11 Facts About Kali Linux: Explore The Less Known

Kali Linux Logo Icon (Credit: Toppng)

Most people consider Kali Linux as a tool used by hackers and cybersecurity professionals for ethical hacking, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing. However, this operating system is far more complex than it first appears and even though Kali Linux is well-known in the computer and cybersecurity sector, you might be surprised by its numerous undiscovered features and facts. Eleven amazing facts about Kali Linux that most people are unaware of will be revealed in this blog post article.

1. Kali Linux Was Originally Known as BackTrack: Kali Linux was called BackTrack before it became the standard tool for security audits and penetration tests. Since its 2006 establishment, BackTrack has been a favourite among cybersecurity experts because of its extensive collection of hacking tools. However, the need for a more contemporary, adaptable framework emerged as ethical hacking and security research continued to advance. Kali Linux formally overtook BackTrack in 2013 whereby with improved support for a wide range of tools, security improvements, and user-friendliness, Kali was intended to be more reliable, adaptable, and updated frequently. With Kali becoming the industry-standard platform for cybersecurity experts globally, the name change signalled a dramatic transformation in the penetration testing community.

2. Kali Linux Follows a Rolling Release Model: Kali Linux's rolling release model is one of its best qualities whereby it is regularly updated with new tools, features, and patches, in contrast to typical operating systems that need frequent significant updates or re-installations (like a new version of Windows or Ubuntu) which eliminates the requirement for users to reinstall the operating system each time a new version is made available. In order to keep the newest features and security patches available to you at all times, you just upgrade your system as needed. Professionals in cybersecurity who need to upgrade their systems with the newest security patches and penetration testing tools will find this method especially helpful because time and effort are saved, and Kali stays strong and relevant in the rapidly changing cybersecurity world.

3. Kali Linux Was Developed by Offensive Security: One of the top experts in the field of cybersecurity, Offensive Security, developed and maintains Kali Linux. The OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and other internationally recognised training and certifications are the symbols of Offensive Security. The design and functionality of Kali Linux reflect the decades of penetration testing knowledge of the people behind it, making it the go-to option for both newbies and experienced penetration testers because of Offensive Security's dedication to provide excellent, practical cybersecurity training and resources. Kali has developed into one of the most potent and reliable penetration testing distributions on the market today thanks to its strong knowledge base and practical experience.

4. Kali Linux Comes With Over 600 Pre-Installed Tools: The large collection of pre-installed tools that Kali Linux provides is one of the strongest arguments for its widespread adoption in the sense that Kali Linux comes with more than 600 tools pre-installed, making it ideal for penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, network analysis, and digital forensics.

   Among the most widely used tools are as follows:

   • Metasploit: A framework for creating and running exploit code on a target computer.

   • Wireshark: An analysis tool for network protocols.

   • Nmap: A tool for network mapping and security audits.

   • Burp Suite: A comprehensive toolkit for evaluating the security of web applications.

   For security experts, penetration testers, and ethical hackers, these and numerous additional technologies offer a full package.

5. Kali Linux Includes an Undercover Mode: Not everyone wants to showcase their Kali Linux utilisation, particularly if they are engaging in ethical hacking in settings where doing so would cause suspicion. Undercover Mode is a special feature of Kali Linux that lets you change your desktop's appearance to more closely mimic a standard Windows desktop. For penetration testers who must operate discretely in a formal environment, this functionality can be extremely helpful. In simple terms, it assists in avoiding unwanted attention when Kali is being used in settings where the use of a hacker operating system can be viewed as suspicious or invasive meaning that you can do your tasks in Undercover Mode without drawing unwanted attention to yourself.

6. Kali Linux Offers Live Persistence: The Live Persistence mode of Kali Linux is yet another noteworthy feature in the sense that because of this functionality, users can run Kali from a USB drive and keep all of their data, settings, and modifications across sessions. Thanks to the permanent storage configuration, you can restart Kali Linux and continue where you left off, even if you are operating it on a machine without it installed. Since it provides portability and consistency without erasing data or configuration settings, this functionality is extremely helpful for cybersecurity experts who must work on multiple computers. Additionally, users can audit and test systems while maintaining their customisations.

7. Kali Linux Uses Non-Root User Access by Default: The root user has long been the default administrator in many Linux distributions but on more recent modifications, Kali Linux changed its security procedures by making a non-root user the default login which lowers the risks involved in using the root user account and is consistent with best practices for system security. Kali Linux used to run as root by default in earlier versions, which could be dangerous if the system is compromised. Kali increases security by minimising the possible harm a harmful actor could do if they manage to get access to the system by using a non-root user by default which for both regular users and security experts, this setting is safer and more secure.

8. Kali Linux Integrates Full Disk Encryption: Kali Linux uses LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) to provide full disk encryption for users who are worried about data security and privacy because with the help of this tool, you may encrypt your entire hard drive, protecting your private information even in the event that your computer is stolen or lost. Full disk encryption guarantees that any sensitive data is shielded from unwanted access, regardless of whether you are using Kali for professional penetration testing or personal security research, therefore, anyone managing sensitive information or operating in high-risk cybersecurity scenarios needs this extra degree of protection.

9. Kali Linux is Cross-Platform Compatible: x86 and x64 computers are not the only ones that Kali Linux can run on. ARM is among the many different architectures that it supports, which implies that Kali can be used on a variety of gadgets, including Raspberry Pi, Odroid, and other ARM-based devices, in addition to typical desktop computers. Because of its cross-platform interoperability, Kali is a flexible tool that can be used on a variety of devices, including conventional workstations and tiny single-board computers, thus, for cybersecurity experts who wish to test devices on many platforms or run penetration testing scenarios on inexpensive hardware, this versatility is perfect.

10. Kali Linux Includes Tools For Dark Web Research: Kali Linux has tools for exploring the dark web in addition to being used for conventional penetration testing whereby users can reach the anonymous, hidden areas of the internet that are frequently utilised for illegal activity by using tools like Tor and I2P. For those working in digital forensics and investigative fields who must look into criminal activity, dark web markets, or cyberthreats, these tools can be quite helpful and because Kali is integrated with various tools, cybersecurity professionals may perform research and obtain intelligence anonymously.

11. Kali Linux Offers an ARM Image For Small Devices: Apart from being compatible with conventional desktop systems, Kali Linux offers a specific ARM image for devices with a compact form factor, such as the Raspberry Pi but since now that Kali Linux can run on these small, inexpensive computers, penetration testing on a range of low-cost, low-power devices has become possible for both cybersecurity experts and enthusiasts, making it a versatile solution for testing and teaching because it can run on a variety of small computers thanks to the ARM image. There are many options for practical learning and experimentation with Kali, whether you want to set up a home lab or use it for fieldwork.

Summary

Kali Linux is more than just an effective tool for ethical hacking and penetration testing. It has developed into a vital platform for cybersecurity experts due to its extensive feature and tool set. From its early days as BackTrack to its cutting-edge live persistence mode and special features like Undercover Mode, Kali Linux keeps developing and offering revolutionary tools for technological investigations and security audits, containing plenty to offer everyone, regardless of experience level as a penetration tester or level of inexperience.