Course 4 – TOOLS OF THE TRADE: LINUX AND SQL

Module 1 – Introduction to Operating Systems

GOOGLE CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction to Operating Systems

In this comprehensive overview, participants will embark on a journey to understand the intricate relationship between operating systems, hardware, and software, gaining a holistic perspective on the core functions of operating systems. The course is meticulously designed to familiarize learners with the primary roles and functionalities of operating systems, unraveling the complexities that govern the seamless interaction between hardware and software components. Moreover, participants will recognize and explore common operating systems prevalent in contemporary technology landscapes, acquiring practical insights into their features and applications.

The module delves into the diverse interfaces through which users interact with operating systems, shedding light on both the graphical user interface (GUI) and command-line interface (CLI). Learners will grasp how these interfaces serve as conduits for user-OS interaction, enabling them to navigate, control, and optimize the functionality of operating systems efficiently. By incorporating real-world examples and practical demonstrations, this course ensures that participants not only comprehend theoretical concepts but also acquire tangible skills essential for navigating and leveraging operating systems effectively. This comprehensive exploration serves as an indispensable resource for those seeking a robust understanding of operating systems and their pivotal role in contemporary computing environments.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the main functions of an operating system.
  • Recognize the most common operating systems in use.
  • Explain the relationship between operating systems, applications, and hardware.
  • Compare a graphical user interface to a command line interface.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

1. What is an operating system?

  • A computer, smartphone, or tablet
  • The interface between the computer hardware and the user (CORRECT)
  • The physical components of a computer
  • A program for sending email

An operating system is the interface between computer hardware and the user.

2. Which of the following are operating systems? Select all that apply.

  • Windows (CORRECT)
  • Android (CORRECT)
  • Smartphones
  • Linux (CORRECT)

Android, Linux, and Windows are operating systems. Operating systems are interfaces between computer hardware and the user. 

3. Which of the following statements correctly describe operating systems? Select all that apply.

  • Operating systems are the physical components of a computer.
  • Operating systems help people interact with computers. (CORRECT)
  • Computers run efficiently because of operating systems. (CORRECT)
  • Operating systems are able to run many applications at once. (CORRECT)

Operating systems help people interact with computers, and computers run efficiently because of operating systems. Operating systems are able to run many applications at once.

4. Computers communicate in a language called binary, which consists of 0s and 1s.

  • True (CORRECT)
  • False

Computers communicate in a language called binary, which consists of 0s and 1s.

5. Which of the following statements accurately describes operating systems? Select three answers.

  • Operating systems help humans and computers communicate with each other. (CORRECT)
  • Operating systems consist of physical components.
  • Maintaining the security of an operating system is critical for the security of a computer. (CORRECT)
  • Operating systems allow users to run multiple applications at once. (CORRECT)

Operating systems help humans and computers communicate and allow users to run multiple applications at once. Maintaining the security of an operating system is also critical for the security of a computer.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: THE OPERATING SYSTEM AT WORK

1. What is the job of a computer’s operating system?

  • Allow users to specify tasks
  • Load the bootloader
  • Turn on the computer
  • Help other computer programs run efficiently (CORRECT)

The job of a computer operating system is to help make other computer programs run efficiently. It does this by managing the details related to controlling computer hardware.

2. Fill in the blank: In order to carry out tasks on a computer, users directly interact with _____.

  • the BIOS
  • applications (CORRECT)
  • the CPU
  • task managers

Users interact with applications in order to carry out tasks on a computer. Applications are programs that perform a specific task.

3. The management of a computer’s resources and memory is handled by an application.

  • True
  • False (CORRECT)

The management of a computer’s resources and memory is handled by its operating system. The operating system ensures the limited capacity of the computer system is used where it’s needed most.

4. Which of the following processes are part of starting an operating system? Select all that apply.

  • Either the BIOS or UEFI microchip is activated when a user turns on a computer. (CORRECT)
  • The bootloader immediately launches when a user turns on a computer.
  • The bootloader starts the operating system. (CORRECT)
  • The BIOS or UEFI microchip loads the bootloader. (CORRECT)

Either the BIOS or UEFI microchip is activated when a user turns on a computer. The BIOS or UEFI microchip loads the bootloader, and the bootloader starts the operating system.

5. How do applications and hardware communicate?

  • Operating systems regularly monitor applications and hardware to determine if any common information should be shared between them.
  • Applications send requests directly to the hardware, and the hardware sends back a response through the operating system.
  • Applications send requests to the operating system, and the operating system directs those requests to the hardware. (CORRECT)
  • Applications and hardware communicate directly, and the operating system interprets this communication to translate it to the user.

