TCP/IP
1.1. Introduction
For those who want to learn hacking, one of the fundamental and crucial areas of knowledge is networking. In my observations of people learning hacking, a weakness in networking knowledge is a common issue. This is what led me to decide to write more about networking, and this book is the result.
In the field of Cybersecurity, just as Linux skills are important, so too are networking skills. Without a solid understanding of the nature and concepts of networks, you may find yourself unable to proceed with certain hacking tasks.
You don't need to study networking to the level of a networking expert, especially if it's not your primary career path (although it's even better if you can). However, it is essential to know the things you absolutely must know. Therefore, if you, the reader, have not studied networking before, this book can help you elevate your hacking skills to the next level.
1.2. What Is Network?
Before we talk about networking, it's important to have a clear idea of what a network is. In Burmese, we use the term "Kanyet" for network. So, you can visualize a network as a collection of connected devices. A network can include many devices that connect with each other to share and use necessary resources.
What kind of devices are we talking about? They include computers, phones, and other devices, as well as cables for connection, wireless routers for wireless connections, etc. Hardware like servers, switches, and printers are also included. So, using these devices to connect and communicate with each other can be called Networking. And the connected system itself is called a network.
If so, I would also like to briefly mention why networking is done. This is an important point for those who want to become a Hacker, as it provides a clear understanding of how attacks are performed. On a related note, if you want to become a Hacker, in some cases, you can't just look at "What is." You also need to understand "Why." Only then can you move on to "How to." Even if you don't understand these terms now, you will eventually.
Looking back at the history of the first computer networks, it started around the late 1950s with the creation for the U.S. military. From there, it evolved step by step to the present day. ARPANET, an acronym for the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, which emerged in 1969, was the world's earliest packet-switched network. The ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) that created it was a part of the U.S. Department of Defense.
During the Cold War, due to the competition and geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, networking was invented in an attempt to maintain communication lines in the event of a nuclear attack. This creation became possible because network connectivity was more resilient than traditional centralized control systems.
In traditional connectivity, a direct connection method is used. This means that communication lines can be severed if they are specifically targeted. ARPANET technology, however, used a technology called packet-switching, which allowed for rerouting communications within the network, making for a more resilient communication model. (Packet-switching technology is still in use today).
Furthermore, the creation and use of the TCP/IP Protocol suite allowed for the establishment of rules for sending and receiving data, which became the standard for interoperability between different devices.
Therefore, it can be said that the internet we use today came into being as a result of attempts to solve the communication challenges of that era. The Internet age is something everyone is familiar with. To continue the conversation from earlier, let me now talk about what networking is used for.
By using networking technology, we can share files, documents, and various other data with other connected devices on the network. We can also share printers and storage devices, which helps reduce resource usage. We can also use emails, messages, video calls, and voice calls. We use these things on an almost daily basis. These are the benefits we get from using networking, and we use networking to make these things possible.
The technology that provides connectivity is called networking, and the interconnected system of devices is called a network. Based on their connectivity, Networks can be divided into 3 types: LAN, MAN, and WAN.
LAN
This stands for Local Area Network. It's a small network that allows devices within a Local Area to connect to each other. For example, all the computers in an office can connect to a single printer in that office. Or, to make it clearer, all the devices connected to a single WiFi network in a house, office, or shop are part of a LAN. (Even if they are using the internet). Therefore, they can communicate internally under the same IP class. However, devices from another network cannot connect to them. To provide another clear example, if I create a local site using an apache2 web service on my computer, that site can be viewed by other devices on the same WiFi network as me. However, people on a different network would not be able to open and view it.
MAN
This is called a Metropolitan Area Network. It's a large network that contains many LAN-like networks. (Though it's not as large as a WAN).
WAN
This is a Wide Area Network. It's the largest network. The International Network we call the Internet is a WAN. For hacking, there aren't many problems with LAN attacks, but for WAN attacks, you need to use related technologies. (I've written a book called "The First Step Towards Hacking" that provides practical examples of these attacks. It's one of the most comprehensive hacking books I've written for beginners.)
Networks can also be classified into two types based on their architecture and purpose: Client-server Network and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network. I don't wish to talk about these in detail right now. I feel it might get boring.
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