Linux Fundamentals - History and Security
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Linux is an operating system like Windows, iOS, Android, or ______.

macOS

An OS manages the whole communication between software and ______.

hardware

Parrot OS is a Debian-based Linux distribution that focuses on security, privacy, and ______.

development

All configuration files for the various services running on the Linux operating system are stored in one or more ______.

<p>text files</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux offers many different tools that we will work with, which can be combined to work together in small, ______ programs.

<p>single-purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux is designed to work mainly with the ______, which gives the user greater control over the operating system.

<p>shell</p> Signup and view all the answers

The kernel is the main component of an operating system. It manages the resources for system's ______ devices at the hardware level.

<p>I/O</p> Signup and view all the answers

Background services are called '______' in Linux.

<p>daemons</p> Signup and view all the answers

The first Linux kernel was created in ______ by Linus Torvalds.

<p>1991</p> Signup and view all the answers

The GNU project, started by Richard Stallman in ______, aimed to create a free Unix-like operating system.

<p>1983</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux is generally considered more ______ than other operating systems.

<p>secure</p> Signup and view all the answers

The GNU General Public License (GPL) was created as a part of the ______ project.

<p>GNU</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux has over ______ distributions available.

<p>600</p> Signup and view all the answers

The overall Android operating system, which runs on smartphones and tablets, is based on the ______ kernel.

<p>Linux</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux has seen a decrease in kernel ______ over the years.

<p>vulnerabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linux is less susceptible to ______ than Windows operating systems.

<p>malware</p> Signup and view all the answers

/bin contains essential command ______.

<p>binaries</p> Signup and view all the answers

/dev contains device files to facilitate access to every ______ device attached to the system.

<p>hardware</p> Signup and view all the answers

/home provides a subdirectory for each user on the system for ______.

<p>storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

/tmp is used by the operating system to store ______ files.

<p>temporary</p> Signup and view all the answers

/var contains variable data files such as log files, email ______, and cron files.

<p>in-boxes</p> Signup and view all the answers

The operating system shell or the command language interpreter is also known as the ______.

<p>command line</p> Signup and view all the answers

Commonly used shells include Bash, Tcsh/Csh, Ksh, Zsh, and ______.

<p>Fish</p> Signup and view all the answers

The graphical sub-system that allows graphical programs to run is known as the ______.

<p>X-server</p> Signup and view all the answers

A graphical user interface can also be referred to as a ______.

<p>GUI</p> Signup and view all the answers

The core of the Linux operating system is called the ______.

<p>kernel</p> Signup and view all the answers

Applications or utilities that perform particular functions for users are known as ______.

<p>utilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

The top-level directory in the Linux filesystem is referred to as the ______.

<p>root filesystem</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Linux operating system is structured in a tree-like hierarchy documented in the ______.

<p>Filesystem Hierarchy Standard</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Linux Kernel History

Linux Kernel development built upon Unix, and BSD, and the GNU project and the GPL. Started as a personal project in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.

Linus Torvalds

Finnish student who initially created the Linux kernel in 1991.

Linux Distributions

Operating systems built upon the Linux kernel with added software and libraries. Examples include Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.

GNU General Public License (GPL)

Licensing framework that allows both commercial and non-commercial use and modification of Linux kernel code.

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Open-source Software

Software freely available with the source code, and can be modified and redistributed by anyone.

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Linux Security

Generally considered more secure than other operating systems, less susceptible to malware, and frequently updated.

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Linux Uses

Linux runs on servers, mainframes, personal computers, embedded systems (like routers, and TV's) and is the basis for the Android mobile OS

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Linux Popularity

Linux is the most widely installed operating system, used in over 600 different distribution types.

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Parrot OS

A Debian-based Linux distribution emphasizing security, privacy, and development, used in Pwnbox

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Everything is a file (Linux)

Linux stores configurations and settings in text files.

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Bootloader (Linux)

A small program that starts the operating system during the boot process

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OS Kernel

The main part of an operating system that manages hardware and software communication

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Daemon (Linux)

Background programs in Linux that run continuously

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/etc/passwd file

Linux file holding user accounts and information

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OS Shell

The interface between the operating system and the user, allowing the user to control the OS.

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Graphics Server

A subsystem in an OS that manages graphical displays, enabling graphical programs to run.

