Stage 1 · Lesson 4 of 8
Linux and Windows for security work
and testers move between Linux and Windows all day. Most servers run Linux and most company laptops run Windows. Defenders read logs from both, and application security people usually deploy their code to Linux.
On Linux, get comfortable in the , the text window where you type commands. Learn files and their permissions, users and groups, running programs (processes), background services and where logs live. On Windows, learn users and groups, services, the registry (the central settings store) at a high level, and , where Windows keeps its logs.
Practise with small, safe tasks, such as finding which user owns a file, which services start when the machine boots, or which a service listens on. Permissions decide who may read, change or run each thing, which is where starts.
Common traplearning commands by heart without understanding permissions, which is the idea that most real security issues on both systems come back to.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come with the full roadmap. Unlock
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- CourseFreeProfessor Messer's Security+ (SY0-701) Course
Professor Messer · Beginner
Free video course whose early sections cover general security concepts, threats and cryptography at exactly the right depth
- PlatformFreeTryHackMe
TryHackMe · Beginner
The free pre-security and introductory rooms teach networking, Linux and web basics in guided, browser-based labs