Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
Features
Properties
- Privacy focused
Features
- Penetration Testing
- Security Testing
- Linux-based
- ARM support
- No Tracking
- Command line interface
- Ad-free
- Real time collaboration
- Based on Debian
Tags
- Security Auditing
- hacking
- live-cd
Kali Linux News & Activities
Recent News
- POX published news article about Kali Linux
Kali Linux 2025.4 brings GNOME 49, KDE Plasma 6.5, Wayland enhancements, and 3 new toolsKali Linux 2025.4 has launched as the latest version of the Debian-based distribution tailored for ...
- POX published news article about Kali Linux
Kali Linux 2025.3 brings Nexmon support, new Vagrant images, ARMel removal & 10 new toolsKali Linux 2025.3 is now available as the latest release of this Debian-based security-focused dist...
- Maoholguin published news article about Kali Linux
Kali Linux 2025.2 adds 13 new hacking tools, smartwatch Wi-Fi injection & MITRE-based menuKali Linux 2025.2 introduces a redesigned Kali Menu based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework, replacing ...
Recent activities
POX added Kali Linux as alternative to MicroPythonOS
Featured in Lists
Software used by the hackers in the Emmy and Golden Globe award winning drama/thriller series Mr. Robot. **THIS LIST …
Software used for 'hacking', privacy, etc.
I have noticed in general that the recommendation list for alternatives on this site is broken when it comes to Linux …
What is Kali Linux?
Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.
Kali Linux is preinstalled with numerous penetration-testing programs, including 
Nmap (a port scanner), 
Wireshark (a packet analyzer), 
John the Ripper (a password cracker), and 
Aircrack-ng (a software suite for penetration-testing wireless LANs). Users may run Kali Linux from a hard disk, live CD, or live USB. It is a supported platform of the Metasploit Project's Metasploit Framework, a tool for developing and executing security exploits.
Kali Linux is distributed in 32- and 64-bit images for use on hosts based on the x86 instruction set, as well as an image for the ARM architecture for use on the Raspberry Pi computer and on Samsung's ARM Chromebook.
Kali Linux Videos
Kali Linux information
Developed by
Offensive Security Licensing
Open Source and Free product.Rating
Average rating of 3.7Alternatives
22 alternatives listedNews
12 news article related to Kali LinuxSupported Languages
- English
Comments and Reviews
Everything you need for penetration testing and vulnerability scanning Kali Linux has it. But NOT recommended for beginners, or people that are planning to switch from Windows to Linux, go with Debian or Ubuntu instead.
People who are planning to switch from Windows, choose Kali for one purpose and one purpose only -- crack Wi-Fi passwords! So, nobody, repeat, nobody is going to choose Debian or Ubuntu instead .
Kali is pretty bloated, and doesn't even have some tools that a lot of pentesters use. Use Parrot OS or BlackArch instead.
Heavy duty penetration testing and vulnerability tool.
Kali Linux is quite slow in updating even the most important packages. Not good for my usage. Might be good for you...
It's great for pen-testing, however you probobly dont need it and shouldn't install it. https://www.kali.org/docs//introduction/should-i-use-kali-linux/
Even if you do want to get into penetration testing, you can start with any other linux distro that's meant as a daily driver
the article on alternatives to kali linux is so good, all information in one place, good work. Going to try them one by one, by visiting their website.
The gnome based shell, that I got so familiar with while using backtrack u, is still there. The Debian base is fast and easy to get used to, and easy to modify.