Kali Linux (formerly known as BackTrack) is a Debian-based distribution with a collection of security and forensics tools. It features timely security updates, support for the ARM architecture, a choice of four popular desktop environments, and seamless upgrades to newer versions.
To compare the software in this project to the software available in other distributions, please see our Compare Packages page.
Notes: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The Apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "plasma-desktop" package and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.
Colour scheme:green text = latest stable version, red text = development or beta version. The function determining beta versions is not 100% reliable due to a wide variety of versioning schemes.
Kali Linux is not like your regular Windows or macOS—it’s built specifically for ethical hacking and cybersecurity tasks. It comes with hundreds of pre-installed security tools that allow users to test networks, find vulnerabilities, and protect systems from attacks.
One of the biggest advantages of Kali Linux is its portability—you can install it on a computer, run it from a USB drive, or even use it inside a virtual machine. This makes it easy for cybersecurity professionals, students, and researchers to practice ethical hacking safely without affecting their main system.
i like kali :-))
Kali Linux focuses on various information security tasks, such as penetration testing, security research, and computer forensics. While it’s one of the top choices in terms of security, it’s primarily focused on safety testing rather than general-purpose computing. Kali Linux may not be favorable to mainstream users but it’s still a perfect choice for cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and those willing to spend countless hours trying to understand the ins and outs of network elements and computer science.
This is a great OS. I love that it comes preloaded with a lot of the necessary tools and can be bootable from just a flash drive. It is so lightweight and a great utility. I have used it pretty extensively in school in labs for a “CTF” competition and various other projects. I have also used it professionally to test some of our security measures.
pros:
+Lightweight
+Bootable from flash drive (no install)
+All the tools and utilities loaded with it
cons:
+ Zero = (0)
i like kali-linux and is very good for cyber-security-students :-))
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