In the world of cybersecurity, having the right tools is crucial. This page highlights the best Linux distributions tailored for hacking, offering a range of features from extensive security toolkits to powerful customization options.
A comprehensive suite of pre-installed hacking and security tools is essential for efficient penetration testing.
Enhanced security settings and privacy-focused features are critical for maintaining operational security during tasks.
The ability to tweak and customize the system allows hackers to optimize their environment for specific tasks.
Active community forums and support channels provide helpful resources and troubleshooting assistance.
Our top picks for hacking, ranked by overall experience.
Ultimate hacking toolkit
Kali Linux is renowned for its comprehensive suite of security and penetration testing tools. It's the go-to choice for many cybersecurity professionals.
Security and privacy focused
Parrot OS offers a lightweight environment with a focus on security, privacy, and development, making it ideal for ethical hackers.
Arch-based penetration testing
BlackArch Linux is an Arch Linux-based distribution for penetration testers and security researchers, offering over 2500 tools.
Efficient and effective
BackBox is an Ubuntu-based distribution that provides a complete set of tools required for ethical hacking and security testing.
Privacy-first live OS
Tails is a live operating system that aims to preserve your privacy and anonymity, making it a critical tool for secure communications.
Security through isolation
Qubes OS is designed to provide strong security for desktop computing through security by compartmentalization, using virtual machines.
Not sure which to pick? These comparisons might help.
Linux provides a flexible, open-source environment that is ideal for running a variety of security tools and scripts used in penetration testing and ethical hacking.
While Kali Linux is powerful, it can be complex for beginners. It's recommended to have some basic knowledge of Linux before diving into Kali for hacking.
Parrot OS offers a more lightweight and privacy-focused environment compared to Kali Linux, which is heavily tool-oriented for penetration testing.
While possible, it's not recommended to use hacking distros as daily drivers due to their specialized nature and potential security vulnerabilities.
Using hacking tools is legal as long as you have permission to test the systems you are working on. Unauthorized access or testing is illegal.
Regular updates are crucial to keep your system secure and ensure you have the latest tools and features. Check for updates frequently.
Compare any two distros side-by-side.
