Kali Linux has become a very famous and powerful operating system for ethical hacking and penetration testing. It has been the go-to choice for many cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts because it has a wide range of tools and applications that are already installed. But for different reasons, some people might be looking for alternatives to Kali Linux.
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In this piece, we’ll look at some of the best alternatives to Kali Linux for ethical hacking and talk about their features, pros, and cons.
Best Kali Linux Alternative for Ethical Hacking
Parrot Security OS
Parrot Security OS is a strong option for Kali Linux that is easy to use. It is based on Debian and has a wide range of tools for protection and testing. The Parrot Security OS is known for being light, which means it can run on older devices. It also has a sandbox setting for testing in safety and is updated regularly to make sure it has the latest security patches.
BlackArch Linux
BlackArch Linux is a special kind of Linux that was made with penetration testers and security experts in mind. It comes with more than 2,800 tools already installed that can be used to test security in many different ways. BlackArch Linux has a powerful package manager that makes it easy to get the tools you need and keep track of them.
The BackBox
BackBox is a Linux distribution built on Ubuntu that puts a lot of emphasis on ethical hacking and penetration testing. It is made to be quick, simple to use, and light. BackBox has a number of tools for analyzing computer applications, networks, and other things. Its easy-to-use interface makes it a good choice for both newbies and professionals with a lot of experience.
ArchStrike
ArchStrike, which used to be called ArchAssault, is a repository for Arch Linux that has tools for protection and hacking. It lets people turn their Arch Linux installation into a strong tool for penetration testing. ArchStrike is based on the same ideas as Arch Linux, so users have full power over their systems and can change them to fit their needs.
Pentoo
Pentoo is a Linux distribution built on Gentoo that is made for penetration testing and security audits. It comes with a number of specialized tools and a protected kernel. Pentoo comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions and can be run from a Live CD or installed on a machine.
Samurai Web Testing Framework
Samurai Web Testing Framework is a version of Ubuntu that is made for testing web applications. It comes with a lot of tools for testing and evaluating the security of web apps. Samurai is widely used because it is easy to use and works well to find possible weaknesses in web applications.
DEFT Linux
Digital Evidence and Forensic Toolkit is what DEFT Linux stands for. It is mostly used for digital forensics, but it also has a lot of tools for security and hacking. DEFT Linux can be used as a Live CD or installed on a machine. This makes it a flexible choice for both ethical hacking and digital forensics.
GnackTrack
GnackTrack is a Linux system that used to be called Gnome-BackTrack. It is built on Ubuntu and was inspired by BackTrack Linux. Its goal is to give penetration testers a tool that works well and is easy to use. GnackTrack gives you access to a set of powerful tools that make security testing easier.
Cyborg Hawk
Cyborg Hawk is a distribution built on Ubuntu and Debian that is made for ethical hacking, penetration testing, and digital forensics. It comes with more than 750 tools that can be used to test security in many different ways. Cyborg Hawk is always getting new updates so that its tools are always up to date.
Bugtraq
Bugtraq is a Linux distribution that focuses on security reporting and penetration testing. It comes with a number of tools that can be used to analyze web applications, wifi networks, and more. Bugtraq is designed to be a complete and flexible answer for security professionals and ethical hackers.
Conclusion
Even though Kali Linux is still the most popular and complete ethical hacking platform, there are other great options for those who want to try something different or use more specialized tools. Each of these options has its own features and strengths that make it good for different kinds of security tests. When picking the best Kali Linux alternative for ethical hacking, it’s important to think about your needs, preferences, and hardware.