What is Kali Linux? Features and Usage Areas

May 26, 2024
Kali Linux Nedir? Siber Güvenlik Uzmanları İçin Detaylı Rehber

One night, while everyone is sleeping, something goes wrong with your computer.

All your files are locked and a ransom note has appeared on the screen.

Do you have the right tools and knowledge to solve this? That’s where Kali Linux comes in—one of the most popular distributions with cybersecurity toolkits, a powerful platform designed to analyze cyber threats and find weak points.

So, what is Kali Linux?

Definition of Kali Linux

Kali Linux is an open source operating system based on Debian. It offers a variety of tools for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers and penetration testing (pentest) specialists.

These tools are used to evaluate network security, perform vulnerability scans, and perform forensic information analysis. A successful penetration testing practice is important to increase the security levels of systems.

Kali is the most comprehensive platform that can be used for ”offensive security“ and ”confirmatory security”.

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What is Kali?

Kali Linux is an operating system that is highly customized and full of pre-installed security tools. It is widely accepted among cyber security experts.

Based on Debian, this operating system provides an excellent platform for scanning and analyzing the latest vulnerabilities. In this way, you can make your systems more secure by thinking like attackers.

The creators of Kali are a training and certification company called Offensive Security.

One of the most obvious advantages of Kali Linux is its extensive community support and constantly updated software packages. This guarantees that users are constantly provided with new tools and the most up to date security information. This operating system, which has acquired a solid name in the cyber security world, is also often used for educational purposes.

What are the Features?

Kali Linux attracts attention with its comprehensive toolkit and customizable structure. Thanks to the tools offered by the system, cyber security experts can make effective analyses.

Since 2016, Kali Linux also has versions available on the mobile platform, such as NetHunter. This feature is very useful for field studies and mobile device analysis.

Another noteworthy feature of Kali Linux is that it has a wide range of protocols and services. For example, it is equipped with network analysis tools, penetration testing tools and reverse engineering tools.

To get information about the uses of popular security tools such as Nessus What is Nessus and How Does It Work? you can review our article.

The system offers a fully customizable environment to the user. With terminal-based commands and scripts, you can control every aspect of the system and make personalization.

Also, be prepared for the latest security threats with constantly updated software packages.

Installation and Start-up

The installation process of Kali Linux is carried out using various methods. The installation of the system is quite simple by downloading the ISO file from the official website and creating a boot media. If you want to run on a virtual machine, you can choose platforms such as VMware or VirtualBox.

After installing Kali Linux, update the system to start using the basic tools. Run sudo apt update and sudo apt install <araç_adı> from the terminal to update and install the tools.

For those who want to switch to advanced topics such as SOC specialization after the installation of Kali Linux Cyber Defense – SOC Expertise we recommend our course.

Installation Steps

There are some important points that you should pay attention to when installing Kali Linux. You can complete the installation process safely and successfully by following the steps below.

  • Downloading the ISO file: Formal Kali Linux website download the most up-to-date ISO file from it.
  • Preparation of the boot media: Burn the downloaded ISO file to a USB memory stick or DVD. For this operation Rufus or Etcher you can use such tools.
  • BIOS/UEFI settings: Change the boot order to use the media you have prepared by entering your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings.
  • Launching Kali Linux: Restart the computer and perform the startup process from the boot media.
  • Installation wizard: The installation wizard will appear before you. Here, scroll through the basic settings such as language, keyboard layout, and region.
  • Disk partitioning: Determine where you will install your system. You can continue with the default options or do a custom partitioning.
  • Loading of packages: The installation wizard will automatically download and install the required packages.

After completing these, the system will restart.

Provide access to the system with the user’s information that you created on the login screen.

By following these steps, you can install Kali Linux without any problems.

Basic Settings

After installing Kali Linux, it is important to make some basic settings to ensure optimal performance and security. These settings ensure that the system works correctly and that cyber security operations are carried out efficiently.

First, check the network settings with the commands ifconfig and ip a. These commands provide information about network cards and IP addresses.

To check if the system is up to date, run sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade. These commands ensure that the latest versions of packages are downloaded and installed.

Finally, another important setting to pay attention to is user permissions. sudo visudo command to ensure that only the necessary people have administrator privileges. Additionally, you can improve your system security by optimizing its settings or enabling security modules such as.

Areas of Use

Kali Linux is an important tool used by cyber security experts when conducting penetration tests, forensics and security research.

This platform comes with a wide range of pre-installed tools, including popular security software such as Wireshark, Metasploit and Aircrack-ng. It also performs well in critical tasks such as network analysis, detecting hacker attacks and vulnerability scanning.

For educational and learning purposes, Kali Linux provides an indispensable resource for cybersecurity students.

Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking is a legal and authorized penetration tests conducted to detect security vulnerabilities of systems.

  1. Planning: Determination of goals, scope and methodologies.
  2. Discovery: The information collection phase of the target system.
  3. Scanning: Detection of security vulnerabilities.
  4. Access: Providing access to the system by taking advantage of deficits.
  5. Comprehensive Testing: Detailed testing of the systems.
  6. Reporting: Documentation of the findings and solution proposals.This process helps you to effectively identify and troubleshoot security vulnerabilities of systems.Ethical hackers work by adhering to professional and legal boundaries, developing defense strategies against hacker attacks in this process.

Computer Forensics

Computer forensics is the process of detecting crimes that take place in a digital environment and collecting evidence. The methodologies used in the analysis of security incidents involve complex and rigorous studies.

