Linux for Ethical Hacking Interview Questions — Flashcards | inGrade

Question 1

Why is Linux widely used in ethical hacking?

Accepted Answer

Linux is popular in ethical hacking due to its flexibility, security, and compatibility with a wide array of hacking tools. Distributions like Kali Linux and Parrot OS include pre-installed penetration testing tools.

Question 2

What Linux distributions are commonly used in hacking?

Accepted Answer

Kali Linux is designed for penetration testing. Parrot OS focuses on lightweight hacking and anonymity. BlackArch contains over 2,500 tools for advanced users.

Question 3

What are essential Linux command-line basics for ethical hackers?

Accepted Answer

Key commands include ls (list files), cd (change directory), cat/less (view files), find/locate (search files), chmod (change permissions), and piping (|) to chain commands for efficient data processing.

Question 4

What is the Linux file system hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Linux follows a hierarchical structure from root (/). Key directories: /bin (binaries), /etc (configuration files), /home (user directories), /var/log (logs), and /proc (process information).

Question 5

What are file permissions in Linux and how do you change them?

Accepted Answer

Permissions define read (r), write (w), and execute (x) access for owner, group, and others. Use chmod to change them — e.g., chmod 755 file gives full access to owner and read-execute to others.

Question 6

What networking commands are essential in Linux?

Accepted Answer

Key commands: ifconfig/ip (configure interfaces), netstat/ss (active connections), ping (test connectivity), nmap (port scanning), and Wireshark/Tcpdump (packet sniffing).

Question 7

What is process management in Linux?

Accepted Answer

Processes are managed with ps/top (list processes), kill (terminate a process), nice/renice (adjust priority), and systemctl (manage services). Zombie processes are defunct processes remaining in the table after termination.

Question 8

What are SUID and SGID permissions?

Accepted Answer

SUID (Set User ID) allows a file to execute with the owner's privileges. SGID (Set Group ID) applies group privileges to files or directories. Ethical hackers often look for misconfigured SUID files for privilege escalation.

Question 9

What is the purpose of the /etc/shadow file?

Accepted Answer

The /etc/shadow file stores encrypted user passwords. It is a common target for ethical hackers attempting to crack passwords or escalate privileges.

Question 10

How do you secure SSH access in Linux?

Accepted Answer

Secure SSH by using key-based authentication instead of passwords, disabling root login, using strong encryption, and installing tools like fail2ban to block IPs after repeated failed login attempts.

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