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Window Manager

Part of a GUI that manages and displays windows on the screen. It provides the user interface for interacting with graphical programs.

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Utilities (Linux)

Programs in Linux that perform specific tasks for users or other programs in the OS.

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Linux Kernel

The core of the Linux OS, responsible for managing hardware resources and controlling processes.

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Root Directory (/)

The topmost directory in Linux's file system hierarchy, containing essential booting files and mounted filesystems.

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File System Hierarchy

The structured way files and folders are organized within a Linux system.

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Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS)

A standard that specifies the organization and structure of files and directories in the Linux operating system.

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/bin

This directory contains essential command binaries, like the "ls" command for listing files.

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/boot

This directory contains the static bootloader, the kernel executable, and files needed to start Linux.

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/dev

This directory holds device files that allow access to every hardware component connected to the system.

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/etc

This directory stores local system configuration files, along with possible configurations for installed applications.

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/home

This directory contains subdirectories for each user on the system for storing files.

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Study Notes

Linux Fundamentals - History

  • Linux operating system development stemmed from the Unix OS, released in 1970.
  • The Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) developed in 1977, but faced legal limitations due to AT&T's ownership of Unix code.
  • Richard Stallman's GNU project, initiating in 1983, aimed for a free Unix-like operating system, and the GNU General Public License (GPL) was created.
  • Linux kernel, developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, became a free and widely adopted open-source kernel.
  • The kernel evolved from simple files to over 23 million lines of source code (comment lines excluded), licensed under GPL v2.
  • Linux has more than 600 distributions, such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, and others.

Linux Fundamentals - Security and Performance

  • Linux is generally considered more secure than other operating systems, with fewer and less frequent kernel vulnerabilities.
  • It is less susceptible to malware compared to Windows.
  • Linux provides high performance and is frequently updated.
  • Beginners might find Linux more challenging to use than Windows due to a smaller number of hardware drivers.

Linux Fundamentals - Philosophy

  • Linux follows five core principles:
    • Everything is a file: All configuration files are stored in text files.
    • Small, single-purpose programs: Tools can be combined for complex tasks.
    • Ability to chain programs: Tools can be integrated for large complex tasks.
    • Avoid captive user interfaces: Linux's primary interface is the command-line shell.
    • Configuration data stored in text files: Critical data is easily readable and editable.

Linux Fundamentals - Components

  • Bootloader: A program that guides the booting process to start the OS.
  • Kernel: The main component of the OS managing system hardware resources.
  • Daemons: Background services, like printing or multimedia handling.
  • OS Shell: The interface for communication between the OS and the user.
  • Graphics Server: Responsible for graphical sub-systems (X-server).
  • Window Manager: Provides graphical user interface (GUI) elements (GNOME, KDE, MATE, Unity, Cinnamon).
  • Utilities: Programs for providing specific operating system functions.

Linux Fundamentals - Architecture

  • Linux OS is structured in layers, with each layer interacting with the layers below.
  • Hardware: Consists of physical components (CPU, RAM, hard disk, etc.)
  • Kernel: The core of the OS, managing hardware resources and allocating them to running processes.
  • Shell: Command interpreter for communication with the kernel (e.g., Bash, Zsh).
  • System Utility: Provides access to OS functionality, e.g. file management or networking.

Linux Fundamentals - File System Hierarchy

  • The Linux file system is a hierarchical tree structure.
  • Root Directory (/): The top-level directory containing all other directories, essential files for booting
  • Key directories and their purpose:
    • /bin: Essential command binaries.
    • /boot: Files for booting the system.
    • /dev: Device files for accessing hardware.
    • /etc: Configuration files for the system.
    • /home: User home directories.
    • /lib: Libraries that applications use
    • /media: Mounted external media devices.
    • /mnt: Temporary mount point for filesystems.
    • /opt: Optional third-party software.
    • /proc: Access to kernel information.
    • /root: The root user's home directory.
    • /sbin: System administration utilities.
    • /tmp: Temporary file storage (often cleared).
    • /usr: User applications and libraries.
    • /var: Variable files (logs, email).

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Linux Fundamentals PDF

Description

Explore the rich history of Linux operating systems, from its roots in Unix to the development of the Linux kernel by Linus Torvalds. This quiz also covers Linux's security advantages and performance attributes, highlighting its resilience against malware and kernel vulnerabilities. Test your knowledge on the evolution and strength of Linux today.

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