Too many users unite around Linux myths. Let’s fix that…
Linux is an operating system
No, it’s not. “Linux” is a kernel. Engage your favorite AI to technically tell you why and what GNU is all about. GNU + a Linux kernel — then you have an operating system. From here on out in this post, when I refer to Linux in the context of being an operating system, I mean GNU/Linux.
Linux is difficult to learn
No, it’s not. No more difficult than learning to navigate through Microsoft Windows. With some Windows experience under your belt, transitioning to Linux is made even easier.
There are so many different flavors (distributions) of Linux to choose from
YES, that is true! And that can be overwhelming to new users. True, again. Let’s cut to the chase here. Here is a great website to learn about a very simple Linux distribution — what it’s about — and how to install it: https://linuxmint.com. Read every digital inch of this website.
It’s easy to install Linux alongside Windows on your PC
Technically, that’s true — but I don’t recommend it —particularly for new Linux users. When you do this, you’re creating what’s known as a “dual-boot” system. At start up you’re prompted whether you want to boot to Windows or Linux. Sounds good, huh? But there’s a catch.
Microsoft never designed Windows to peacefully coexist alongside another operating system. New users typically don’t have to technical prowess to keep the two straight and what to do, if suddenly tomorrow, the PC won’t boot up AT ALL.
For your first Linux installation use an old spare PC you have lying around the house. An old Mac will work fine too. Linux is FAR less hardware hungry than Windows and macOS and can successfully resurrect older machines. If you don’t have another PC available, eBay has many choices for you. This post is being made from a 2011 Apple Mac Mini that I bought on eBay for $39 last year.
Make your first installation easier by connecting a wired keyboard and mouse to your system. Connect to the internet via Ethernet for starters. You can change course to wireless variants once your installation is complete.
You don’t need an antivirus program if you’re running Linux
This is NO operating system on this planet that is totally immune to viruses. There are 1.7 billion Windows PCs on this planet. In comparison to that number, the number of Linux PCs in existence is just a round off error. Miscreants predominately target Windows because the target audience is MUCH greater. ClamAV is a great Linux AV program.
To use Linux you must learn terminal (command line) operations
Not true. While many Linux users treat it as a hobby — and want to get into its guts — you don’t have to. Enjoy the graphical environment presented by Linux Mint or its kindred cousins — just like your did with Windows.
You need Linux to become a hacker
Some huge myths here…
Actually you don’t, but it’s much easier with Linux. There are a plethora of great Linux tools to enable hackers to hack!
BUT!!!! Contrary to what you see in the movies, hacking is NOT easy. Potential hackers come to Linux every day and quickly leave bewildered and disappointed when they find that there’s a lot more to hacking than just successfully installing a Linux distribution for the first time.
Kali Linux is far and away the most popular distribution for hackers. While literally any distribution can be used, Kali comes standard with dozens of hacking programs already installed — ready to the used.
If you’re serious about hacking, go the the main Kali website to begin learning how to hack. For even the smartest of you children — it is going to take you MONTHS of dedicated study to learn your craft. Taking great notes and possessing a photographic memory are definite plusses.