Kali Linux is a specialized open-source operating system designed for cybersecurity, penetration testing, and ethical hacking. Built on Debian, it comes with pre-installed security tools for digital forensics, vulnerability assessment, and network analysis. Like other Linux distributions, it shares Unix-like architecture, including the kernel, shell, and command-line utilities, making it a powerful choice for security professionals.
What is Kali Linux Used For? – Kali Linux is primarily used for penetration testing, ethical hacking, cybersecurity research, and digital forensics. It comes preloaded with security tools for vulnerability assessment, network analysis, and exploit testing, making it the go-to OS for security professionals and ethical hackers.
This Kali Linux tutorial is designed to guide users—from beginners to professionals—through every aspect of Kali Linux, ensuring a thorough understanding of its features and applications. It begins with an introduction to Kali Linux, including its purpose, benefits, akali nd evolution, followed by detailed instructions for installation and configuration on various platforms like VirtualBox, WSL, and physical machines.
Kali Linux TutorialAdditionally, with sections on web application testing, forensics, password cracking, and anonymity tools, it equips learners with the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Introduction to Kali Linux
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.
Installing & Setting Up Kali Linux
In this section you will learn diffrent ways to install and run Kali Linux on your system:
Kali Linux on Windows 10/11 (WSL 2)
WSL 2 provides a lightweight, fast, and efficient way to run Kali Linux inside Windows without needing a full virtual machine or dual boot setup. Unlike VirtualBox, WSL 2 natively integrates with Windows, using a real Linux kernel for better performance and system resource management. It allows seamless file sharing between Windows and Linux, making it a great option for penetration testers, ethical hackers, and developers.
Post-Installation Essentials
Complete Kali Linux Commands
In this section we will cover complete Kali Linux commands designed for penetration testing and ethical hacking.
File System & Directory Structure
File Management
Package Management
Linux Networking:
In this section, we cover essential tools available in Kali Linux for penetration testing, cybersecurity, and digital forensics.
Kali Linux provides essential information-gathering tools for penetration testing, reconnaissance, and OSINT, aiding in network, domain, IP, and vulnerability analysis.
- DNS and Domain Information Gathering
- Nmap – Network scanning and reconnaissance tool
- dnsrecon – DNS enumeration and brute-force tool
- fierce – DNS reconnaissance tool for identifying IP ranges
- whois – Domain lookup for registrant information
- Sublist3r – Subdomain enumeration using OSINT techniques
- Network Scanning & Host Discovery
- Zenmap – GUI-based front-end for Nmap
- hping3– TCP/IP packet generator for network testing
- Fping – Advanced ping tool for scanning multiple IPs
- masscan – High-speed port scanner (faster than Nmap)
- OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) Gathering
- Shodan CLI – Searches Shodan's database for internet-exposed devices
- Maltego – Graphical link analysis for intelligence gathering
- Recon-ng– Web-based reconnaissance framework
- SpiderFoot – Automates OSINT for network reconnaissance
- FOCA – Extracts metadata from documents to find hidden information
- Web Information Gathering
- WhatWeb – Identifies technologies used by a website
- Wafw00f – Web application firewall (WAF) fingerprinting tool
- XanXSS – Simple XSS Finding Tool in Kali Linux
- httprint – Web server fingerprinting tool
- CMSmap – Detects vulnerabilities in CMS (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal)
- Email and Social Media Intelligence Gathering
- theHarvester – Email and social network reconnaissance
- Sherlock – Finds usernames across various social media platforms
- Maryam – Perfect OSINT Framework
- IP & Geolocation Tracking
- IPGeolocation – Finds physical location based on an IP address
- Traceroute (tracert) – Tracks the route packets take to a destination
- VoIP & SIP Intelligence Gathering
Vulnerability Analysis
Vulnerability Analysis Tools in Kali Linux are essential for penetration testing, helping identify security weaknesses in web applications, networks, and operating systems.
- Web Application Vulnerability Scanners
- Nikto – A web server vulnerability scanner that detects outdated software, misconfigurations, and security flaws.
- Skipfish – An automated web application security scanner that maps vulnerabilities using a recursive crawl technique.
- Network Vulnerability Scanners
- OpenVAS – One of the most comprehensive vulnerability scanners, detecting security flaws in networks and hosts.
- Nmap (Network Mapper) – A powerful tool for network discovery and security auditing.
- Unicornscan – An advanced network reconnaissance tool for high-speed port scanning and fingerprinting.
