Useful Terminal Commands and Tools for Ubuntu / Mint

# 1. Make An ISO From A Folder
# If you want to make an iso file from a directory containing other files and sub-directories via the terminal, you can use the following command:
mkisofs -o image.iso -R /path/to/folder/
# If you wish to backup the home folder, use this command:
mkisofs -o image.iso -R $HOME
# 2. Remove Non-Empty Folder
# To remove a non-empty folder from the command line, you can use this command:
rm -rf /path/to/folder/
# 3. Checking Current CPU Architecture (32-bit or 64-bit)
# To list your processor architecture in Ubuntu/Linux Mint, use one of these commands:
uname -m
# or
arch
# or
file /bin/bash | cut -d' ' -f3
# 4. Generate Random Passwords
# To generate random passwords via the terminal, you can use the following commands:
# a - makepasswd
# makepasswd is a command line tool for generating passwords in Ubuntu/Linux Mint. Install it with this command:
sudo apt-get install makepasswd -y
# To generate a password with 20 characters, enter this command:
makepasswd --chars=20
# b- OpenSSL
# You can also use OpenSSL to generate random passwords using this simple command:
openssl rand -base64 20
# 5. Check Uptime
# To check for how long your computer or laptop has been running since you powered it on, issue this command:
uptime
# To monitor system uptime in real-time, use this command:
watch -n 1 uptime
# 6. Check Information About Your Video Card
# To list information about your graphics card (Nvidia, AMD, Intel, etc.), enter this command:
lspci -v -s `lspci | awk '/VGA/{print $1}'`
# 7. Download And Extract Tar Files In One Command
# If you want to extract an archive file after being downloaded in a single command, you can use the following command for tar files:
wget URL-To-TAR-File -O - | tar xfz -
# Here is an example:
wget http://garr.dl.sourceforge.net/project/multibootusb/MultiBootUSB_4.7.tar.gz -O - | tar xfz -
# 8. Block/Unblock Wifi/Bluetooth
# To disable wifi or Bluetooth in Ubuntu/Linux Mint, we can simply use the rfkill command line tool. To deactivate wifi, enter this command:
rfkill block wlan
# For Bluetooth:
rfkill block bluetooth
# To unblock WiFi, enter this command:
rfkill unblock wlan
# For Bluetooth:
rfkill unblock bluetooth
# 9. Check CPU Temperature
# To get the current temperature of your processor, issue this command:
acpi -t
# To check CPU temp in real-time, run this command:
watch -n 1 acpi -t
# 10. Change Read Speed Of A CD/DVD
# Let's first get the maximum read speed of your optical drive with this command:
eject -X
# To increase/decrease read speed of a CD/DVD inserted into your optical drive, enter this command followed by the desired speed:
eject -x 4
# For more than one optical disc drive, use this command:
eject /dev/cdrom -x 4
# 11. Check RAM Speed
# To check memory speed from the command line, run this command:
sudo dmidecode -t 17 | awk -F":" '/Speed/ { print $2 }'
# 12. Read/Write Speed Of A Hard Disk
# To check read/write speed of your hard drive on the terminal, use this command:
sudo hdparm -tT /dev/sda
# 13. Monitor Network Usage
# IPTraf is a command line utility that allows to monitor network activities in real-time. Install it in Ubuntu/Linux Mint with this command:
sudo apt-get install iptraf -y
# Start monitoring using this command:
sudo iptraf
# 14- Downloading Websites
# If you want to download an entire website via the terminal, enter this command:
wget --recursive  --page-requisites --convert-links www.domain.com
# 15. Check Gmail Unread Messages
# To check for unread messages in your Gmail account, use this command:
sudo apt-get install curl -y
curl -u GMAILUSER --silent "https://mail.google.com/mail/feed/atom" | perl -ne 'print "\t" if //; print "$2\n" if /<(title|name)>(.*)<\/\1>/;'
# 16. Monitor HDD Temperature
# Use hddtemp to monitor hard disk temperature on the terminal. Run these commands:
sudo apt-get install hddtemp -y
sudo hddtemp /dev/sda
# 17. Check Current Kernel Version
# You can simply use this command:
uname -r
# 18. Dtrx
# The dtrx tool allows to extract most archive files without the hassle of memorizing the various extraction commands. To install it, run this command:
sudo apt-get install dtrx -y
# Here are some examples:
dtrx file.zip
dtrx file.tar.gz
dtrx file.7z
# 19. Glances - An eye on your system
# Glances is a free software (licensed under LGPL) to monitor your GNU/Linux or BSD operating system from a text interface.
# Glances uses the library libstatgrab to retrieve information from your system and it is developed in Python.
sudo apt-get install python-pip build-essential python-dev -y
sudo pip install Glances
sudo pip install PySensors
# 20. Arpwatch – Ethernet Activity Monitor
# Arpwatch is a kind of program that is designed to monitor Address Resolution (MAC and IP address changes) of Ethernet network traffic on a Linux network.
# It continuously keeps watch on Ethernet traffic and produces a log of IP and MAC address pair changes along with a timestamps on a network.
# It also has a feature to send an email alerts to administrator, when a pairing added or changes. It is very useful in detecting ARP spoofing on a network.
sudo apt-get arpwatch -y
# 21. clamav anti-virus
sudo apt-get install clamav -y
sudo freshclam
# To check all files on the computer, displaying the name of each file:
clamscan -r /
# To check all files on the computer, but only display infected files and ring a bell when found:
clamscan -r --bell -i /
# To check files in the all users home directories:
clamscan -r /home
# To check files in the USER home directory and move infected files to another folder:
clamscan -r --move=/home/USER/VIRUS /home/USER
# To check files in the USER home directory and remove infected files (WARNING: Files are gone.):
clamscan -r --remove /home/USER
# To see more options:
clamscan --help