1. This is probably a strange and very noob question but... what is a .exe?I realize it's an executable and it runs things. But every language i've started to learn you can simply open the file in notepad or etc. Is the .exe that u open basicly just encrypted?\
No, an exe is
compiled. All code that runs on a computer must run in the computer's native binary code. There are compiled computer languages in which a compiler (like a C or C++ compiler) turns human-readable source code into computer code and produces an exe. There are also interpreted languages in which an existing exe (like python.exe) interprets the source code of your program at run-time, but don't let that fool you, all the work is being done in the exe. There's also a hybrid design, called a "virtual machine", but just think of that as interpreted for now.
2. What is a vulnerability? It's a security hole, but literally what would an example of one be? Do i really have to know a language to understand it.. or is there an answer that i could get? If i do need to know languages that's fine i just need some time to learn them and i'll do it. (already learning python)
You don't need to learn a language to understand vulns a bit. I'll use pseudocode to show you. I have a network server, it allows clients to upload files. First, it read a filename from the client:
filename = network_socket.readline();. Next, it opens that file:
file = open(filename);. Finally, it writes data data to the file from the socket:
file.copy(network_socket.read());. So, what happens if you pass a filename like this:
../../../../../../../etc/passwd. Since the program forgot to check for
.. in the filename, it's accidentally opened a system file and possibly written over it. Vulnerabilities are programming mistakes that can result in an attacker gaining access to a resource he wouldn't otherwise be able to. There are many classes of vulns, many you might not understand until later.
3. Any one know of a tutorial about nmap? Or where i should start reading about it / what it does?
The nmap man page. If you don't understand it, you need to learn more about TCP/IP.
4. What is appache..? A link would probably be best to that. I'm just tired of book definitions about things like that.
Apache is a web server. It's the most popular open source (most popular at all?) web server around, and is very flexible. This page you're seeing right now was most likely served on Apache.
6. Alienware was bought out by dell... who should i buy a laptop from now??? (Newegg might have some alienwares now that i think of it......)
Don't buy an alienware laptop. Unless of course you like carrying around a 20lb laptop that gets 1/2 hour of battery life. I wouldn't buy a laptop for gaming, it just isn't worth it. Wait until you get home to play video games, and get a more sane (and less expensive) laptop.