- Nessus (Manually Installed) – A widely used vulnerability scanner that detects security gaps in network infrastructure.
- System & Security Auditing Tools
- Lynis – A system auditing tool that checks for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in Unix-based systems.
- Chrootkit – Detects local rootkits and backdoors in Linux systems.
- Rkhunter (Rootkit Hunter) – Scans for rootkits, exploits, and hidden malicious files.
- Tiger – Security audit tool that performs checks to identify vulnerabilities in system configurations.
Web Application Analysis
- Burp Suite
- SQL Injection with SQLmap
- OWASP ZAP – Automated Web Vulnerability Scanner
- Dirb – Web Directory Scanner
- Wfuzz: brute-force tool used for discovering hidden files, directories
- Commix - Automated tool for command injection vulnerabilities.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Testing
Password Attacks
Password attacks in penetration testing help ethical hackers assess authentication security using Kali Linux tools for brute-force, dictionary, and credential cracking.
- John the Ripper – Password cracking tool
- Hydra – Brute-force login attacks
- Hashcat – Advanced password recovery
- Medusa – Fast Parallel Brute-Forcing Tool
- CeWL – Custom wordlist generator
- LaZagne - Extracts saved passwords from applications like browsers, Wi-Fi, email clients, and databases.
Wireless Attacks
Kali Linux offers powerful wireless penetration testing tools for Wi-Fi security assessment, including network monitoring, de-authentication, password cracking, spoofing, and traffic analysis.
- Wi-Fi Network Scanning & Monitoring Tools
- Aircrack-ng– Monitoring, attacking, testing, and cracking Wi-Fi networks.
- airodump-ng – Captures and displays packets on a Wi-Fi network.
- Reaver – A brute-force attack tool for cracking WPS-enabled networks.
- Wi-Fi Packet Injection & Deauthentication Tools
- aireplay-ng – A tool for injecting packets and de-authenticating users.
- mdk3 – A Wi-Fi testing tool for de-authentication and fake access point creation.
- KawaiiDeauther – Jam All WiFi Clients/Routers.
- Wi-Fi Cracking & Password Recovery Tools
- pyrit – Optimized for GPU-based WPA/WPA2 password cracking.
- hashcat – High-performance password recovery tool that can crack WPA/WPA2 handshakes.
- cowpatty – Used to brute-force WPA-PSK keys from a captured handshake.
- Wireless Hacking Automation & General Tools
Kali Linux provides a powerful suite of exploitation tools designed for penetration testing, ethical hacking, and vulnerability exploitation in systems, networks, and applications.
Sniffing & Spoofing
Kali Linux offers powerful sniffing and spoofing tools for analyzing, intercepting, and manipulating network traffic, essential for penetration testing and security auditing.
- Sniffing Tools in Kali Linux
- Wireshark - Packet analyzer tool
- tcpdump - Command-line tool for capturing and analyzing network packets
- Ettercap - MITM (Man-In-The-Middle) attacks and packet sniffing
- Spoofing Tools in Kali Linux
Maintaining Access
Maintaining access tools in Kali Linux ensure persistent control over compromised systems by enabling persistence, remote access, and evasion of detection.
- Netcat (nc) – Reverse shell and port scanning
- Metasploit Framework (Persistence Module)
- Empire – Post-exploitation framework
- PowerSploit - PowerShell post-exploitation toolkit
- Chattr - Modify file attributes to prevent detection and deletion
Digital Forensics
Reverse Engineering
- Ghidra – Software reverse engineering tool
- Radare2 – Binary analysis framework
- strace – Trace system calls
Penetration Testing
Exploitation and Reverse Engineering
Cybersecurity experts use exploitation, reverse engineering, and privilege escalation to analyze vulnerabilities, with Metasploit for penetration testing, Ghidra, Radare2, and OllyDbg for binary analysis, and Cuckoo Sandbox for malware detection
Introduction to Exploitation and Reverse Engineering
Before diving into tools and techniques, it's essential to understand exploitation, reverse engineering, and privilege escalation in cybersecurity.
The Metasploit Framework is a powerful tool for penetration testing and post-exploitation activities.
Reverse engineering is essential for analyzing malware, binaries, and software vulnerabilities.
- Ghidra for Binary Analysis
- Debugging with Radare2 and OllyDbg
Malware and its Analysis
Malware analysis helps in detecting malicious software behavior and creating defensive measures against cyber threats.
