Guides on How To Get Started With Kali Linux | Start your Hacking Journey

As many of you already come to hear about Kali Linux but actually don't know what actually is it?. Don't worry here is what you should know about it.

Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at advanced Penetration Testing and Security Auditing. Kali contains several hundred tools which are geared towards various information security tasks, such as Penetration Testing, Security research, Computer Forensics and Reverse Engineering. Kali Linux is developed, funded and maintained by Offensive Security, a leading information security training company. It was developed to replace the first distribution known as BackTrack .

Advantages of Using Kali Linux

• More than 600 penetration testing tools included: After reviewing every tool that was included in BackTrack, Offensive Security team eliminated a great number of tools that either simply did not work or which duplicated other tools that provided the same or similar functionality and release Kali Linux Pre Installed with more than 600 Hacking Tools.
• Free and always will be: Kali Linux, like BackTrack,is an open source project therefore is completely free of charge and always will be. You will never, ever have to pay for Kali Linux.
• Open source Git tree: Kali Linux is committed to the open source development model and Kali Linux development tree is available for all to see. All of the source code which goes into Kali Linux is available for anyone who wants to tweak or rebuild packages to suit their specific needs.
• FHS compliant: Kali adheres to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, allowing Linux users to easily locate binaries, support files, libraries, etc.
• Wide-ranging wireless device support: A regular sticking point with Linux distributions has been supported for wireless interfaces. Kali Linux built to support as many wireless devices as possible, allowing it to run properly on a wide variety of hardware and making it compatible with numerous USB and other wireless devices.
• Custom kernel, patched for injection: As penetration testers, the development team often needs to do wireless assessments, so Kali Linux kernel has the latest injection patches included.
• Developed in a secure environment: The Kali Linux team is made up of a small group of individuals who are the only ones trusted to commit packages and interact with the repositories, all of which is done using multiple secure protocols.
• GPG signed packages and repositories: Every package in Kali Linux is signed by each individual developer who built and committed it, and the repositories subsequently sign the packages as well.
• Multi-language support: Although penetration tools tend to be written in English, Kali Linux team have ensured that Kali includes true multilingual support, allowing more users to operate in their native language and locate the tools they need for the job.
• Completely customizable: Offsec team thoroughly understand that not everyone will agree with their design decisions, so they have made it as easy as possible for their more adventurous users to customize Kali Linux to their liking, all the way down to the kernel.
• ARMEL and ARMHF support: Since ARM-based single-board systems like the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black, among others, are becoming more and more prevalent and inexpensive, so Kali’s ARM support would need to be as robust as we could manage, with fully working installations for both ARMEL and ARMHF systems. Kali Linux is available on a wide range of ARM devices and has ARM repositories integrated with the mainline distribution so tools for ARM are updated in conjunction with the rest of the distribution.

Now that you have knew the basics information and advantages of using Kali Linux, now lets get started using it. But before starting let take a look on this short video we liked.

5 Steps To Begin Hacking With Kali Linux

#1. Download & Burn Kali Linux

The first step to start with is to download and burn Kali Linux, visit Kali Linux Download page to download Kali Linux ISO compatible with your system.The download page will look like the one below

As you can see, you have a choice of 64-bit, 32-bit, ARMEL, or ARMEH. For most of you are with a 64-bit OS and 64-bit processor, you will want to download the 64-bit ISO. If you are not sure, download the 32-bit, it will run on either a 32-bit or 64-bit system.

#2. Install Kali Linux

Installing Kali in hard disk is similar to installing other operating system like Windows OS. For beginner here, I would recommend installing into a virtual machine (VM) or dual boot Kali Linux with your older OS. In that way, you can practice hacking between systems of your choices.

All methods of Installing Kali Linux are well explained on official Kali Linux documentation page. You can learn more about installing Kali Linux by follow this link: All methods to install Kali Linux

#3. Navigating to your new Kali Machine and start playing with Tools

Once you have Kali Linux Installed, you will be displayed with a lot of Hacking Tools and Kali Linux logo. Here now is where our hacking will be done.

#4. Buy or Download Kali Linux Revealed Book

This Kali Linux books will guide you on how to start with your new hacking machine, and after completely reading this book you will be able to:

• Use the Kali Linux OS proficiently.
• Automate, customize and pre-seed Kali Linux Installs.
• Create Kali appliances such as the Kali ISO of Doom.
• Build, modify and host Kali packages and repositories.
•  Customize and rebuild your Kernel. 
• Deploy Kali over the network. 
• Manage and orchestrate multiple installations of Kali. 
• Build and customize Kali ARM images.
• Create custom pentesting devices.

You can download softcopy or buy the hardcopy from Amazon

#5. Join Kali Training Community

The final step on this list is joining Kali training forum. There you will learn and share your Kali Linux related issues with others. Few words are easy to understand than much words.

Keep coming back, my apprentice hackers, as we will explore further the nefarious capabilities of Kali Linux!

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