The Challenge
The goal of this level is for you to log into the game using SSH. The host to which you need to connect is bandit.labs.overthewire.org, on port 2220. The username is bandit0 and the password is bandit0. Once logged in, go to the Level 1 page to find out how to beat Level 1.
Commands you may need to solve this level
Over The Wire gives different advice how to research the chosen topics for example Bandit give you two thing to research.
When I first started out learning linux I could understand the commands but like learning any new language, for instance French English, German etc you have the skills but its how to bring it together.
History of what SSH is
SSH, or Secure Shell, is a protocol used to securely access and manage remote computers over an unsecured network—like the internet. It’s a cornerstone of Linux system administration, cybersecurity, and networking.
SSH runs on the TCP protocol, specifically over port 22 by default.
Here’s why that matters:
- TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data—perfect for secure remote sessions.
- SSH uses TCP to establish a secure, encrypted connection between your local machine (the client) and a remote server.
- Port 22 is the standard, but you can configure SSH to run on other ports for security through obscurity (e.g., port 2222).
Looking at Bandit 0
When we try to access the network to start bandit 0 you need to login by ssh. On the top left hand of the screen when you click on the link for Over the Wire Bandit Level 0, you will see the following
The difficulty beginners have is the following or I know I did. The ssh command has a certain sequence that needs to be written in a specific fashion and if it deviates the system does not like it. In English saying the phrase “My name is Colin and my favourite thing to eat is Walkers Crisps” we can understand the phrase “My name is Colin and Walkers Crisps are the best things since sliced bread.”
2 phrases are exactly the same context but written differently and we can understand them. Computers are very different and extremely literal so the grammar has to be precise. The biggest problem I had starting out was how to put together the sentence or grammar the computer understands and this was an issue millions upon millions of newbies struggle with.
In order to connect to bandit server the following command should be used
You will be presented with the password screen and put the following password in
bandit0
You are met with the following screen
You will be presented with
If you use the following command you see a file called readme. A bit of history the ls command stands for list which lets you see as the name suggests a list of all the files in that directory. For more information on linux commands you can follow this link
We then to read the file so this is where the cat command comes in.
Cat readme
and voila you are through to the next level.
Advice and Key Takeaways
This is a learning experience for you to begin your journey into linux, take notes on your computer and take a note of the passwords as you go because you’ll need them 🙂