Applications send requests to the operating system, and the operating system directs those requests to the hardware. The hardware also sends information back to the operating system, and the operating system sends it back to applications.

6. Why is it necessary for the OS to handle resource and memory management?

  • To ensure the limited capacity of the computer system is used where it is needed most (CORRECT)
  • To most efficiently respond to cybersecurity incidents
  • To track the computer system’s activity and provide users with memory and task management information
  • To increase the capacity of the computer system so more applications can be run

The OS handles resource and memory management to ensure the limited capacity of the computer system is used where it is needed most.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: THE USER INTERFACE

1. What is a GUI?

  • A user interface that runs only on Linux operating systems
  • A user interface that only runs on mobile devices
  • A user interface that enables people to manage tasks on a computer using icons (CORRECT)
  • A user interface that allows people to interact with a computer through commands

A GUI, or graphical user interface, is a user interface that enables people to manage tasks on a computer using icons. Most operating systems can be used with a GUI.

2. Which of the following can be components of a GUI? Select all that apply.

  • Start menu (CORRECT)
  • Desktop icons and shortcuts (CORRECT)
  • Task bar (CORRECT)
  • Hardware

A task bar is a common component of a GUI.

Desktop icons and shortcuts are common components of a GUI.

A start menu is a common component of a GUI.

3. Fill in the blank: A security professional uses a(n) _____ to interact with a computer using text-based instructions.

  • GUI
  • text system
  • operating system
  • CLI (CORRECT)

A security professional uses a CLI, or command-line interface, to interact with a computer using text-based instructions.

4. A useful feature of a CLI is that it records a history file of commands and actions.

  • True (CORRECT)
  • False

A useful feature of a CLI is that it records a history file of commands and actions. This can help security analysts confirm that they used the correct commands from a playbook. It also might help them trace the actions of an attacker.

5. Which of these statements accurately describes a CLI?

  • A CLI allows users to enter commands that can perform multiple tasks simultaneously. (CORRECT)
  • A CLI uses icons on the screen to make task management more efficient.
  • A CLI includes a start menu for users to search for applications.
  • A CLI is familiar to most users because it is commonly used in cell phones and personal computers.

A CLI allows users to enter commands that can perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

MODULE 1 CHALLENGE

1. Which of the following statements accurately describe operating systems? Select all that apply.

  • Computers, smartphones, and tablets all have operating systems. (CORRECT)
  • Operating systems only permit one application to run at a time.
  • Operating systems are responsible for making computers run efficiently. (CORRECT)
  • Operating systems are the interfaces between computer hardware and user. (CORRECT)

2. Which of the following are common operating systems? Select three answers.

  • macOS® (CORRECT)
  • Windows (CORRECT)
  • PC
  • Linux (CORRECT)

3. What does BIOS load in order to start an operating system?

  • The bootloader (CORRECT)
  • An anti-virus application
  • UEFI
  • The user interface

4. Fill in the blank: To complete tasks on their computers, users interact with  ____.

  • the CPU
  • the bootloader
  • anti-virus software
  • applications (CORRECT)

5. If you wanted to perform a calculation on your computer, which of these things would happen? Select three answers.

  • The hardware would determine the answer and send it back to the operating system. (CORRECT)
  • The application would send this request to the operating system. (CORRECT)
  • The hardware would send the answer directly back to the application.
  • You would type in the number you wanted to calculate into the application. (CORRECT)

6. Which of the following are key types of user interfaces? Select two answers.

  • Mobile
  • System
  • Graphical (CORRECT)
  • Command line (CORRECT)

7. Which of the following statements correctly describe GUIs and CLIs? Select three answers.

  • A CLI can complete multiple tasks efficiently. (CORRECT)
  • CLI commands execute tasks, such as opening a program. (CORRECT)
  • A GUI is a user interface that uses icons. (CORRECT)
  • A CLI includes a start menu and taskbar.

8. A security team is alerted to a possible breach in their system. One analyst follows the instructions from their playbook, which include entering commands in the command line. Next, another analyst provides support by checking the commands to confirm that they were entered correctly. What does this scenario describe?

  • Repeating a process using the start menu
  • Tracing the usage of files and applications with icons
  • Reviewing a history file in a GUI
  • Reviewing a history file in a CLI (CORRECT)

9. Fill in the blank: The _____ ensures the limited capacity of a computer system is used where it’s needed most.

  • hardware
  • task manager
  • bootloader
  • operating system (CORRECT)

10. Which of the following operating systems were designed to run on desktop and laptop computers? Select two answers.

  • macOS® (CORRECT)
  • Windows (CORRECT)
  • iOS
  • Android

11. What components are involved in the booting process? Select two answers.

  • A GUI
  • The bootloader (CORRECT)
  • BIOS or UEFI (CORRECT)
  • A CLI

12. Fill in the blank: When someone uses a computer application, the operating system interprets the user’s requests and directs them to the appropriate _____.