Physical and digital evidence are of critical importance in forensic analysis. This evidence plays a major role in clarifying the incident.

Forensic analysis process includes the stages of copying, protection and examination of data. This process is carried out by forensic informatics specialists and requires great care.

Computer forensics plays a vital role, especially in the fight against cybercrime. It covers tasks such as responding to cyber attacks, detecting data breaches and documenting criminal activities.

Popular Vehicles

Kali Linux contains many tools that are widely used by cybersecurity professionals. These tools allow you to conduct comprehensive tests and analyses.

The most popular tools include Metasploit Framework, Nmap, Wireshark and John the Ripper. These tools are used for various tasks such as network scanning, password cracking and penetration testing.

In particular, “Metasploit” and “Nmap” are often used to detect vulnerabilities and check the defense level of systems.

Nmap

Nmap (Network Mapper) is an open-source tool used for network discovery and security auditing. It is often preferred by network administrators and cybersecurity professionals.

  1. Network Scanning: Scans all devices connected to a specific network and the properties of these devices.
  2. Port Scanning: Determines which ports are open in the target system and which they serve.
  3. OS Detection: Analyzes the operating system and versions of the target devices.
  4. Vulnerability Scanning: Detects security vulnerabilities and vulnerabilities.
  5. Network Mapping: Visualizes the overall structure of the network and its connections.Nmap can be run from the command line, as well as used with GUI-based tools, for example Zenmap.This tool is considered an essential component in penetration testing and security assessment processes.

Metasploit

Metasploit, is an open source penetration testing tool that is frequently used in the cybersecurity world. So, what makes Metasploit so effective?

Metasploit, developed by HD Moore in 2003, quickly became popular and became one of the indispensable for cybersecurity professionals. The Metasploit Framework is used to detect vulnerabilities, perform verification tests, and perform penetration tests.

Metasploit uses components called “exploits” and “payloads” to simulate attack scenarios. Exploits creates a specific entry point in the systems by targeting vulnerabilities, while payloads provides the desired access to the system from this entry point.

Thanks to the modular structure offered by Metasploit, it is constantly updated and expanded with thousands of existing vulnerability and exploitation modules. This allows security professionals to cope with even the most up to date threats and also functions as an important learning tool in the educational process.

By using Metasploit, you can improve your cyber security skills and gain practical experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kali Linux

What is Kali Linux and what is it useful for?

Kali Linux is a free and open source operating system. This platform, which is often used by cyber security experts, provides effective results in the fields of pen-testing and network security. Kali Linux attracts attention with a wide range of tools that come built-in on it. Nmap, Wireshark and Metasploit Framework popular tools such as allow users to perform security assessments in an in-depth and practical way. Thanks to these tools, operations such as penetration tests, network analysis and exploitation activities become easier.

What can be done with Kali?

Kali Linux provides comprehensive tools for cyber security operations such as penetration testing and network security reviews. In Its Content There are industry standard tools such as Metasploit, Nmap and Wireshark. With these tools, it is possible to make in-depth discoveries on networks and systems. Kali also, social engineering it also contains special tools for operations such as attacks and password cracking. In this way, you can examine the attack surfaces from a wide perspective. Forensic informatics and document recovery with such features, it can be provided to examine the events in the systems and access the records. This plays a critical role in lighting up computer crimes. Kali, which offers integrations for the identification, flagging and reporting of security vulnerabilities, enables cyber security experts to their efficiency increases.

How is Kali Linux different?

Kali Linux is a Linux distribution specifically designed for penetration testing and security research. Its standout feature is that it comes with pre-installed security tools. With over 600 pre-installed tools, Kali Linux offers a wide range of tools for penetration testing, network reconnaissance, forensic analysis and reverse engineering. These tools include popular software such as Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and more. In addition, Kali Linux’s repository management system, which is updated daily, ensures that you are always working with the most up-to-date and secure software. There is also a version for mobile devices called Kali NetHunter, which makes mobile penetration testing possible, giving security professionals extra flexibility.

What is Linux and what does it do?

It is a free and open source operating system. Linux is typically used on servers, desktops and embedded systems. With its kernel structure, it provides great flexibility to the user, thus offering a platform that can be customized on demand. Due to its security and stability, it also offers many advantages, especially among cyber security experts.

Faruk Ulutaş

Faruk Ulutaş, siber güvenlik alanında derinlemesine bir uzmanlıkla donanmış bir bilgisayar mühendisidir. Kapsamlı programlama diline hakimiyeti ve geniş tecrübesi ile çeşitli siber güvenlik projelerinde yer alıp başarılı sonuçlar elde etmiştir. Çeşitli hackathon, kodlama maratonları ve Capture The Flag (CTF) yarışmalarında, hem yurt içinde hem de yurt dışında, gösterdiği üstün performansla sıkça ön plana çıkmıştır. Ayrıca, küresel ölçekte faaliyet gösteren bazı büyük şirketlerin siber güvenlik sistemlerinde kritik güvenlik açıklıklarını başarıyla belirlemiştir. Üstlendiği projelerde kullanıcı güvenliğini sağlamak ve siber saldırılara karşı koymak için çözüm üretme konusunda büyük bir yetenek sergilemiştir. Ulutaş, CyberSkillsHub üzerindeki rolü ile birlikte, öğrencilere kendi deneyimlerini ve bilgilerini aktararak siber güvenlik konusunda yeteneklerini geliştirmelerine yardımcı olmayı hedeflemektedir.