15 Best Linux Distributions For Hacking & Pen Testing in 2020

techviral.net/top-10-penetration-testing-linux-distributions/

June 6, 2020

15 Best Linux Distributions For Hacking & Pen Testing in 2020

If you have a great interest in security, or if you are already working as a security
professional, you first need to search for a Linux distro that suits your purpose. Hacking
and Penetration testings are mostly done on Linux distributions.

As of now, there are hundreds of Linux distros available on the internet. Some of them
were designed for security and penetration testing. So, in this article, we have decided to
share a list of various Linux distributions that focuses on security.

These Linux distributions offer lots of useful tools for penetration testing, wireless security,
forensic, etc. So, let’s explore the list of best Linux distributions for hacking & Pen testing
in 2020.

1. BackTrack 5r3

1/20
 BackTrack 5r3

It is one of the best known Linux pentesting distros available out there. BackTrack is
usually based on the ever-popular Ubuntu. It is used to be only available within a KDE
environment but to the added version Gnome was added with BackTrack v5. The Linux
distro can be booted via live CD or flash drive. The distribution is useful for wireless
cracking, exploiting, web application assessment, learning.

2. BackBox Linux

2/20
 BackBox Linux

Similar to BackTrack, BackBox Linux is an Ubuntu-based distribution designed especially

3. Blackbuntu

3/20
 Blackbuntu

The name clearly defines that it is yet another distro that is based on Ubuntu. It provides
lots of useful tools for Information Gathering, Network Mapping, Vulnerability
Identification, Penetration, Maintaining Access, radio Network Analysis, Reverse
Engineering, etc. So, it’s another best operating system for ethical hacking in 2020.

4. Samurai Web Testing Framework

4/20
 Samurai Web Testing Framework

This is one of a live distro that is pre-configured with some open-source tools that aim only
on testing and attacking websites. The Linux distro has been pre-configured to function as
a web pen-testing environment. It offers lots of open source and free tools that would help
you focus on testing and attacking websites.

5. Knoppix STD

5/20
 Knoppix STD

Well, Knoppix STD is based on Debian and was originated in Germany. The architecture of
Knoppix StD is i486 and it runs on platforms like GNOME, KDE, LXDE. Basically, It was
designed to be used as a live CD and can be installed on a hard disk. The STD stands for
Security Tools Distribution. Knoppix provides you a full scenario for cryptography.

6. Pentoo

6/20
 Pentoo

This one is based on a security live CD on Gentoo. “Pentoo is Gentoo with the pentoo
overlay”. The Linux distro is designed for penetration testing and security assessment. The
operating system offers lots of security-focused tools and it can be customized to suit your
needs.

7. WEAKERTH4N

7/20
 WEAKERTH4N

This distro is built from Debian Squeeze and uses Fluxbox for its desktop environment.
This penetrating distro is meant for Wifi hacking as it contains many wireless tools.
Categories of WEAKERTH4N are SQL Hacking, Cisco Exploitation, Password Cracking,
Web Hacking, Networking and Shells.

8. Kali Linux

8/20
 Kali Linux

Well, Kali Linux is an Advanced Penetration Testing Linux distribution used for
Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, and network security assessments. This is one of the
best pentesting distros that you will surely love to use. Must try this out as this is the tool
packed with lots of hacking tools.

9. Bugtraq

9/20
 Bugtraq

This distro offers you a wide range of penetration and forensic tools. Bugtraq is harder to
install but runs as a live DVD or from a USB Drive. If we talk about the tools, Bugtraq offers
a wide range of tools in different branches. You would find mobile forensic tools, malware
testing tools, audit tools for GSM, wireless tools, etc.

10. NodeZero

10/20
 NodeZero

Similar to BackTrack, NodeZero is also an Ubuntu-based distro for pentesting using

11. Parrot Security OS

11/20
 Parrot Security OS

Well, Parrot Security Os by Frozenbox’s team is one of the best Linux distribution which
you can use for pen testing, computer forensics, and ethical hacking. Compared to all the
other listed in the article, Parrot Security OS is very lightweight and it’s highly efficient.
With Parrot Security OS, you will get many recognized tools that help to work and surf
anonymously.

12. DEFT Linux

12/20
 DEFT Linux

Digital Evidence and Forensic Toolkit is the best open-source Linux distro that you can use
today. Well, the distro is based on Ubuntu and it comes with lots of tools that are very
much useful for pen-testing. The distribution is highly used by ethical hackers because it
brings some wide range of tools.

13. Caine

13/20
 Caine

Well, Caine is another security-focused distro which is based on Ubuntu. Caine is also
available as a live disk and it also comes with a wide range of tools under the category of
forensics, memory, database, and network analysis.

14. Network Security Toolkit

14/20
 Network Security Toolkit

It is one of the best and easy to use Linux distro which you can use today. Well, the
operating system is based on Fedora and it’s available as a live CD. The operating system
houses some great tools for network traffic sniffing, network packet generation,
network/host scanning, and much more.

15. ArchStrike

15/20
 ArchStrike

Well, ArchStrike is previously known as ArchAssault, and its a project based on Arch
Linux. The great thing about ArchStrike is that it houses lots of Arch Linux tools and it also
brings a wide variety of tools for penetration testing and cybersecurity.

16. Fedora Security Spin

16/20
 Fedora Security Spin

Well, Fedora Security Spin is another best Penetration testing Linux distribution that you
can use in 2020. The distribution is specially designed for security auditing and testing.
Fedora Security Spin is well-suited for beginners who want to learn security methodologies
on information security.

17. BlackArch

17/20
 BlackArch

It’s another best security researching and penetration testing distribution which you can
use in 2020. BlackArch is built on the top of Arch Linux and it has its own repository. The
great thing about BlackArch is that it provides users with tons of tools that can help a lot in
penetration testing.

18. Cyborg

18/20
 Cyborg

This s a Ubuntu-based Linux distribution on the list which is widely used by security
experts and pen-testers. The great thing about Cyborg is that it packs around 700 open-
source tools which could help you in exploring mobile security, wireless security, reverse
engineering, exploitation, etc.

19. STD

19/20
 STD

Security Tool Distribution (STD) is one of the top-rated Penetration testing Linux distro
that you can use right now. Guess what? STD packs lots of open-source penetration testing
tools. Apart from that, STD can also help you to learn about authentication, encryption,
forensics, firewall, honeypots, IDS, etc.

So above are the best Penetration Testing Linux Distributions. I hope this article helped
you! Share it with your friends also. If you know any other such operating system, let us
know in the comment box below.

20/20