If you’re interested in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, or penetration testing, understanding Linux is absolutely essential. It’s the foundation that most security professionals build their careers on. But where do you start? The answer: OverTheWire’s Bandit war game.

Why Linux is Critical for Cybersecurity

Linux is the bread and butter of cybersecurity work. Whether you’re performing penetration tests, conducting security audits, or building defensive systems, you’ll spend significant time in Linux environments. One of the resources I prefer is Occupy the Web’s Linux Basics for Hackers demonstrate. Honestly, mastering Linux fundamentals is non-negotiable for anyone serious about cybersecurity.

What is OverTheWire

OverTheWire is a spot that includes something called war games designed to teach security concepts through hands-on challenges. These are capture the flag challenges. Their Bandit game is specifically designed for absolute beginners and teaches Linux command-line fundamentals that are essential for other security challenges.

You can access it at overthewire.org/wargames, and it’s completely free. They even provide a suggested order for tackling their various games, with…