Social Engineering and Phishing
Cybercriminals frequently use social engineering tactics like phishing, exploiting human psychology rather than technical flaws, to steal sensitive data
Introduction to Social Engineering and Phishing
Understanding Phishing Attacks
Creating Phishing Campaigns
Shells and Payloads
Shells and payloads are crucial for ethical hackers to gain remote access and control compromised systems, requiring knowledge of various shell types, exploitation tools, and post-exploitation techniques for effective defense.
Advanced Techniques
Kali Linux empowers cybersecurity professionals with tools for vulnerability analysis, exploit development, security research, and stealth operations, including bypassing firewalls, IDS/IPS, and enhancing anonymity.
Buffer Overflow Attacks exploit memory vulnerabilities to execute malicious code, often used for privilege escalation
Bypassing Firewalls & Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) involves stealthy methods to evade security defenses, allowing deeper network penetration.
Anonymity and VPNs in Kali Linux help conceal identity and encrypt traffic, ensuring secure and untraceable cybersecurity operations.
Comparison of Kali Linux with others OS
In this comparison given below, we will analyze Kali Linux, Parrot OS, BlackArch, and BackBox based on various factors, including ease of use, performance, tool availability, security features, and customization options.
| Feature | Kali Linux | Parrot OS | BlackArch | BackBox |
|---|
| Primary Purpose | Penetration Testing, Security Research | Penetration Testing, Anonymity, Digital Forensics | Advanced Penetration Testing, Security Research | Ethical Hacking, Security Analysis |
| Base OS | Debian | Debian | Arch Linux | Ubuntu |
| Default Desktop Environment | XFCE (previously GNOME) | MATE & KDE | Various (i3, Openbox, XFCE, GNOME, etc.) | XFCE |
| Number of Pre-Installed Tools | ~600+ | ~700+ | 2800+ | ~100+ |
| Target Audience | Professional Penetration Testers, Red Teamers | Ethical Hackers, Security Enthusiasts, Digital Forensic Experts | Advanced Security Researchers, Red Teams, Hardcore Hackers | Security Professionals, Beginners in Ethical Hacking |
| System Resource Usage | Moderate | Light to Moderate | High | Light |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | User-Friendly | Requires Advanced Knowledge | Beginner-Friendly |
| Security Features | Encrypted Persistence, Secure Boot, Forensic Mode | Anonsurf (for Anonymity), Secure Forensics Mode | Advanced Security Patches, Optimized for Pen Testing | Lightweight Security Enhancements |
| Customization Options | Moderate | High | Very High | Moderate |
| Hardware Requirements | Medium | Low to Medium | High | Low |
| Performance | Optimized for Pen Testing | Balanced Performance | Can Be Heavy on Resources | Lightweight |
| Support & Community | Large Community, Regular Updates | Large Community, Security-Focused | Smaller, Niche Community | Active Support, Ubuntu-Based Stability |
| Best For | Professional Cybersecurity Tasks | Anonymity, Privacy, and Digital Forensics | Advanced Hacking and Research | Entry-Level Penetration Testing and Security Audits |
Is Kali Linux Legal?
Kali Linux itself is not illegal. It is a legal penetration testing and ethical hacking distribution developed by Offensive Security. However, its legality depends on how it is used. Below is a detailed explanation of its legality in different contexts.
1. Kali Linux is Legal for Ethical Use
- Kali Linux is a legal security distribution designed for penetration testing, ethical hacking, cybersecurity research, and forensic analysis.
- It is used by cybersecurity professionals, white-hat hackers, IT administrators, and security researchers to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
- Offensive Security, a well-known cybersecurity company, develops Kali Linux and provides certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) to train ethical hackers.
2. Using Kali Linux for Illegal Activities is a Crime
- Hacking without permission is illegal. If you use Kali Linux to access networks, computers, or data without authorization, it is considered illegal hacking or cybercrime.
- Laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) in the USA, Cyber Crime Laws in the UK (Computer Misuse Act 1990), and IT Act in India strictly prohibit unauthorized access.
- Unauthorized penetration testing on government, corporate, or personal systems is punishable by fines, legal action, or imprisonment.
3. Penetration Testing Requires Permission
- Authorized penetration testing is legal. Companies and organizations hire ethical hackers to test their security.
- Before conducting a penetration test, you must have explicit written permission from the system owner.
