Course Description
Understanding Operating Systems is a foundational course that exposes students to the underpinnings of modern desktop operating systems and the components that are most vulnerable to attack. It covers the principles of process, memory, and I/O management that drive all modern operating systems. It also includes hands-on labs to discover how they are implemented in Windows and Linux. After attending this course, students will be able to describe how the components of operating systems work and interact, use built-in tools to analyze these components, and have an excellent foundation for
courses in malware analysis, intrusion analysis, and penetration testing.
Learning Objectives
Successful completion of this course will enable students to:
- Define the purpose of an operating system
- Differentiate between User and Kernel processes and threads
- Explain the purpose and components of an Application Program Interface (API)
- Identify resources managed by the operating system
- Analyze operating system resource management
- Identify Threats to operating systems security
- Explain operating systems security threat mitigation
- Demonstrate proficiency in the Command Shell Environment
- Identify several classes of Virtual Machines (VMs)
- Explain Windows and Linux operating system internals