Best Open-Source Distributions for Pentesting and Forensics
Linux has an extensive range of open-source distributions that pentesters, ethical hackers and network defenders can use in their work, whether for pentesting, digital forensics or other cybersecurity uses.
Also known as “distros,” these distributions are variations of Linux that include the Linux kernel and usually a specific package manager.
For example, Kali Linux, one of the most popular pentesting OSs, is Debian-based, which means it’s based on the Debian Project. Ubuntu, a famous Linux distro you may already know, is also Debian-derived.
Here are eight of the best Linux distros for cybersecurity use cases, for beginners through advanced users, along with some issues to consider as you select a Linux security distro.
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If you’re an absolute beginner, I would not recommend using a pentesting distro. Most pentesting distros have two major drawbacks: they can be overwhelming, and they require advanced knowledge.