Overview of Deprecated Console Commands in Linux with Modern and Secure Alternatives

Using outdated commands is not uncommon among Linux users. For instance, you might have learned about a utility many years ago from a tutorial or manual and continued using it out of habit, even though a more modern and convenient alternative exists.

In this article, we will discuss such deprecated Linux commands. Some of these commands can still be found in your OS because distributions sometimes keep them for backward compatibility or create new implementations under old names.

scp — Possibly Soon to Be Deprecated

The scp (secure copy) command uses the SSH protocol to copy files between two Linux machines. Its popularity stems from its familiar syntax, resembling the cp command for local copying.

However, the SCP protocol is outdated, hasn’t been updated for decades, and has numerous vulnerabilities, as pointed out by the OpenSSH team.

As a result, many distributions recommend replacing scp with rsync or sftp, while some, such as Red Hat and Fedora, have already implemented a new version of scp based on the SFTP protocol.

📋 Recommended alternatives: rsync and sftp.

egrep and fgrep — Replaced by Flags in grep

The commands grep, egrep, and fgrep perform similar functions:

• egrep allows for extended regular expressions.

• fgrep works with fixed strings instead of regular expressions.

Now, these functions are available via flags in the grep command:

• grep -E replaces egrep.

• grep -F replaces fgrep.

📋 Recommended alternatives: grep -E and grep -F.

ifconfig — A Command That Will Be Missed

This command was the primary tool for checking IP addresses and network interface information but has been replaced by the ip command.

📋 Recommended alternative:

• ip addr for IP addresses.

• ip link for interface information.

Other Commands from net-tools

Many old network commands have also been deprecated and replaced with modern equivalents:

• arp → ip n

• iptunnel → ip tunnel

• nameif → ip link

• route → ip route

iwconfig — Another Fading Command

The iwconfig command, similar to ifconfig but for wireless interfaces, is also considered outdated. It has been replaced by the more modern iw command.
📋 Recommended alternative: iw.

iptables — Being Replaced by nftables

The iptables command, widely used for configuring NAT and packet filtering, is being replaced by the new nftables tool, which combines the functionality of iptables, ip6tables, and others.

📋 Recommended alternative: nftables.

Conclusion

There’s no need to immediately abandon all available but outdated Linux commands. However, knowing that they might disappear in the future, it’s better to gradually update your scripts and notes.