Full Hands-On Ethical Hacking Course with Kali Linux for Beginners Step-by-Step | Cyber Security

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to guide beginners through the essentials of ethical hacking using Kali Linux. It covers fundamental concepts, commands, and tools necessary for penetration testing and network security. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a solid foundation in ethical hacking practices that can help protect systems from vulnerabilities.

Step 1: Understanding Kali Linux

• Kali Linux is a specialized operating system tailored for penetration testing and ethical hacking.
• It comes pre-installed with numerous security tools and utilities that are essential for cybersecurity professionals.
• Familiarize yourself with the interface and features of Kali Linux to maximize its potential.

Step 2: Basic Commands and Terminal Customization

• Learn essential terminal commands to navigate and utilize Kali Linux effectively.

Key Commands

1. ls: Lists files and directories in the current directory.
2. cd: Changes the directory.
3. nano: Opens a text editor for creating or editing files.
4. cat: Displays the contents of a file or creates files.
5. mkdir: Creates new directories.
6. grep: Searches for specific patterns within files.
7. wc: Counts lines, words, and characters in text.
8. cp: Copies files from one location to another.
9. rm: Removes files or directories.

Practical Tips

• Customize your terminal for better visibility and usability, such as changing color schemes or fonts.

Step 3: Working with Files and Directories

• Use the ls, cd, mkdir, cat, and rm commands to manage your files and directories effectively.
• Create a directory for your hacking projects to keep things organized.

Step 4: User Management

• Understand the types of users in Linux, focusing on the root user and standard users.
• Use the sudo command to perform administrative tasks, which allows you to execute commands with elevated privileges.

Step 5: Network Configuration

• Use the ip addr command to check your network settings and interfaces.
• Install necessary packages using package managers like apt.

Step 6: Introduction to Nmap

• Nmap is a powerful network scanning tool.
• Learn how to install and use Nmap to scan for open ports on systems.

Steps to Scan Ports with Nmap

1. Open a terminal.
2. Type the command:

   nmap [target IP address]
   

3. Analyze the output to find open ports and services running on the target.

Step 7: WiFi Security and Aircrack-ng

• Understand the importance of securing WiFi networks and how to use Aircrack-ng for testing network security.
• Enable monitor mode on your wireless card to capture traffic.

Steps for WiFi Network Scanning

1. Enable monitor mode:

   airmon-ng start wlan0
   

2. Scan for networks and capture traffic using Aircrack-ng tools.

Step 8: Capturing Handshakes and Attacks

• Learn about the 4-way handshake process and how to capture it for testing WiFi security.
• Understand de-authentication attacks and how to perform them to capture handshakes.

Steps for Capturing a 4-Way Handshake

1. Use the following command to perform a de-authentication attack:

   aireplay-ng --deauth 10 -a [AP MAC] -c [Client MAC] wlan0
   

Step 9: Cracking WiFi Passwords

• Understand the concept of wordlists and dictionary attacks.
• Use tools like Hashcat or Aircrack-ng to attempt to crack captured handshakes.

Example Command for Cracking

aircrack-ng -w [path to wordlist] [capture file]

Step 10: Monitoring Network Traffic with Wireshark

• Learn how to use Wireshark for network traffic analysis.
• Capture packets and analyze them for potential security threats.

Conclusion

This tutorial provides a foundational understanding of ethical hacking using Kali Linux. By mastering the commands and tools discussed, you can begin your journey in cybersecurity. To further enhance your skills, consider enrolling in specialized courses or practicing on virtual labs. Stay updated on the latest security trends and continuously hone your skills to protect against emerging threats.