- Bug bounty programs run by companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft allow ethical hackers to legally find vulnerabilities in exchange for rewards.
Kali Linux Certification
Due to its specialized security tools and capabilities, many professionals seek Kali Linux certifications to validate their skills in ethical hacking and penetration testing. Earning a Kali Linux certification enhances job opportunities and demonstrates expertise in offensive security, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
Most important Kali Linux certifications are:
| Certification | Provider | Focus Area | Difficulty Level | Prerequisites | Exam Format | Best For |
|---|
| Kali Linux Certified Professional (KLCP) | Offensive Security | Kali Linux usage, commands, package management | Beginner | No prerequisites | Multiple-choice questions | Beginners looking to validate Kali Linux knowledge |
| Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) | Offensive Security | Hands-on penetration testing, exploit development | Advanced | Basic networking & Linux skills recommended | 24-hour hands-on practical exam | Aspiring penetration testers, ethical hackers |
| Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | EC-Council | Ethical hacking methodologies, reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration | Intermediate | 2 years of IT security experience (waived if training is taken) | Multiple-choice questions | Security analysts, penetration testers |
| GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) | GIAC | Advanced penetration testing, vulnerability assessments | Intermediate | Networking & Linux knowledge recommended | Multiple-choice exam with hands-on labs | Security professionals, red teamers |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | CompTIA | Network penetration testing, vulnerability scanning | Intermediate | Basic IT security experience recommended | Multiple-choice and performance-based questions | IT professionals entering cybersecurity |
| eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT) | eLearnSecurity | Web and network penetration testing | Intermediate to Advanced | Understanding of Kali Linux tools | Hands-on lab-based exam | Security researchers, penetration testers |
Career & Jobs in Kali Linux (Ethical Hacking)
Kali Linux skills are in high demand across industries such as finance, healthcare, government agencies, IT companies, and cybersecurity firms.
Also, Kali Linux expertise opens doors to high-demand cybersecurity roles like penetration tester and security analyst, with salaries averaging $80,000+ per year. Below are some job roles and salaries offered after getting skilled in Kali Linux:
| Job Role | Description | Skills Required | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|
| Ethical Hacker (Certified Ethical Hacker - CEH) | Conducts security assessments, finds vulnerabilities, and provides security solutions. | Kali Linux, Penetration Testing, Metasploit, Reconnaissance, Network Security | $80,000 - $120,000 |
| Penetration Tester (Pentester) | Simulates cyberattacks to identify system weaknesses and improve security. | Kali Linux, Exploitation, Web Application Security, Network Security, Social Engineering | $90,000 - $140,000 |
| Security Analyst | Monitors security incidents, investigates breaches, and ensures compliance with security policies. | Kali Linux, SIEM, Threat Intelligence, Incident Response | $75,000 - $110,000 |
| Red Team Specialist | Engages in offensive security testing to simulate real-world cyber threats. | Kali Linux, Red Teaming, Social Engineering, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) | $100,000 - $150,000 |
| Digital Forensics Analyst | Analyzes cybercrime evidence and retrieves digital data for investigations. | Kali Linux, Forensics, File System Analysis, Data Recovery | $70,000 - $110,000 |
| Cybersecurity Consultant | Advises businesses on improving security strategies, policies, and threat mitigation techniques. | Kali Linux, Risk Assessment, Compliance, Cloud Security | $90,000 - $130,000 |
| Bug Bounty Hunter | Finds and reports security flaws in web applications and networks for rewards. | Kali Linux, Web Security, Exploit Development, XSS, SQL Injection | Earnings vary (performance-based) |
| Network Security Engineer | Ensures secure network architecture, firewalls, and VPN configurations. | Kali Linux, IDS/IPS, Firewalls, VPN, Wireshark | $85,000 - $130,000 |
| Malware Analyst | Analyzes, detects, and mitigates malware threats using reverse engineering. | Kali Linux, Reverse Engineering, Ghidra, Radare2, Cuckoo Sandbox | $90,000 - $140,000 |
| SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center Analyst) | Monitors real-time cyber threats and defends against attacks. | Kali Linux, SIEM, Threat Hunting, IDS/IPS, Log Analysis | $65,000 - $105,000 |
Companies Using Kali Linux
Companies and organizations that use Kali Linux focus on penetration testing, network security, malware analysis, and cyber defense strategies. Below is a list of notable companies and government agencies known for leveraging Kali Linux in their cybersecurity operations:
| Company/Organization | Industry | Usage of Kali Linux |
|---|
| Google | Technology | Security testing of applications and networks |
| Microsoft | Technology | Cybersecurity research and vulnerability analysis |
| Tesla | Automotive | Securing connected vehicles and IoT infrastructure |
| IBM | IT & Cybersecurity | Penetration testing and enterprise security audits |
| Cisco | Networking | Network security testing and vulnerability assessments |
| Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) | Social Media | Web and application security testing |
| Apple | Technology | Ethical hacking and security enhancement |
| Amazon (AWS) | Cloud & eCommerce | Cloud security testing and incident response |
| Twitter/X | Social Media | Security audits and protection against cyber threats |
| Red Hat | Open-Source | Enterprise security assessments and forensic analysis |
| Oracle | IT & Database | Securing cloud services and database systems |
