Name: Kali Linux
Rating: 9 (30 reviews)
Author: Offensive Security

Help Desk

Web and Video Conferencing

Customer Support

Java Technologies

No-Code Development

Performance Testing

Development

Business Intelligence (BI)

Collaboration

Integrated Workplace Management (IWMS)

Enterprise

Accounting

Accounts Payable

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)

Finance and Accounting

Applicant Tracking

Corporate Learning Management

HR Management

Payroll

Talent Intelligence

Talent Management

Vendor Management Systems (VMS)

Workforce Analytics

Workforce Management

eLearning Content

Human Resources

3D Printing

Blockchain Analysis

Cloud Storage

Configuration Management Databases

Data Center Backup

Deception Technology

DevSecOps

Fraud Detection

Graph Database

IT Professional Services

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)

Network Performance Monitoring

Network Troubleshooting

Secure Access Control

Software Asset Management

Testing Services

Vector Databases

Web Scraping

Zero Trust Security Solutions

Information Technology

A/B Testing

Ad Serving & Retargeting

All-in-One Marketing

Content Management

Demand-Side

Digital Content Creation

Email Deliverability

Email Marketing

Influencer Marketing

Market Intelligence

Marketing Automation

Social Media Advertising

Social Media Management

Survey & Forms Building

Web Analytics

Wholesale Marketplace

Marketing

Project Management

Waste Management

Professional Services

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Government Contracting

Sales

Agriculture

Camp Management

Card Management

Clinical Data Management

Fleet Management

Investment Portfolio Management

Medical Scheduling

PCB Design

Retail Analytics

Shipping

Travel Agency

Warranty Management

Vertical-Specific

Find top rated software and services based on in-depth reviews from verified users. 400+ software categories including PaaS, NoSQL, BI, HR, and more.

Metasploit

Rapid7

Debian OS

Open Source

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

Red Hat

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft

PortSwigger Burp Suite

PortSwigger Web Security

macOS

Apple

Tenable Nessus

Tenable

openSUSE Tumbleweed

SUSE

Fedora Linux

### Vulnerability Scanning
Users consistently praise Kali Linux's robust vulnerability scanning capabilities. Reviewers highlight the effectiveness of the tool in identifying SSL certificate issues, confirming proper SSL configurations, and conducting thorough scans for potential vulnerabilities on web servers. The platform's versatility in running port scans and detecting outdated plugins on WordPress sites is also commended. Despite some users mentioning limitations in support for forensic analysis and network vulnerabilities, the majority find Kali Linux to be a valuable asset for conducting penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. The tool's user-friendly interface and comprehensive explanations make it accessible for security specialists and new hires alike, enabling them to efficiently identify and address security weaknesses within applications and networks. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-18-47-54), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-12-47-24), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-11-19-13-58), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29))

### Penetration Testing Techniques
Users widely acknowledge Kali Linux's prowess in penetration testing and security analysis. Reviewers consistently praise the platform for its robust penetration testing capabilities, citing its extensive array of tools and utilities tailored for network scanning and traffic analysis. The consensus among users is that Kali Linux excels in conducting real-life penetration tests, particularly in identifying vulnerabilities and safeguarding applications from potential external threats. Additionally, users appreciate the platform's suitability for offensive testing and its ability to create backdoors within applications for comprehensive security assessments. Despite some users noting the complexity of Kali Linux for beginners and occasional Linux users, the general sentiment leans towards its effectiveness in penetration testing scenarios. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-12-47-24), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-13-26-57), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-30-06-43-06), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29))

### Cybersecurity Tools
Users generally appreciate the wide range of cybersecurity tools available in Kali Linux, noting their effectiveness in penetration testing and vulnerability scanning. While some users find the sheer number of tools to be excessive and time-consuming to navigate, others value the depth and breadth of options provided. The preinstalled tools like Burp Suite, Ghidra, and various steganography tools are highlighted as particularly beneficial for security specialists. Despite some concerns about the complexity of the tools and the need for CLI knowledge, Kali Linux's cybersecurity tools are widely regarded as a valuable asset for network engineers, pentesters, and security-conscious individuals. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-13-26-57), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-12-47-24), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-18-47-54), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-11-19-13-58), [5](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29), [6](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-30-06-43-06))

