Expected Output


Setting up htop...


htop

Expected Result

Interactive process viewer

1️⃣3️⃣ Services & SSH


systemctl status ssh

Expected Output


Active: active (running)


ssh localhost

Expected Result

Password prompt
Local SSH login

🟡 WEEK 3: Ethical Hacking Core Commands

1️⃣6️⃣ WHOIS Lookup


whois google.com

Expected Output


Registrant Organization: Google LLC

Learns:
Ownership & registration info

1️⃣7️⃣ DNS Lookup


nslookup google.com

Expected Output


Address: 142.250.xxx.xxx

1️⃣8️⃣ Nmap Scan (Safe Lab Only)


nmap 127.0.0.1

Expected Output


PORT     STATE SERVICE
22/tcp   open  ssh


nmap -sV 127.0.0.1

Expected Output


OpenSSH 8.4

1️⃣9️⃣ Vulnerability Scan


nmap --script vuln 127.0.0.1

Expected Output


No vulnerabilities found

(This is GOOD – secure system)

2️⃣0️⃣ Metasploit Framework


msfconsole

Expected Output


msf6 >


help

Learns:
Framework structure, not exploitation

2️⃣1️⃣ Password Hash Demo


john --test

Expected Output


Benchmarking completed

🟠 WEEK 4: Scripting, Logs & Career Skills

2️⃣2️⃣ Bash Script Example


nano scan.sh

Script Content


#!/bin/bash
echo "Scanning localhost"
nmap 127.0.0.1


chmod +x scan.sh
./scan.sh

Expected Output


Scanning localhost
PORT  STATE SERVICE

2️⃣4️⃣ Log Analysis


ls /var/log

Expected Output


auth.log  syslog  kern.log


sudo cat /var/log/auth.log

Learns:
Login & security events

2️⃣5️⃣ Burp Suite


burpsuite

Expected Result

GUI opens
Intercept ON/OFF
Proxy awareness

2️⃣9️⃣ GitHub Basics


git init
git add .
git commit -m "My cybersecurity labs"

Expected Output


1 file changed

✅ Recommended (Modern Linux)


ip a


ip addr

Expected Output (Sample)


inet 192.168.56.101/24

👉 Shows IP address, subnet, interfaces

⚠️ Older (Still Works in Kali)


ifconfig

(May require net-tools)


sudo apt install net-tools

🔁 Windows ↔ Linux Command Equivalents (Must-Know)

📡 Networking Commands

Windows Command Linux Equivalent Purpose
`ipconfig` `ip a` / `ifconfig` Show IP address
`ipconfig /all` `ip a` Full network details
`ping` `ping` Check connectivity
`tracert` `traceroute` Trace route
`netstat -an` `ss -tuln` Open ports
`arp -a` `ip neigh` ARP table
`nslookup` `nslookup` DNS lookup
`route print` `ip route` Routing table

Windows Command	Linux Equivalent	Purpose
`ipconfig`	`ip a` / `ifconfig`	Show IP address
`ipconfig /all`	`ip a`	Full network details
`ping`	`ping`	Check connectivity
`tracert`	`traceroute`	Trace route
`netstat -an`	`ss -tuln`	Open ports
`arp -a`	`ip neigh`	ARP table
`nslookup`	`nslookup`	DNS lookup
`route print`	`ip route`	Routing table

🖥️ System Information

Windows Linux Purpose
`systeminfo` `neofetch` System info
`tasklist` `ps aux` Running processes
`taskkill` `kill PID` Kill process
`hostname` `hostname` System name
`whoami` `whoami` Logged-in user

Windows	Linux	Purpose
`systeminfo`	`neofetch`	System info
`tasklist`	`ps aux`	Running processes
`taskkill`	`kill PID`	Kill process
`hostname`	`hostname`	System name
`whoami`	`whoami`	Logged-in user

📁 File & Directory Management

Windows Linux Purpose
`dir` `ls` List files
`cd` `cd` Change directory
`mkdir` `mkdir` Create folder
`rmdir` `rmdir` Delete empty folder
`copy` `cp` Copy files
`move` `mv` Move/rename
`del` `rm` Delete file

Windows	Linux	Purpose
`dir`	`ls`	List files
`cd`	`cd`	Change directory
`mkdir`	`mkdir`	Create folder
`rmdir`	`rmdir`	Delete empty folder
`copy`	`cp`	Copy files
`move`	`mv`	Move/rename
`del`	`rm`	Delete file

🔐 User & Permissions

Windows Linux Purpose
`whoami /groups` `id` User info
`net user` `cat /etc/passwd` User list
`runas` `sudo` Admin access
— `chmod` Change permissions
— `chown` Change ownership

Windows	Linux	Purpose
`whoami /groups`	`id`	User info
`net user`	`cat /etc/passwd`	User list
`runas`	`sudo`	Admin access
—	`chmod`	Change permissions
—	`chown`	Change ownership

📦 Software & Updates

Windows Linux Purpose
`winget install` `apt install` Install software
`winget remove` `apt remove` Uninstall
Windows Update `apt update` Update list
— `apt upgrade` Upgrade system

Windows	Linux	Purpose
`winget install`	`apt install`	Install software
`winget remove`	`apt remove`	Uninstall
Windows Update	`apt update`	Update list
—	`apt upgrade`	Upgrade system

🔥 Ethical Hacking–Relevant Commands (Beginner)

Purpose Command
Check open ports `ss -tuln`
Scan network `nmap`
Show DNS info `dig`
Check firewall `iptables -L`
Monitor traffic `tcpdump`
Wireless info `iwconfig`

Purpose	Command
Check open ports	`ss -tuln`
Scan network	`nmap`
Show DNS info	`dig`
Check firewall	`iptables -L`
Monitor traffic	`tcpdump`
Wireless info	`iwconfig`

🧠 Exam / Viva Tip for Students

Q: What is the Linux equivalent of `ipconfig`?
A: `ip a` (preferred) or `ifconfig` (legacy)

📌 Students: “If you know Windows commands, Linux is just a translation—not a new language.”