| US Department of Defense (DoD) | Government | Cyber warfare, defense, and intelligence operations |
| NSA (National Security Agency, USA) | Government | Advanced penetration testing and cyber espionage defense |
| FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation, USA) | Law Enforcement | Cybercrime investigations and digital forensics |
| Interpol | Law Enforcement | Tracking cyber threats and digital forensics |
| NASA | Aerospace | Cybersecurity research and protection of space systems |
| Tesla | Automotive | Security testing for self-driving technology and connected systems |
| Lockheed Martin | Defense & Aerospace | Cybersecurity research and threat detection |
| Pfizer | Healthcare | Protecting medical research and patient data security |
| Siemens | Industrial & IoT | Securing industrial control systems (ICS) and IoT devices |
| Deloitte | Consulting | Cybersecurity advisory and ethical hacking services |
| KPMG | Consulting | Penetration testing and security auditing for enterprises |
| Ernst & Young (EY) | Consulting | Enterprise security and digital risk assessments |
| Symantec (NortonLifeLock) | Cybersecurity | Threat detection, penetration testing, and malware analysis |
| McAfee | Cybersecurity | Ethical hacking and vulnerability assessments |
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FGDUMP in System HackingFgdump in system hacking in Ethical hacking is a tool and technique used by the ethical hacker that helps the intruder gain full access to the operating system of a remote machine. This tool can be quite useful when you are trying to find vulnerabilities within a company's computer systems, or if yo
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Password Auditing With L0phtcrack 7 ToolIn essence, password auditing programs make guesses about the credentials being used on your network. They accomplish this using a combination of brute force and dictionary assaults, among other techniques, and then inform you of any other ways the passwords may be compromised, such as by being pwne
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What is Salted Password Hashing?Salted password hashing can be used to improve password security by adding additional layers of randomness on top of the hashing process. Salt is a cryptographically secure random string that is added to a password before it's hashed, and the salt should be stored with the hash, making it difficult
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How to Defend Against Password Cracking of Systems?To Defend against Password Cracking of systems in Ethical Hacking, you need to know how password cracking functions. Password cracking is the act of using a computer program to try to guess an inputted password. There are many forms of attacks that can be used in this process, but they all result in
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How to Defend Against Wi-Fi Pineapple?A Hack Wi-Fi Pineapple is a wireless auditing platform that enables network security managers to do penetration testing. Penetration tests are a sort of ethical hacking in which white hat hackers look for security flaws that a black hat attacker may exploit. A Wi-Fi Pineapple resembles a typical Wi-
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What is DLL Hijacking?Each Windows program relies on small assistive files named DLLs (Dynamic Link Libraries). These provide applications with functionality for simple activities such as printing, saving a file, or going online. When a malicious DLL is hidden inside by a hacker with the same name, the application picks
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How to Prevent Privilege Escalation?Privilege escalation is the process of exploiting a bug or design flaw in an operating system and obtaining elevated privileges to access information, change data, or exploit vulnerabilities. This blog post explores some common ways privilege escalation could be mitigated. Prevent Privilege Escalati
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Malware Analysis
Most Popular Methods Used By Hackers to Spread RansomwareRansomware is a malicious malware code usually designed to deny users access to their own systems until a ransom payment is paid to the creator of ransomware to achieve a decryption key. Ransomware is far more dangerous than normal malware, it is spread through many ways like phishing emails that co
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What is Malvertising? Working and ExamplesCyber attacks are extremely dangerous attacks executed on the Internet. Cyber attacks give unauthorized access to hackers/ cyber criminals of the users or the organizations of the computer system. Modern times have recorded a huge increase in cyber attacks conducted every second. MalvertisingCyber a
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How to Find Trojan on Computers?A Trojan virus, or Trojan malware, is actually malicious code or software that looks legitimate to the victim but can take full control over the victim's computer. It is designed to steal, manipulate, disrupt, damage, or do some other destructive action on your data, network, and computer system. It
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Malwares - Malicious SoftwareMalware is malicious software and refers to any software that is designed to cause harm to computer systems, networks, or users. Malware can take many forms. Individuals and organizations need to be aware of the different types of malware and take steps to protect their systems, such as using antivi
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What is WannaCry and How does WannaCry ransomware worksIn May 2017, a massive cyberattack shook the world when the WannaCry ransomware outbreak spread rapidly across hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 150 countries. This ransomware targeted organizations ranging from government agencies to healthcare providers, including the UK’s National H