### Network Security
Reviewers generally praise Kali Linux for its robust network security capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in network scans, traffic analysis, and penetration testing. Users appreciate the array of tools available, such as Nmap, OWASP's ZAP, and BURP, which aid in identifying and addressing network vulnerabilities proactively. While some users find the lack of GUI interactivity a drawback, the consensus leans towards Kali Linux being a reliable choice for network administrators, engineers, and security professionals looking to secure their networks effectively. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-12-47-24), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-11-19-13-58))

### Application Security
Reviewers consistently highlight Kali Linux's application security prowess, emphasizing its effectiveness in safeguarding custom-developed applications and conducting penetration testing. Users appreciate the array of tools available for network scanning and traffic analysis, particularly for detecting and preventing malicious activities. While some mention the lack of user-friendliness for beginners, the overall sentiment leans towards Kali Linux being a reliable choice for enhancing application security measures within organizations. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-18-47-54), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-30-06-43-06), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-11-19-13-58), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29))

### Security Configurations and Hardening
Users generally appreciate Kali Linux's robust security configurations and hardening features. Reviewers highlight the effectiveness of Kali Linux in analyzing SSL certificates, verifying SSL configurations, and scanning for potential vulnerabilities. The platform's ability to conduct vulnerability and port scanning adds to its appeal among users looking to enhance network security. While some users mention setup complexities and configuration requirements, the overall consensus leans towards Kali Linux's strength in providing tools and utilities for network scanning and traffic analysis, bolstering security measures within organizations. (Source Reviews: [1](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-18-47-54), [2](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2023-05-11-12-47-24), [3](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-11-19-13-58), [4](https://www.trustradius.com/reviews/kali-linux-2021-06-17-01-24-29))

Users who have experience with Linux as an operating system for cybersecurity professionals highly recommend Linux to colleagues, friends, testers, ethical hackers, security analysts, network admins, bug and vulnerability analysts. They suggest starting with other Linux distributions before using Linux for beginners to ensure a smoother transition. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of going through the official website documentation of Linux thoroughly before installing and configuring it. These recommendations can help individuals in the cybersecurity field learn and practice ethical hacking, network testing, and programming effectively.

Kali Linux has been widely utilized by users for various purposes. It serves as a valuable tool for building test labs and testing network security. Network engineers and pentesters find Kali Linux particularly useful as it provides a wide range of tools and utilities for performing real-life network scans and analyzing network traffic. The system offers features to check for and prevent malicious traffic from infiltrating networks using the Linux firewall 'iptables'. Security-conscious SaaS companies rely on Kali Linux's security tools like Nmap, OWASP's ZAP, BURP, and more to conduct regular security scans, ensuring their servers are up to date and properly configured. Consulting companies and their clients also utilize Kali Linux for high-security testing across different departments. With its preinstalled security-focused tools, Kali Linux proves to be an excellent operating system choice for security consultants and specialists. Additionally, the software enables organizations to validate application vulnerabilities, perform random testing, and simulate training scenarios to familiarize new hires with company security policies and practices.

Logical and Intuitive Interface: Reviewers consistently praise the Linux Debian distribution for its logical and intuitive interface. Many users find it easy to navigate and use, making it convenient for performing various tasks.

Wide Range of Built-in Tools: Several reviewers highlight the versatility of the Linux Debian distribution, thanks to its wide range of over 600 useful tools. These tools include those for port analysis, website hosting, and proxy server usage, among others. This comprehensive toolset caters to different needs and enhances the overall functionality of the distribution.

High Level of Security: The Linux Debian distribution receives positive feedback from reviewers regarding its high level of security. Users appreciate that it offers better security than Windows and specifically mention its capability for analyzing SSL certificates and server configurations. This feature is particularly valuable for vulnerability scanning and port scanning, ensuring a secure system environment.

Kali Linux  is an open source, advanced penetration testing platform supported by Offensive Security headquartered in New York.

Hackrate makes cybersecurity testing transparent by providing a crowdsourced approach for continuous security testing and a solution for controlling and monitoring ethical hacking projects.

Hackrate

Free

Basic

Advanced

Teams

Pentest-Tools.com

Kali Linux

Application Security Testing is a key element of ensuring that web applications remain secure. Various tools and managed services exist to provide continuous testing, besides application security platforms that include app testing as part of their functionality. Penetration Testing (Pen Testing) Tools provide means to conduct authorized, ethical hacking of applications in production, to locate vulnerabilities that may be exploited by hackers.

