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Ethical hacking is identifying weaknesses in computer systems or networks to exploit its vulnerabilities so they can be fixed later. Hackers use various techniques to identify threats and thereby increase the security of the device. These people can utilize Linux based operating system to hack PC or network. It contains a wide range of applications to prevent cybersecurity attacks.
Following is a handpicked list of Top OS for Hacking with their popular features and download links.
BEST OS for Hacking: Top Picks
1) Kali Linux
Kali Linux is an open-source, Debian-based Linux distribution geared towards various information security tasks, such as Penetration Testing, Security Research, Computer Forensics and Reverse Engineering.
Features:
- It can be used for penetration testing.
- This platform is available in 32 bits as well as 64 bits.
- Kali Linux can be updated without the need to download a new version.
- This OS can encrypt the full disk.
- You can easily automate and customize the Kali Linux installation on the network.
- Support for USB live installs.
- It has a forensics mode that can be used for forensic work.
Link: https://www.kali.org/
2) Parrot OS
Parrot Security provides a huge arsenal of tools, utilities and libraries that IT and security professionals can use to test and assess the security of their assets in a reliable, compliant and reproducible way. From information gathering to the final report. The Parrot system gets you covered with the most flexible environment.
Features:
- It is available as lightweight software that runs with limited resources.
- You can read and change the source code the way you like.
- Provides support of experts to help you in cybersecurity.
- This hacking OS has distributed infrastructure with dedicated CDNs (Content Distribution Network).
- You can share this operating system with others.
Link: https://parrotlinux.org/
3) BackBox
BackBox is an Ubuntu based open-source Operating System that offers a penetration test and security assessment facility. This system also provides a network analysis toolkit for security in the IT environment. It contains a toolkit that is needed for ethical hacking.
Features:
- It helps you with computer forensic analysis, vulnerability assessment, etc.
- Design with accuracy to avoid redundancies.
- It consumes the minimum resource of your system.
- This hacking operating system provides easy to use desktop environment.
- Enables you to simulate an attack on application or network.
- It offers stability and speed.
Link: https://www.backbox.org/
4) BlackArch
BlackArch is a free Linux based platform that contains a wide range of tools for automation, mobile, networking, etc. It is an open-source Operating System that is specially created for security researchers and penetration testers. You can install it individually or in a group.
Features:
- It offers live ISO (International Organization for Standardization) with multiple window managers.
- This operating system can be run using limited resources.
- Supports more than one architecture.
- The installer can be built from the source.
Link: https://blackarch.org/
5) Fedora Security Lab
Fedora Security environment enables you to work on security auditing, forensics, and hacking. It comes with a clean and fast desktop environment. This OS contains essential networking tools like Wireshark, Medusa, Sqlninja, Yersinia, and more. Fedora Security environment makes pen-testing and security testing simple.
Features:
- It has a customized menu that offers all the instructions needed to follow the right test path.
- This tool can make Live USB creator (a full operating system that can be booted)
- You can save your test result permanently.
- It creates a live image to make it possible to install software while running.
Link: https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en/security/
6) Dracos Linux
Dracos Linux is an open-source OS that offers penetration testing. It is packed with a wide range of tools, like forensics, information gathering, malware analysis, and more.
Features:
- Everyone can use this platform to study, modify, and redistribute.
- Dracos Linux is a fast OS to perform malware analysis.
- This hacker OS does not collect your sensitive personal data.
- It makes it easy for ethical hackers to perform security research.
Link: https://www.dracolinux.org/
7) CAINE
CAINE is an Ubuntu-based app that offers a complete forensic environment that provides a graphical interface. This operating system can be integrated into existing software tools as a module. It is one of the best operating system for hacking that automatically extracts a timeline from RAM.
Features:
- It is an open-source project.
- CAINE blocks all the devices in read-only mode.
- You can integrate this OS into existing software.
- An environment supports the digital investigator during the digital investigation.
- You can customize features of CAINE.
- It offers a user-friendly operating system.
8) Samurai Web Testing Framework
OWASP SamuraiWTF is a complete linux desktop for use in application security training. It is free and open-source, distributed both as pre-built VMs and as source code. The source is consisting of a Vagrantfile, static assets, and build scripts. During the build process, it retrieves a variety of tools and training targets. Most of these are open-source projects managed by their own respective teams and contributors.
Features:
- It is an open-source project
- Samurai Web Testing Framework focuses on attacking websites.
- It is pre-configured for a web pen-testing environment.
- Features that can be used for focusing on attacking the website.
- It contains tools like WebScarab (web security application testing tool) and ratproxy (Web proxy server) tool.
Link: http://www.samurai-wtf.org/
9) Network Security Toolkit (NST)
his bootable ISO live USB Flash Drive (NST Live) is based on Fedora. The toolkit was designed to provide easy access to best-of-breed Open Source Network Security Applications and should run on most x86_64 systems.
The main intent of developing this toolkit was to provide the security professional and network administrator with a comprehensive set of Open Source Network Security Tools. The majority of tools published in the article: Top 125 Security Tools by INSECURE.ORG are available in the toolkit. An advanced Web User Interface (WUI) is provided for system/network administration, navigation, automation, network monitoring, host geolocation, network analysis and configuration of many network and security applications found within the NST distribution. In the virtual world, NST can be used as a network security analysis validation and monitoring tool on enterprise virtual servers hosting virtual machines.
Features:
- You can easily access open-source network security applications.
- It has easy to use WUI (Web User Interface).
- Network Security Toolkit can be used as a network security analysis validation.
- It contains monitoring on a virtual server having virtual machines.
Link: https://www.networksecuritytoolkit.org/nst/index.html
10) DemonLinux
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Features:
- You can instantly search the needed things by pressing the Windows key.
- It has a simple dock design (a bar located at the bottom of the OS).
- Works with Firefox and Google Chrome.
- Easily record desktop or take a screenshot using a quick access menu to save time.
Link: https://www.demonlinux.com/
FAQs
💻 Which OS are Best for Hacking?
Below is a list of the best OS for hacking:
- Kali Linux
- Parrot OS
- BackBox
- Fedora Security Lab
- CAINE
- Samurai Web Testing Framework
- DemonLinux
- ArchStrike