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Working of Stuxnet VirusStuxnet is a powerful and malicious computer worm that first appeared in 2010. It is also reported to be the largest and most expensive malware of this type. It exploited a previously unknown Windows zero-day vulnerability to infect the targeted system and spread to other systems. The virus primaril
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CryptoLocker Ransomware AttackRansomware is a malicious malware code specifically designed to deny users access to their own systems until a ransom payment is paid to the ransomware creator to obtain a decryption key. Far more dangerous than normal malware, ransomware is spread through phishing emails with malicious files, links
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Storm WormIn this article we will know about the one of biggest malware attacks in 2007, It actually brings a change to the world of cyber security, It is known as Storm Worm. Storm Worm:Storm Worm in technical terms is a trojan horse that pretends itself to be a legit program. This malware is so dangerous th
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What is Zeus Malware?Malware is a malicious program designed to gain access to a computer system without the user's permission. Malware includes various types of unwanted programs such as computer viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, etc.You’re browsing the internet, and suddenly your computer starts acting str
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What is SQL Slammer Virus?The SQL Slammer is a computer virus that began in January 2003 and caused a denial of service on some Internet hosts, significantly slowing general Internet traffic. It spread rapidly and within 10 minutes he infected most of his 75,000 victims. Although the program is called the “SQL Slammer Wormâ€,
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How to Install Trojan Virus on Any Computer?A Trojan virus, or Trojan malware, is actually malicious code or software that looks legitimate to the victim but can take full control over the victim's computer. It is designed to steal, manipulate, disrupt, damage, or do some other destructive action on your data, network, and computer system. It
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Different Ways to Remove Trojan Horse MalwareA Trojan virus, or Trojan malware, is actually malicious code or software that looks legitimate to the victim but can take full control over the victim's computer. It is designed to steal, manipulate, disrupt, damage, or do some other destructive action on your data, network, and computer system. Ma
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How to Defend Against Botnets ?A botnet is a network of computers or devices that have been compromised and are controlled by an attacker, without the knowledge of the owners. These devices, once infected with malware, are controlled by the attacker to carry out activities, such as sending spam emails, launching distributed denia
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What is Proxy Trojan?A proxy Trojan is a type of computer virus that disguises itself as something else, such as a harmless file or website. When a user accesses it, the proxy Trojan hijacks their browser and sends the user to bogus websites or downloads malicious files. Proxy Trojans can be used in two ways: for steali
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What are Banking Trojans?A banking Trojan is a piece of malware that is used primarily to steal banking credentials by remotely installing malicious software on a victim's computer system. Banking Trojans are tailored to specific types of computers and may use the Windows registry for installation. On the infected computer,
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What is a Computer Virus?A computer virus is a type of malicious software program ("malware") that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected". Viruses can spread to other computers and files
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Virus HoaxVirus hoaxes are warning messages of viruses that are distributed via pop-ups, emails, and spam messages, the main objective of the virus hoax is to create fear and doubts in the user's mind. When the user panics, they usually fall into the trap of a virus hoax and get infected with phishing or rans
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Difference between Worms and VirusTwo of the most common and often misunderstood types of malware are worms and viruses. Although they are sometimes confused with each other, they function in different ways. Both can cause serious damage to computers or compromise personal data. Understanding the differences between them is importan
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Port Scanning AttackPrerequisite: What is scanning attacks? Cyber-Attackers use various different methods to carry out the execution of Cyber-Attacks on the computer network, depending on the ease through which the computer network can be attacked on its vulnerability. Each type of Cyber-Attack is risky and harmful in
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What is System Integrity Check?A system integrity check is a part of the system hardening process to confirm that we have taken all the necessary measures to prevent any unauthorized access to our systems and files. System integrity check verifies the integrity of different system components, such as operating systems, applicatio
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Code Emulation Technique For Computer Virus DetectionCode emulation is a technique for detecting technical events that are attributable to computer viruses. The technique is used in antivirus software and in intrusion detection systems. It compares an executable file or memory dump from one system with an archival copy of the same that has been saved