  • components of the computers hardware (CORRECT)
  • applications
  • user on the system
  • user interface

13. If you wanted to download a file from an internet browser, which of these things would happen? Select three answers.

  • The operating system would communicate with hardware to download the file. (CORRECT)
  • The application would communicate the request to the operating system. (CORRECT)
  • The application would communicate directly with hardware to download the file.
  • You would initiate the task by clicking the download button in the application. (CORRECT)

14. Fill in the blank: The user communicates with the operating system via a(n) _____.

  • specialized type of hardware
  • user application
  • another operating system
  • user interface (CORRECT)

15. Which of the following statements correctly describe GUIs and CLIs? Select three answers.

  • GUI icons help users manage different tasks on a computer. (CORRECT)
  • CLI commands execute tasks, such as moving a file to a new folder. (CORRECT)
  • A CLI is a text-based user interface. (CORRECT)
  • A CLI performs multiple tasks less efficiently than a GUI.

16. What is a bootloader?

  • A program that communicates instructions to the user
  • A program that starts an operating system (CORRECT)
  • A program that loads the BIOS or UEFI chip
  • A program that checks for malware infections on a computer

17. Fill in the blank: A _____ is a program that allows users to control functions of the operating system.

  • user interface (CORRECT)
  • UEFI chip
  • bootloader
  • CPU

18. A security team suspects that an attacker has compromised their system. They examine the commands entered by the attacker to determine whether they can trace the attacker’s actions to help them resolve the incident. What does this scenario describe?

  • Examining the usage of files and applications from a start menu
  • Reviewing a history file in a GUI
  • Repeating a process using icons
  • Reviewing a history file in a CLI (CORRECT)

19. Fill in the blank: On a computer, the _____ handles resource and memory management.

  • browser
  • task manager
  • hardware
  • operating system (CORRECT)

20. Which of the following statements accurately describe operating systems? Select all that apply.

  • Operating systems help people and computers communicate. (CORRECT)
  • Computers have operating systems, but smartphones and tablets do not have them.
  • Operating systems are a type of computer hardware.
  • Operating systems are responsible for making computers run efficiently. (CORRECT)

21. What happens when you use applications on your computer? Select three answers.

  • The operating system interprets a request from the application and directs it to the appropriate components of the computer’s hardware. (CORRECT)
  • The application sends your request to the operating system. (CORRECT)
  • The application receives information from the operating system and sends a confirmation message directly to the hardware. The hardware sends information back to the operating system, which is sent back to the application.

22. Which of the following statements correctly describe GUIs and CLIs? Select three answers.

  • GUI icons help users manage different tasks on a computer. (CORRECT)
  • A CLI can complete multiple tasks efficiently. (CORRECT)
  • A GUI is a text-based user interface.
  • A CLI uses commands to communicate with an operating system.

23. A security team responds to a breach by following the instructions from their playbook. They later want to ensure all of the commands they entered were correct. So, they review the saved steps they performed in the command line. What does this scenario describe?

  • Repeating a process using icons
  • Saving files and applications from a start menu
  • Reviewing a history file in a GUI
  • Reviewing a history file in a CLI (CORRECT)

24. To ensure a computer’s capacity is used where it is needed most, what does an operating system manage?

  • Viruses and malware
  • Icons and graphics
  • Resources and memory (CORRECT)
  • BIOS and UEFI

CONCLUSION to operating systems

In conclusion, this comprehensive exploration of operating systems has provided participants with a profound understanding of the intricate interplay between hardware, software, and operating systems. The meticulously designed course has successfully demystified the fundamental roles and functionalities of operating systems, empowering learners to navigate the complexities inherent in the interaction between hardware and software components. Through recognition and exploration of prevalent operating systems in today’s technological landscape, participants have gained practical insights into the features and applications that shape contemporary computing environments.

The module further illuminated the diverse interfaces facilitating user-OS interaction, offering in-depth insights into both graphical user interfaces (GUI) and command-line interfaces (CLI). Learners now possess the knowledge and skills to proficiently navigate, control, and optimize operating systems through these interfaces. By incorporating real-world examples and practical demonstrations, the course not only ensured a solid grasp of theoretical concepts but also equipped participants with tangible skills crucial for effectively leveraging operating systems.

In essence, this comprehensive overview stands as an indispensable resource for individuals seeking a robust understanding of operating systems and their pivotal role in shaping the landscape of modern computing. Participants are now well-prepared to apply their newfound knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to navigate and harness the power of operating systems in diverse technological contexts.

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