7 Linux Commands to Stop Using (and What to Use Instead)

The command line is the heart of the Linux operating system. It gives users incredible power to control their computers, manage files, and configure networks. However, the world of technology moves very fast. Some tools that were essential ten or twenty years ago are now slowing us down or, even worse, putting our systems at risk. You might be used to typing certain commands because they are familiar, but sticking to them is like driving a car from the 1980s when a modern vehicle is much safer and more efficient.

Imagine finishing your work in half the time because you are using the right tools. Picture your data being safer because you are using encrypted connections instead of sending passwords in plain text. By updating your toolkit, you can work faster and smarter. It is time to leave the past behind and embrace the modern utilities that make Linux even better. Let us explore the specific tools you should replace and what you should use instead.

1. Replace Telnet with SSH

For a long time, Telnet was the standard way to connect to a remote computer. It allowed you to log in to a server across the network as if you were sitting right in front of it. However, Telnet has a fatal flaw that makes it dangerous in today’s world. It sends all data, including your username and password, in plain text. This means that anyone listening on the network can easily steal your credentials. It is like sending a postcard with your secret code written on it for the mailman to read.

You should stop using Telnet immediately and switch to the Secure Shell, or SSH. SSH creates an encrypted connection between your computer and the server. This means that all the data passing back and forth is scrambled and unreadable to anyone who might try to intercept it. Using SSH is just as easy as Telnet, but it provides a layer of security that is absolutely necessary on the modern internet. Almost every Linux distribution comes with SSH installed by default, so you likely have it ready to go right now.

2. Swap FTP for SFTP or SCP

File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is another old-school tool that is widely used but outdated. Like Telnet, traditional FTP transmits data without encryption. If you use FTP to upload website files or download documents, you are exposing that data to potential snooping. Furthermore, FTP is often clunky to manage and requires opening specific ports on your firewall that can become targets for attackers. It does not integrate well with modern security practices.

Instead of FTP, you should use SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or SCP (Secure Copy Protocol). Both of these tools use the same secure encryption as SSH to transfer files. SFTP is particularly good because it works like an interactive FTP client but over a secure connection. SCP is excellent for quick command-line transfers when you know exactly where a file is going. By making this switch, you ensure that your files remain private during transit and you simplify your firewall rules by using the standard SSH port.

Why Security Matters for Transfers

When you send files across the internet, they pass through many different routers and servers. Without encryption, that data is visible at every step. If you are transferring sensitive business documents or personal photos, you do not want strangers looking at them. SFTP and SCP wrap your files in a protective layer of encryption, ensuring that only the intended recipient can unlock and read them.

3. Ditch ifconfig for the ip Command

If you have been using Linux for a while, you probably use `ifconfig` to check your IP address or configure network interfaces. It is a classic command that appears in many old tutorials. However, `ifconfig` has been officially deprecated for many years and is missing entirely from some modern Linux distributions. It is considered “legacy” software, meaning it is no longer actively developed and may eventually disappear completely.

The modern replacement is the `ip` command, which is part of the iproute2 suite. While `ip` might look a little different at first, it is much more powerful and consistent. For example, instead of typing `ifconfig` to see your addresses, you would type `ip addr` or `ip a`. To bring an interface up or down, you use `ip link set` commands. Learning the `ip` command is an investment in your future. Since it is the current standard for network configuration on Linux, all modern documentation and support forums will refer to it.

Making the Transition Easier

It can be frustrating to memorize new commands after you have known the old ones for years. To help, you can create aliases in your shell configuration file. For instance, you could alias `ip` to behave somewhat like `ifconfig` for simple tasks. However, it is much better to spend a few hours learning the syntax of the new tool. The `ip` command is actually quite logical once you understand the structure of “object, command, and arguments.”

4. Abandon netstat for ss

Another network troubleshooting staple that has seen its day is `netstat`. This command was used to list open ports, active network connections, and routing tables. While it is still found on many systems, `netstat` is slow and inefficient. On a busy server with thousands of connections, running `netstat` can take a long time and use up significant system resources because it reads from various files in the `/proc` filesystem.

The superior alternative is `ss`, which stands for “socket statistic.” The `ss` command gets its information directly from the kernel space, which makes it incredibly fast. Even on servers with massive amounts of traffic, `ss` displays information almost instantly. The syntax is also very similar to `netstat`, so the transition is not too painful. For example, `ss -tulpn` gives you a comprehensive list of listening TCP and UDP ports, which is exactly what most administrators need to check.

5. Trade grep for ripgrep (rg)

The `grep` command is one of the most famous and widely used tools in the Linux world. It is powerful for searching text inside files. However, `grep` was created decades ago, and its behavior can sometimes be inconsistent. It does not automatically ignore files that you usually do not want to search, like those hidden in `.git` folders or binary files. This can make searching through a code project messy and slow.

A fantastic modern alternative is `ripgrep`, or simply `rg`. It is built specifically for searching code and text repositories quickly. `ripgrep` respects your `.gitignore` files automatically, so it skips over junk you do not care about. It is also written in a way that makes it significantly faster than `grep` on large datasets. If you do a lot of coding or searching through text files, `rg` will save you a lot of time. It provides colored output by default and is generally much more user-friendly out of the box.

Speed and Convenience

When you are working on a complex project, you need answers fast. Waiting for `grep` to trawl through thousands of files breaks your flow. `ripgrep` is designed to be as fast as your computer allows, utilizing multi-threading to search in parallel. Plus, the command syntax is often simpler. You rarely need to remember complex flags to get the output you want.

6. Leave find behind for fd

Finding files by name is a daily task for many Linux users. The traditional `find` command is incredibly versatile, but its syntax is notoriously difficult to remember. You have to type the directory, the name flag, and then the filename, often needing to escape special characters. It is a powerful tool, but for simple searches, it feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

The `fd` command is a simpler, faster, and more user-friendly alternative. It is designed to be easy to use. To find a file named “resume.pdf,” you simply type `fd resume`. It searches the current directory and subdirectories automatically. It also uses colored output to distinguish between files and directories and ignores hidden directories by default. While `find` is still necessary for very complex operations, `fd` covers 90% of daily use cases with a much better experience.

7. Move from man to tldr

Manual pages, accessed with the `man` command, are the encyclopedia of Linux. They contain every possible detail about a command. However, they are often overwhelming for beginners and even for experienced users who just want a quick reminder. A manual page can be pages long, filled with technical jargon and obscure flags that you will never use.

If you want to learn how to use a command quickly, try `tldr`, which stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read.” It is a community-driven collection of simplified manual pages. Instead of reading a novel about a command, `tldr` gives you practical examples of the most common use cases. For instance, typing `tldr tar` will show you exactly how to extract a compressed file or create one, without explaining the history of the tape archive. It is the perfect way to get up to speed without getting lost in the details.

Learning by Example

Most people learn best by seeing examples rather than reading definitions. The `tldr` pages focus on showing you the exact command string you need to copy and paste. This approach reduces the cognitive load and helps you get your work done faster. It is an essential addition to any beginner’s toolbox.

Conclusion

Updating your habits is never easy, especially when you have been using the same commands for years. However, the Linux ecosystem is constantly evolving to become more secure, faster, and easier to use. By letting go of these seven outdated commands, you are not just following a trend; you are actively improving your workflow and protecting your data. Tools like SSH, `ip`, `ss`, and `ripgrep` represent the future of the command line. Embrace them, and you will find that your time in the terminal is more productive and enjoyable than ever before.