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Heuristic VirusA heuristic virus is a type of computer virus that replicates by guessing. It does this by analyzing what it perceives as the user's behavior and creating an infection that tries to mirror it. The aim of viruses like these is to make the user feel as if their data are being collected, so they could
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How to Prevent Backdoor Attacks?Cyber security or security of the web deals with the security mechanism of the cyber world. Cyber security is extremely necessary as it is important that computer networks have strong cyber security mechanisms set up to prevent any form of attack that may lead to compromise of computer network secur
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Sniffing
What are Active Sniffing Attacks?Active Sniffing Attacks in Ethical Hacking can lead to using the intercepted data for malicious purposes. The most common use of sniffing is to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. Sniffers are software programs that let you intercept network traffic in a convert way witho
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What is Protocol Analyzer?The network protocol is a set of rules that regulates the communication and exchange of data over the internet or network. Both the sender and receiver should follow the same protocols in order to communicate and exchange the data. Whenever we access a website or exchange some data with another devi
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What is MAC Spoofing Attack?MAC Spoofing is a type of attack used to exploit flaws in the authentication mechanism implemented by wired and wireless networking hardware. In layman’s terms, MAC spoofing is when someone or something intercepts, manipulate or otherwise tampers with the control messages exchanged between a network
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How to Prevent MAC Flooding?A flood of MAC addresses is a serious concern for ethical hackers because it can leave your system vulnerable to attack. In order to prevent this from happening, consider some of the following precautions: Use secure passwords.Install and use antivirus software.Update your operating system on a regu
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What is Port Stealing?Cyber security is the security of the web and related services related to the web. Cyber security is the way to prevent many cyber attacks from taking place. Cyber security ensures that awareness of the cyber-attacks along with the different forms of cyber attacks are well-known to people so that th
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Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network protocol used to automate the process of assigning IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices (such as computers, smartphones and printers) on a network. Instead of manually configuring each device with an IP address, DHCP allo
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DHCP Starvation AttackDHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is used to assign IP addresses to machines within any network automatically. It is also known as zeroconf protocol, as network administrators don't need to assign IP addresses to machines manually. To assign IP addresses, DHCP makes use of DORA packets whic
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What is Rogue DHCP Server Attack?Rogue DHCP server attacks are gaining popularity but can be mitigated. The hacker sets up a rogue DHCP server and creates an IP address conflict by broadcasting a duplicate IP address. Hackers infiltrate a network by attacking the wireless router, which they do with ARP poisoning in order to inject
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What is ARP Spoofing Attack?Spoofing is a type of attack in which hackers gain access to the victim's system by gaining the trust of the victim (target user) to spread the malicious code of the malware and steal data such as passwords and PINs stored in the system.In Spoofing, psychologically manipulating the victim is the mai
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How to Prevent DNS Poisoning and Spoofing?The domain name system, or DNS, is a naming system for computers, services, and other internet resources that is hierarchical in nature. It's essentially the internet's phone book. Each domain name has a corresponding set of ten or so numbers that make up the domain name's IP address. Simple, user-f
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DNS Spoofing or DNS Cache poisoningPrerequisite - Domain Name Server Before Discussing DNS Spoofing, First, discuss what is DNS.A Domain Name System (DNS) converts a human-readable name (such as www.geeksforgeeks.org) to a numeric IP address. The DNS system responds to one or more IP-address by which your computer connects to a websi
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How to Detect Sniffer in Your Network?Sniffers are software or hardware devices that can be used for wiretapping over a computer network, such as LAN or WAN. They are used to collect data by listening and capturing IP packets. These devices usually have the ability of recording data which includes email, chat, web browsing, and informat
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Mitigation of DHCP Starvation AttackIn a DHCP starvation attack, an attacker creates spoofed DHCP requests with the goal of consuming all available IP addresses that a DHCP server can allocate. This attack targets DHCP servers. The attack could deny service to authorized network users. In other words, a malicious cyberattack that targ
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Social Engineering
What is Social Engineering? Working, Types, Prevention and ImpactSocial Engineering is an umbrella term for multiple malicious activities done by cyber criminals over the internet through human interaction. It doesn't involve the use of technical hacking techniques. Attackers use psychology and manipulation to trick users into performing actions that could compro
