Hacking Linux/Unix

[Prog]

What is the most common method for hacking into a Linux or Unix machine? I curious to know how this is done and even to attempt it on one of my boxes. My friend said he will change the root password for me but we will start easy allowing me to have a user account with limited privileges.

Where do I go from there?

[Crop]

I believe it is Brute Force which can take a long time and is easy to get caught. I'm unsure of other methods you could use with a user account.

[TotalPenguin]

I think that brute force can break any password, therefore that is a sure shot, BUT it can take whole years to crack passwords!

[Jordan]

Brute Force will break the password eventually, but as TotalPenguin said, it could take years! It is better to have an idea of how many characters are in the password or know what it starts/ends with.

[TotalPenguin]

So in that case you will restrict the range ... right?

[MHJ]

Just the mere mention of the words Linux and Hacking together make me wince. But it is a situation deserving of attention

[John]

Brute Force is one way to do it, which in theory, will always work. However, if you keep yourself educated on the security flaws with the individual operating system or the kernel, its always possible to exploit it before the administrator patches it. Which is how most successful hacks take place.

[EugenS]

Try to get some inside info first, I guess. Brute force is too lenghty