Why Every Hacker Should Know and Use Linux
I have previously highlighted the fact that a genuine hacker must have a good understanding of Linux and be able to use it effectively. However, I believe it is important to explain in more detail why I hold this view. For those of you who are still using Windows, here are the reasons why you should consider switching to Linux.
Linux Is Open Source
Linux is an open-source operating system which means that its source code is available for us to access, change, and modify as per our requirements. This feature is especially useful when we want to make the system operate in ways it was not originally intended to function. The ability to manipulate the source code is essential in such cases. In contrast to Windows, Linux’s open-source nature allows for greater flexibility and customization.
Imagine if Microsoft provided a tool to hack Windows by manipulating its kernel. It’s impossible, right?
Linux Is Transparent
To hack effectively, it is important to have a thorough understanding of your operating system as well as the system you are targeting. Linux is highly transparent, allowing for easy manipulation of its components.
It’s not the same when it comes to Windows. Microsoft intentionally makes it difficult, if not impossible, to understand the inner workings of their operating systems. Hence, when you’re working with Windows, you’re essentially working with an obscured view of what’s happening under the hood, while with Linux, you have a clear and direct view of every component of the operating system. Needless to say, this makes working with Linux more efficient and effective.
Linux Offers Granular Control
Linux provides a highly granular level of control over the system, unlike Windows where you can only control what Microsoft allows you to. From the tiniest to the most comprehensive level, everything in Linux can be controlled via the terminal. Moreover, scripting in any of the scripting languages is simple and effective in Linux.
Most Hacking Tools Are Written for Linux
It is a well-known fact that Linux is the preferred platform for creating hacking tools. In fact, more than 90% of all hacking tools are developed for Linux. While there are a few exceptions like Cain and Abel, those tools only serve to highlight the general trend. Even when hacking tools are ported to Windows, they may not have all the features and capabilities that they would have on Linux.
The Future Belongs to Linux/UNIX
This may seem like a radical statement, but I firmly believe that Linux/Unix is the future, while Microsoft’s growth is stagnating.
Throughout the history of the Internet, the operating system of choice for web servers has been Linux/UNIX. This is due to its stability, reliability, and robustness. Even today, Linux/UNIX continues to dominate the world of web servers, with over two-thirds of the market. Furthermore, embedded systems, such as routers, switches, and other devices, almost always use a Linux kernel. Additionally, Linux dominates the world of virtualization, with both VMWare and Citrix built on the Linux kernel
If you think that mobile devices like tablets and phones are the future of computing (which is hard to dispute), then more than 80% of such devices run either UNIX or Linux (iOS is UNIX, and Android is Linux). On the other hand, Microsoft Windows holds just 7% of this market share. So, it’s worth considering whether hitching up to the Microsoft Windows wagon is the right choice for you.
Hacking is not an area for beginners. It is an exclusive profession in the IT industry that demands a comprehensive understanding of IT concepts and technologies. At the most basic level, Linux is a necessity. If you aspire to make a career in hacking and information security, I highly recommend that you invest your time and effort into using and comprehending Linux.
Article written by Arun Ammisetty and reviewed CyberTalent Team
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