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What is Insider Attack?Cyber attacks on organizations are increasing both in number and magnitude. Often carried out by attackers with intentions to harm an organization, gain financial benefits, pursue political motives, spread terror, etc., these attacks always cost organizations in one form or another. Cyber security i
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What is an Impersonation Attack?An impersonation attack is a threat where hackers impersonate trusted people or organizations—such as your boss, bank, or a well-known service used by companies, to the trick victims so that they can give sensitive information, funds, or access to systems. Unlike classical malware-based attacks (e.g
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What are Tailgating?Tailgating is a term that refers to the practice of parking along the side of a road, usually by an open field or parking lot. Tailgaters are not only prohibited from entering the highway itself, but also have no right to drive on it at all. The term “tailgater†comes from tail-end Charlie, which me
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How Hackers Use Social Engineering to Get Passwords on Facebook?Social engineering is a powerful method for hackers to exploit computer systems without the use of malware or computer hacking tools. To carry out a successful social engineering hack, ethical hackers need to understand how to effectively use social media and human interaction to obtain sensitive in
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Pretexting in Social EngineeringPretexting is a social engineering technique that's used by hackers, spammers, and pranksters to assume and exploit the trust of an individual. It's been defined as the act of taking on an identity (usually those of a trusted person, such as a customer service representative) for the purpose of gain
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Credit Card FraudsThis era belongs to technology where technology becomes a basic part of our lives whether in business or home which requires connectivity with the internet and it is a big challenge to secure these units from being a sufferer of cyber-crime. Wireless credit card processing is a tremendously new serv
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Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED)A proactive tactic called Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) is used to lessen the risk of being the target of social engineers. We must first comprehend social engineering in order better to comprehend active social engineering defense (ASED). Social Engineering Attack:Without the use of malw
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Cyber Crime - Identity TheftIdentity Theft also called Identity Fraud is a crime that is being committed by a huge number nowadays. Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. This theft is committed in many ways by gathering personal information such as transactional information of an
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Penetration Testing - Software EngineeringPenetration testing, or pen testing, is a practice where a simulated cyber attack is conducted on your computer systems to find and fix any weak spots before real attackers can exploit them. It focuses on web application security, where testers try to breach parts like APIs and servers to uncover vu
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Denial-of-Service
Distributed Denial of Service DDoS attackImagine a scenario where you are visiting some websites and one of them seems to be a little slow. You might blame their servers for improving their scalability as they might be experiencing a lot of user traffic on their site. Most of the sites already take this issue into account beforehand. Chanc
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What are Bandwidth Attacks?Bandwidth attacks in ethical hacking target a network's bandwidth, and by extension, its available computing resources. A hacker can overload a network by sending a high number of packets to the computer or server at once. The processing power and memory in the system is limited and once it reaches
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HTTP Flood AttackCyber crimes are increasing with the growing demand for the internet. With an increasing number of cybercrime cases reported each year, awareness of cyberattacks is very important. Cyber crimes/cyberattacks are done by hackers who unethically want to breach user data and steal sensitive information
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ICMP Flood DDoS AttackIn today's world, Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become a major threat to present computer networks. DDoS is a kind of attack in which an attacker targets the victim's network resources such as bandwidth or memory so that the victim may stop responding
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Ping Flood AttackA Ping Flood Attack, or ICMP Attack (Internet Control Message Protocol Attack), is a type of offensive cyberattack utilized to attack the targeted device—computer, server, or network—with a flood of false requests. It is a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, as it is intended to disrupt normal operation
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What is a Permanent DoS (PDoS) Attack?In today's modern world, we often come across the term Cybercrime or Cyberattacks very frequently. With the increasing demand for the internet, cybercrime occurrence has taken a great spike. Cyber crimes are crimes involving cyber technology/computer networks. Cyberattacks are extremely dangerous as
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What is Phlashing?Phlashing is a type of Denial of Service (DoS) Attack, also known as a Permanent Denial of Service Attack (PDoS) which is very severe because there is no way to undo this attack's consequences as it damages/corrupts the system to such an extreme level that there is no other way except to replace or
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