Why Hackers Use Kali Linux

 

 4 Reasons Why Hackers Use Kali Linux

Besides Kali Linux, there are several other penetration testing distributions on the market. So why do ethical hackers prefer Kali over other OSes?

And using a computer to hack

Hacking has become popular due to the rapid transfer of information online. Ethical hacking helps identify vulnerabilities in a system and increases security by fixing them. It also secures systems against hackers who could steal valuable information.

If you are interested in ethical hacking or want to learn how it is done, you must have heard about Kali Linux. This operating system has various features and tools, but there is always an argument about why hackers use Kali Linux for cybersecurity-related work. So, in this post, we will discuss why ethical hackers prefer Kali Linux for their cybersecurity and penetration testing needs.

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What is Kali Linux and why do hackers use it?

Kali Linux is a Debian-based security distribution originally designed for penetration testing and network analysis. Kali Linux was developed by Devon Kearns and Mati Aharoni in 2013. This operating system is completely free and you can use it on your laptop/computer and smartphone.

Kali Linux supports more than 500 penetration tests and cybersecurity-related applications. It is an open-source operating system, so its code is freely available online, which means you can review it and modify it to suit your needs. It also supports multiple languages ​​and includes many customization features. The latest version of Kali Linux has some of the best features to simplify advanced tasks easily.

Kali Linux has many security-focused apps that make ethical hacking easy. It is a convenient and highly secure Linux operating system that also protects your privacy. So here are some important reasons that make Kali Linux so popular with hackers.

1. Requires minimal system resources

Without a doubt, Kali Linux requires low-end components to function perfectly. Installing Kali Linux on your system is very simple as it only requires:

Hardware description

Processor Architecture AMD 64/microprocessor i386

Storage 20 GB disk space

RAM 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended

That's why many hackers recommend Kali Linux because it works on low-end devices and is portable and easy to use. You can also use it via CD-DVD drive or USB flash drive. If you want to try Kali Linux in VirtualBox, then don't worry because Kali Linux works without problems even on virtual machines.

2. Kali Linux is good for beginners

Kali Linux has some of the coolest features and highly customizable options, making it suitable for ethical hacking beginners. So if you are a bit familiar with Ubuntu, you can definitely start your hacking journey on Kali Linux.

In case you don't know how to run commands on Linux, it will be difficult for you to use it. However, as a cyber security enthusiast, it is important to have a deep understanding of the Linux command line but to work on Kali Linux, you need to have a basic understanding of it. Kali Linux has a simple user interface and easy-to-use tools to help you understand the basic concepts of hacking.

3. Kali Linux is legit

Kali Linux is a legal operating system used for professional work, including practicing penetration testing and hacking. It is completely legal to use Kali Linux in white-hat hacking. However, if you use it for illegal purposes, it is illegal because there is a huge difference between white-hat hacking and black-hat hacking.

Kali Linux is available under the GNU Public License, which means that anyone can use it on their devices for free. Moreover, using this operating system is safe as long as you do not engage in any suspicious activity.

4. Kali Linux ships with hundreds of testing tools

As we mentioned earlier, Kali Linux supports hundreds of unique tools related to hacking. That's why it's a popular choice among hackers. Here is a list of the top five tools you can use for penetration testing on Kali Linux:

1. Nmap

Nmap is a network scanner used to scan networks for information. It is an open-source tool that sends packets to a host to analyze its response and generate the required details. You can also use it for OS detection, host discovery, and open port scanning.

2. Burp suite

Burp Suite acts as a proxy, which means that all requests from the web browser go through it. This transfer of requests allows users to make any changes according to their needs. Burp Suite is suitable for testing system or web-related vulnerabilities. This tool has free and paid editions and you can get more features in the paid version than in the community (free) edition.

3. Aircrack-ng

Aircrack is a WPA/WPA2 cracking, analyzer, and hash capture tool. It is a fantastic tool that you can use for Wi-Fi hacking. Aircrack-ng can capture packets and also read hashes. Additionally, it can crack hashes through multiple attacking systems. This tool can easily focus on identifying basic areas of Wi-Fi security.

4. The Metasploit Framework

Metasploit Framework is one of the widely used frameworks for penetration testing. It generally works on a local network, but you can also use it on a host server through port forwarding. Metasploit is a text tool, but you can download its GUI package, Armitage. Armitage turns Metasploit into a simpler and more convenient tool.

5. Netcat

Netcat is used for network debugging and daemon testing. It is the best networking tool because of its capabilities and a huge list of features.

You can use this tool for a variety of tasks, including port forwarding, dumping, and scanning. Netcat is also used to control remote connections, UNIX domain sockets, etc.

Kali Linux: Heaven for Hackers?

In this post, we have outlined why hackers prefer Kali Linux over other operating systems. We have covered every aspect related to the top status of Kali Linux in the hacking world. The above information is based on the features and user reviews of Kali Linux for Ethical Hacking.