9 Lethal Linux Commands You Should Never Run

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MakeUseOf

12 min read · Apr 15, 2026

9 Lethal Linux Commands You Should Never Run

By downloading this free guide, you agree to receive regular updates on the latest cool apps, product reviews, and giveaways from MakeUseOf. Linux can be a double-edged sword. It assumes that you know what you’re doing and gives you the freedom to do whatever you want. It won’t question you. This is convenient when you actually know what you’re doing, but it also means that you could conceivably render your system unusable within seconds. Whether you’re a Linux newbie or veteran, you should never run a command unless you know exactly what it does. Here are some of the deadliest Linux commands that you’ll, for the most part, want to avoid.

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