6 Best Linux distribution for Hacking & penetration testing

Linux distrubition For hacking and Penetration Testing

For hacking and penetration testing, there are several operating systems that you should know or use once you want to start. In this article, we are going to discuss only the 6 best Linux distributions.

What is hacking?

Hacking refers to activities that seek to compromise digital devices, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and even entire networks. And while hacking might not always be for malicious purposes, nowadays most references to hacking, and hackers, characterize it/them as unlawful activity by cybercriminals—motivated by financial gain, protest, information gathering (spying), and even just for the “fun” of the challenge. For more info click here

What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing also called pen testing or ethical hacking is the practice of testing a computer system, network, or web application to find security vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit.

Penetration testing can be automated with software applications or performed manually. Either way, the process involves gathering information about the target before the test, identifying possible entry points, attempting to break in — either virtually or for real — and reporting back the findings.

The main objective of penetration testing is to identify security weaknesses. Penetration testing can also be used to test an organization’s security policy, its adherence to compliance requirements, its employees’ security awareness, and the organization’s ability to identify and respond to security incidents.

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1. Kali Linux – distros for hacking and penetration testing

Kali Linux is a top 1 among 6 Best OS for Hacking and Penetration Testing Distribution based on Debian. Developed by Offensive Security.

The first release was on February 5, 2006, it’s a completion of the BackTrack Linux Project. you may like to know how to install kali Linux properly in 2021

There are 100’s of hacking tools that are pre-installed with Kali Linux for various operations such as pen testing, vulnerabilities analysis, forensic analysis, information gathering, wireless attacks, exploitation tools, etc.

It also used to use GNOME as a Desktop Environment. Nowadays Kali Linux became a Rolling release Distro. You can use a desktop environment of your choice like KDE, MATE or XFCE…

also, It has a lot of tools in the Kali Repositories. You can download Kali Linux on its official web page Download. Kali Linux Ranked number one in Top 6 Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking Linux 2020.

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2. Parrot Security OS for hacking and penetration testing:

Parrot Security is the top 2 among the 6 Best OS for Hacking and Penetration Testing, Forensics Distro dedicated to Ethical Hackers & Cyber Security Professionals.

Also, Parrot OS equally contributes to the security community the same as Kali Linux with a variety of hacking tools and excellent GUI interface.

It has also a big repository that collects a lot of amazing hacking tools for newbies and experts. Developed by FrozenBox.

The first release was in June 2013. It used to use MATE as a Desktop Environment it’s based on Debian like Kali Linux. You can download parrot security on its official web page Download.

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3. BackBox Linux:

Backbox Linux is a top 3 among 6 Best Linux distros for Hacking and Penetration Testing distro based on Ubuntu Linux.

Developed by Backbox Team. The first release was on September 9, 2010.

Also, Backbox used to use XFCE as a Desktop Environment and Ubuntu LTS versions as a base.

It also contains the most professional, famous, and used tools in the PenTesting field like MSF, NMAP, BurpSuite, Armitage, SQLMap, and so on. You can download BackBox Linux on its official web page Download.

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4. BlackArch Linux:

Black arch Linux-based Arch Linux is a top 4 among 6 Best Linux distros for Hacking and Penetration Testing designed for Professional & Elite Hackers who have the ability to work with Linux like a Pro.

Also, Black Arch contains nearly 2500 hacking tools, and almost it covering all the phases in cybersecurity.

it also used to use Fluxbox & OpenBox as a Desktop Environment with other DE’s. It has huge tools in the repository more than 1500+ hacking tools included in the Distro & Repo. The first release was in 2013. you can download BlackArch Linux on its official web page Download.

5- Fedora security Lab:

Fedora Security environment is a top 5 among 6 best Linux distros for Hacking and Penetration Testing enables you to work on security auditing, forensics, and hacking. It also comes with a clean and fast desktop environment.

This distro contains essential networking tools like Wireshark, Medusa, Sqlninja, Yersinia, and more. Fedora Security environment makes pen-testing and security testing simple. you can also download Fedora security on its official web page Download

6- Samurai Web Testing Framework (Samurai-WTF):

Samurai WTF it’s a top 6 among 6 Best Linux distros for Hacking and Penetration Testing and Professional Web Application Penetration Testing Framework & Distro.

It also contains only WebApp Pentest Tools such as Burpsuite, SQLMap… and so on. Based on Ubuntu. The first release was in 2008. you can also download the Samurai web testing framework on its official web page Download.

Closing note

Choosing the best Linux distros for Hacking & penetration testing is a good sign to learn ethical hacking and Penetration testing concepts to enhance your skills and protect the enterprise assets from cybercriminals.

Every security professionals have their own favour of security OS to make use of hacking tools for both learning and commercial purpose. good choice for you.