Linux Basics for Hackers

15MANAGING THE LINUX KERNEL AND LOADABLE KERNEL MODULES

All operating systems are made up of at least two major components. The first and most important of these is the kernel. The kernel is at the center of the operating system and controls everything the operating system does, including managing memory, controlling the CPU, and even controlling what the user sees on the screen. The second element of the operating system is often referred to as user land and includes nearly everything else.

The kernel is designed to be a protected or privileged area that can only be accessed by root or other privileged accounts. This is for good reason, as access ...