10 Cool Linux Distros For Penetration Testing!

Penetration testers have to keep practicing in order to keep their skills sharpened. There are many free, open Linux distributions and web applications that can help. Here are 10 of the best Linux distros you can use.

1.BackTrack 5r3

R3 focuses on bug-fixes as well as the addition of over 60 new tools – several of which were released in BlackHat and Defcon 2012. A whole new tool category was populated – “Physical Exploitation”, which now includes tools such as the Arduino IDE and libraries, as well as the Kautilya Teensy payload collection.

2.NodeZero

All though NodeZero Linux can be used as a “Live System” for occasional testing, its real strength comes from the understanding that a tester requires a strong and efficient system. NodeZero Linux is reliable, stable, and powerful. Based on the industry leading Ubuntu linux distribution, NodeZero Linux takes all the stability and reliability that comes with Ubuntu’s Long Term Support model, and its power comes from the tools configured to live comfortably within the environment.

3.BackBox Linux

BackBox is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It has been developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. Designed to be fast, easy to use and provide a minimal yet complete desktop environment, thanks to its own software repositories, always being updated to the latest stable version of the most used and best known ethical hacking tools.

4.blackbuntu

Penetration Testing Distribution based on Ubuntu 10.10 which was specially designed for security training students and practitioners of information security.

5.Samurai Web Testing Framework

The Samurai Web Testing Framework is a live linux environment that has been pre-configured to function as a web pen-testing environment. The CD contains the best of the open source and free tools that focus on testing and attacking websites.

6.Knoppix STD

STD is a Linux-based Security Tool. Actually, it is a collection of hundreds if not thousands of open source security tools. It's a Live Linux Distro, which means it runs from a bootable CD in memory without changing the native operating system of the host computer. Its sole purpose in life is to put as many security tools at your disposal with as slick an interface as it can. STD is meant to be used by both novice and professional security personnel but is not ideal for the Linux uninitiated. STD assumes you know the basics of Linux as most of your work will be done from the command line.

7.Pentoo

Pentoo is a security-focused livecd based on Gentoo. It's basically a gentoo install with lots of customised tools, customised kernel, and much more. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the features currently included:

-Hardened Kernel with aufs patches

-Backported Wifi stack from latest stable kernel release

-Module loading support ala slax

-Changes saving on usb stick

-XFCE4 wm

-Cuda/OPENCL cracking support with development tools

-System updates if you got it finally installed

8.WEAKERTH4N

Weakerth4n is a penetration testing distribution which is built from Debian Squeeze. For the desktop environment it uses Fluxbox. It is ideal for WiFi hacking as it contains plenty of Wireless tools.

9.Matriux Krypton

It is a fully featured security distribution based on Debian consisting of a powerful bunch of more than 300 open source and free tools that can be used for various purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, ethical hacking, system and network administration, cyber forensics investigations, security testing, vulnerability analysis, and much more. It is a distribution designed for security enthusiasts and professionals, although it can be used normally as your default desktop system.

10.CAINE

CAINE (Computer Aided INvestigative Environment) is an Italian GNU/Linux live distribution created as a project of Digital Forensics. CAINE offers a complete forensic environment that is organised to integrate existing software tools as software modules and to provide a friendly graphical interface.The distro is open source, the Windows side (Wintaylor) is open source and, the last but not the least, the distro is installable.