It's a good starting point to be able to learn more about cybersecurity and penetration testing. If you're looking to get into ethical hacking or plan to use it for work-related applications, though, then Kali Linux is one of the best options available to you. As such, you'll mostly be operating them with a terminal via command lines. Most Kali programs don't offer any kind of graphical user interface. If this is your first foray into Linux operating systems, Kali Linux is not a good option to start with, mainly due to its steep learning curve. Who is Kali Linux for?īefore diving in, there are some things that you should consider first. This is often in relation to cybercrime, or computer crime, wherein victims were the target of hackers for extortion, financial fraud, or online harassment.

In addition, Kali Linux is also often used for digital forensics, a branch of forensics science that entails the recovery and investigation of data found on digital devices like computers and other smart gadgets in modern society. It comes pre-installed with a set of advanced tools, including Nmap, Aircrack-ng, and Wireshark, to help conduct these tests effectively.

Penetration Testing, sometimes referred to as 'ethical hacking,' is a simulated cyberattack that is done on a computer to be able to test out its security measures and identify possible vulnerabilities that real-life hackers could take advantage of. Instead of being a viable desktop OS replacement, though, its focus is more on penetration testing and cybersecurity research.

Kali is based on Debian, another Linux distribution that has been a popular choice for consumer-level use. Kali Linux is an open-source project that is currently being maintained and funded by Offensive Security, a provider of world-class penetration testing services and information security training.

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