The most advanced
Penetration Testing Distribution
Kali Linux is an open-source, Debian-based Linux distribution geared towards various information security tasks, such as Penetration Testing, Security Research, Computer Forensics and Reverse Engineering.
Kali Linux is not about its tools, nor the operating system. Kali Linux is a platform.
Make Your Job Easier
You can take any Linux and install pentesting tools on it, but you have to set the tools up manually and configure them. Kali is optimized to reduce the amount of work, so a professional can just sit down and go.
Kali Everywhere
A version of Kali is always close to you, no matter where you need it. Mobile devices, Containers, ARM, Cloud providers, Windows Subsystem for Linux, Pre-built Virtual Machine, Installer Images, and others are all available.
Customization
With the use of metapackages, optimized for the specific tasks of a security professional, and a highly accessible and well documented ISO customization process, it's always easy to generate an optimized version of Kali for your specific needs.
Documentation
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice, our documentation will have all the information you will need to know about Kali Linux. Multiple tips and “recipes” are available, to help ease doubts or address any issues. All documentation is open, so you can easily contribute.
Community
Kali Linux, with its BackTrack lineage, has a vibrant and active community. There are active Kali forums, IRC Channel, Kali Tools listings, an open bug tracker system, and even community provided tool suggestions.
All the tools you need
The Kali Linux penetration testing platform contains a vast array of tools and utilities. From information gathering to final reporting, Kali Linux enables security and IT professionals to assess the security of their systems.
Find out all about Kali's Tools
Undercover Mode
Using Kali in an environment where you don't want to draw attention to
yourself? Kali Undercover is the perfect way to not stand out in a
crowd.
Kali NetHunter
A mobile penetration testing platform for Android devices, based on
Kali Linux. Kali NetHunter is made up of an App, App Store, Kali
Container and KeX
Win-KeX
Win-KeX provides a full Kali Desktop Experience for Windows WSL.
Applications started via Kali's panel will share the desktop with
Microsoft Windows applications.
Cheap & low powered devices, which make for great leave behind devices. Modern ARM based laptops provide high speed with long battery life as an assessment platform.
Single or multiple boot Kali, giving you complete control over the hardware access (perfect for in-built WiFi and GPU), enabling the best performance.
Hosting providers which have Kali Linux pre-installed, ready to go, without worrying about looking after the infrastructure.
Using Docker or LXD, allows for extremely quick and easy access to all of Kali's tools, without the overhead of a isolated virtual machine.
A mobile penetration testing platform for Android devices, based on Kali Linux. Kali NetHunter consists of an NetHunter App, App Store, Kali Container, and KeX.
Kali in your pocket, ready to go with Live Boot. Your Kali, always with you, without altering the host OS, plus allows you to benefit from hardware access.
VMware & VirtualBox pre-built images ready to go. Allowing for a Kali install as bare as possible, with additional features such as snapshots, without altering the host OS. And we have vagrant images too.
WSL is included out of the box with modern Windows. You can then start to use Kali (and Win-Kex) without any installing any extra software.
Choose the desktop
you prefer
Xfce
Xfce is a lightweight desktop environment for UNIX-like operating
systems. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still
being visually appealing and user friendly.
Xfce consists of separately packaged parts that together provide all
functions of the desktop environment, but can be selected in subsets
to suit user needs and preferences. This is Kali's default desktop
environment.
GNOME Shell
Every part of GNOME Shell has been designed to make it simple and easy
to use. The Activities Overview is an easy way to access all your
basic tasks. A press of a button is all it takes to view your open
windows, launch applications, or check if you have new messages.
Having everything in one place is convenient and means that you don't
have to learn your way through a maze of different technologies.
KDE Plasma
Plasma is made to stay out of the way as it helps you get things done.
But under its light and intuitive surface, it's a powerhouse. So
you're free to choose ways of usage right as you need them and when
you need them.
With Plasma the user is king. Not happy with the color scheme? Change
it! Want to have your panel on the left edge of the screen? Move it!
Don't like the font? Use a different one! Download custom widgets in
one click and add them to your desktop or panel.
Wednesday 13th, March 2013, 10 years ago, Kali Linux v1.0 was first released. Today we want to celebrate Kali’s 10th anniversary! Time has flown. And gosh, a lot has changed since then! They grow up so fast! This is the story of how Kali came to be, and some of the challenges along the way.
29 March 2023
Today we are releasing Kali 2023.1 (and on our 10th anniversary)! It will be ready for immediate download or updating by the time you have finished reading this post. Given its our 10th anniversary, we are delighted to announce there are a few special things lined up to help celebrate. Stay tuned for a blog post coming out Wednesday 15th March 2023 12:00:00 UTC/+0 GMT for more information!
13 March 2023
One of the primary goals of Kali Linux is to put the tools you need as close to you as possible. Over the years this has resulted in a number of different ways to get Kali, but not everyone knows about all the options! In this post we are going to do an overview of different options you have for running Kali, and where you can go for more information for each option.
11 January 2023
Before the year is over, we thought it was best to get the final 2022 release out. Today we are publishing Kali Linux 2022.4. This is ready for immediate download or updating existing installations. A summary of the changelog since August’s 2022.3 release: Microsoft Azure - We are back on the Microsoft Azure store More Platforms - Generic Cloud, QEMU VM image
6 December 2022
AirCrack-ng
Burp Suite
Hydra
John
Metaspoit
Nmap