🧰 Essential Tools & Software for Beginner Penetration Testers
1. Virtualization Software
Utilize virtualization platforms to create isolated environments for testing:
- VirtualBox: A free and open-source option.Click here>>
- VMware Workstation Player: Offers a user-friendly interface for beginners.Click here>>
2. Penetration Testing Operating Systems
These specialized Linux distributions come pre-installed with a suite of security tools:
- Kali Linux: Widely used for penetration testing and ethical hacking.
- Parrot Security OS: Focuses on security and privacy.
- BackBox: Ubuntu-based, designed for security assessments.
- You can read more in there: Click here>>
3. Vulnerable Target Machines
Practice exploiting known vulnerabilities in these intentionally insecure systems:
- Metasploitable: A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Click here>>
- Metasploitable3: A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Click here>>
- DVWA: Damn Vulnerable Web Application (PHP/MySQL web app).Click here>>
- OWASP BWA: A collection of vulnerable web apps.Click here>>
- AetherLabs (32bit) : A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Virtual box linkClick here>>
- AetherLabs (32bit) : A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.VMWare linkClick here>>
- AetherLabs (64bit) : A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Virtual box linkClick here>>
- AetherLabs (64bit) : A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.VMWare linkClick here>>
- PentesterLab: A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Click here>>
- So SIMPLE Labs: A vulnerable Linux virtual machine.Click here>>
4. Networking Tools
Essential for scanning and analyzing networks:
- Nmap: Network discovery and security auditing.Click here>>
- Wireshark: Network protocol analyzer.Click here>>
- Burp Suite: Web vulnerability scanner.Click here>>
- Metasploit Framework: Develop and execute exploit code.Click here>>
🧪 Setting Up Your Penetration Testing Lab
- Install Virtualization Software: Download and install VirtualBox or VMware on your host machine.
- Set Up Virtual Machines:
- Kali Linux: Install as your attacker machine.
- Target Machines: Set up Metasploitable, DVWA, or OWASP BWA.
- Configure Networking: Use internal/host-only adapters for isolation.
- Snapshot Your VMs: Revert easily before each test.
- Document Your Activities: Keep detailed logs of your testing procedures.
📚 Additional Resources
💻 Hackingbooks Resources
- PDF coffee: Visit
- Computer Tutorials: Visit
- InfoBooks: Visit
- Hackly: Visit
- OSSU/Computer Science: Visit
- Gurdian Of The Truth(Telegram Channel): Visit