Penetration Testing

Extract iPhone and Android EXIF metadata from online photos using PYTHON // OSINT with Kali Linux

Linux deploy full demo with installing kali linux & all error fixed (part 1)

Python Brute Force Password hacking (Kali Linux SSH)

Information Technology & Services

Likelihood to Recommend

Likelihood to Renew

Offensive Security

Ubuntu

Autopsy Digital Forensics

Kali Linux 2023-05-11 13:26:57

Director of IT

Kali Linux 2023-05-11 12:47:24

SolarWinds AppOptics

Co-founder, Lead developer, Lead designer

Kali Linux 2023-05-11 18:47:54

Nmap

CentOS Linux

Terminal

Network Engineer

Kali Linux 2021-06-17 01:24:29

Wireshark

Oracle Solaris

LibreOffice

IBM AIX

Parrot Analytics

AnyDesk

Kali Linux 2021-06-30 06:43:06

TrustRadius is a technology and business research firm based in Austin, Texas. The company is known as a review platform for verified B2B technology and software reviews through a proprietary algorithm and human verification.

TrustRadius

Windows support

Graphical interface

High security

Testing tools

Information security

Powerful tools

Open source

Suite of tools

Home

Penetration Testing Tools

Kali Linux is a great operating system that comes preinstalled with a ton of tools that can be used for penetration testing.

Forensics
Steganography
Reverse engineering

Option to deselect tools upon install
Instructions for all the tools
Lightweight install option

Burp suite preinstalled
Ghidra preinstalled
Multiple Steganography tools preinstalled

Kali is a free OS which makes it very useful to install so many tools while not paying a premium

Ubuntu Linux, PortSwigger Burp Suite and Autopsy Digital Forensics

Ubuntu Linux, Autopsy Digital Forensics, PortSwigger Burp Suite

I started using Kali when taking security courses. Building a Test Lab and using ti to test and harden the security of the network.

logical and intuitive interface
come with over 600 useful tools
built Linux Debian distribution

GIU interfaces for some tools
Kali is mostly CLI based and requires knowledge of the CLI commands

Network Scans
Traffic analysis
Pen testing

Identifying weaknesses before they become a problem
Hardening a Corporate or Home network

As a SaaS company we must perform regular security scans to ensure our servers are up to date and configured properly. We use Kali's security tools for this purpose.

Analyzing SSL certificates
Analyzing SSL server configurations
Vulnerability scanning
Port scanning

Kali is a collection of tools, so the documentation is fragmented. It would be nice to have more centralized docs.

Verifying SSL certificates
Confirming SSL configurations
Scanning web sites for potential vulnerability issues

Almost entirely positive. It's an indispensable tool in cybersecurity.

Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux OS, and it has a variety of tools and utilities for a Network Engineer and Pentester to perform a real-life Network scan and analyze the traffic through my organization's Network. It checks if any malicious traffic doesn't pass through using the Linux firewall "iptables", where iptables is a daemon process consists of a set of security rules to analyze the traffic protocols in the application layer or even in lower layers. It provides a range of tools for Security purposes to scan a network like Nmap, OWASP's ZAP, BURP, and many more.

Port analyses
Hosting any website
Using system as a proxy server
More secure than Windows

To make the Graphical interface more interactive, because Linux distros are more tend to be used in CLI.

Proxying
Making as a Server
Port Analyses
Scanning
Enumeration in binary , hex , or octal or even in ascii every tools are available

Till now Kali Linux have not made a single penny negative impact on our companies business , its so powerful and useful at the same time for our company.

As a consultant working for a consulting company, this flavour of Linux called Kali Linux is being used across by several customers of ours. We also use for Kali Linux in few of our in house off shore development centers within the organization. The main goals for using Kali Linux is for high security and penetration testing with in and across various departments.

Provides high security.
Does great job with penetration testing.
Has good number of testing tools with in.

Usage wise, it is tough for use by beginners. Can be improved.
With Kali Linux have noticed driver related issues especially with Nvidia graphics cards.
Kali Linux can be improved for use as a day to day OS.

High number of inbuilt testing tools.
Good for penetration testing of in house applications.
Capable of knowing and creating back doors with in an application.

Initial stages of figuring out back doors in an application hence making them secure.
ROI is good as it reduces in production security threats by letting us know well in advance.
Entire development team along with its designers get a huge sigh of relief as all security holes are sealed well in advance before going into production.

IBM AIX, Oracle Solaris, Wireshark, AnyDesk, LibreOffice, Debian OS

Kali Linux

Overview

What is Kali Linux?