✅ What Students MUST Be Able to Explain in Exams / Viva

Difference between ls and ls -l
What an IP address is
Why ports matter
What Nmap does
Why ethical hacking needs permission
Difference between scanning & attacking

Sunday, 15 December 2024

📘 Kali Linux & Ethical Hacking - Student Command Guide with Expected Outputs - Beginner Program

🔐 Kali Linux & Ethical Hacking for College Students –

🟢 WEEK 1: Linux Basics (Foundation Commands)

1️⃣ Check Current Location

2️⃣ List Files & Folders

3️⃣ Change Directory

4️⃣ Create Files & Folders

5️⃣ View File Content

6️⃣ Edit Files

7️⃣ File Permissions

🟢 WEEK 2: System & Networking Commands

8️⃣ User Identity

9️⃣ Process Monitoring

🔟 Disk & Memory

1️⃣1️⃣ Network Information

1️⃣2️⃣ Install Software

1️⃣3️⃣ Services & SSH

🟡 WEEK 3: Ethical Hacking Core Commands

1️⃣6️⃣ WHOIS Lookup

1️⃣7️⃣ DNS Lookup

1️⃣8️⃣ Nmap Scan (Safe Lab Only)

1️⃣9️⃣ Vulnerability Scan

2️⃣0️⃣ Metasploit Framework

2️⃣1️⃣ Password Hash Demo

🟠 WEEK 4: Scripting, Logs & Career Skills

2️⃣2️⃣ Bash Script Example

2️⃣4️⃣ Log Analysis

2️⃣5️⃣ Burp Suite

2️⃣9️⃣ GitHub Basics

✅ Recommended (Modern Linux)

ip a or ip addr Expected Output (Sample) inet 192.168.56.101/24 👉 Shows IP address, subnet, interfaces

⚠️ Older (Still Works in Kali)

ifconfig (May require net-tools) sudo apt install net-tools

🔁 Windows ↔ Linux Command Equivalents (Must-Know)

📡 Networking Commands

Windows CommandLinux EquivalentPurposeipconfigip a / ifconfigShow IP addressipconfig /allip aFull network detailspingpingCheck connectivitytracerttracerouteTrace routenetstat -anss -tulnOpen portsarp -aip neighARP tablenslookupnslookupDNS lookuproute printip routeRouting table

🖥️ System Information

WindowsLinuxPurposesysteminfoneofetchSystem infotasklistps auxRunning processestaskkillkill PIDKill processhostnamehostnameSystem namewhoamiwhoamiLogged-in user

📁 File & Directory Management

WindowsLinuxPurposedirlsList filescdcdChange directorymkdirmkdirCreate folderrmdirrmdirDelete empty foldercopycpCopy filesmovemvMove/renamedelrmDelete file

🔐 User & Permissions

WindowsLinuxPurposewhoami /groupsidUser infonet usercat /etc/passwdUser listrunassudoAdmin access—chmodChange permissions—chownChange ownership

📦 Software & Updates

WindowsLinuxPurposewinget installapt installInstall softwarewinget removeapt removeUninstallWindows Updateapt updateUpdate list—apt upgradeUpgrade system

🔥 Ethical Hacking–Relevant Commands (Beginner)

PurposeCommandCheck open portsss -tulnScan networknmapShow DNS infodigCheck firewalliptables -LMonitor traffictcpdumpWireless infoiwconfig

🧠 Exam / Viva Tip for Students

Q: What is the Linux equivalent of ipconfig? A: ip a (preferred) or ifconfig (legacy)

📌 Students: “If you know Windows commands, Linux is just a translation—not a new language.”

✅ What Students MUST Be Able to Explain in Exams / Viva

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`ip a`

or

`ip addr`

Expected Output (Sample)

`inet 192.168.56.101/24`

👉 Shows IP address, subnet, interfaces

`ifconfig`

(May require net-tools)

`sudo apt install net-tools`

Windows Linux Purpose
`systeminfo` `neofetch` System info
`tasklist` `ps aux` Running processes
`taskkill` `kill PID` Kill process
`hostname` `hostname` System name
`whoami` `whoami` Logged-in user

Windows Linux Purpose
`dir` `ls` List files
`cd` `cd` Change directory
`mkdir` `mkdir` Create folder
`rmdir` `rmdir` Delete empty folder
`copy` `cp` Copy files
`move` `mv` Move/rename
`del` `rm` Delete file

Windows Linux Purpose
`whoami /groups` `id` User info
`net user` `cat /etc/passwd` User list
`runas` `sudo` Admin access
— `chmod` Change permissions
— `chown` Change ownership

Windows Linux Purpose
`winget install` `apt install` Install software
`winget remove` `apt remove` Uninstall
Windows Update `apt update` Update list
— `apt upgrade` Upgrade system

Purpose Command
Check open ports `ss -tuln`
Scan network `nmap`
Show DNS info `dig`
Check firewall `iptables -L`
Monitor traffic `tcpdump`
Wireless info `iwconfig`

Q: What is the Linux equivalent of `ipconfig`?
A: `ip a` (preferred) or `ifconfig` (legacy)