Pentesting, or penetration testing, is the process of evaluating the security of a computer system or network by simulating an attack from a malicious hacker. A pentesting distribution, also known as a “pen-testing distro,” is a specialized version of a Linux operating system that is pre-configured with a variety of tools and scripts that can be used to perform various types of security assessments.
Creating your own pentesting distribution can be a great way to customize the tools and scripts that you use for your specific needs and to have a consistent and portable environment for your pentesting tasks. In this article, we will walk through the steps of creating your own pentesting distribution.
Step 1: Choose a Base Distribution
The first step in creating your own pentesting distribution is to choose a base distribution that you will use as the foundation for your pentesting distro. There are many different Linux distributions that can be used, but some popular choices include Ubuntu, Debian, and Kali Linux.
Kali Linux is a Debian-based distribution that is specifically designed for penetration testing and digital forensics. It comes pre-installed with a wide variety of security tools and is a popular choice for many pentesters. However, if you are looking for a more lightweight distribution or one with a different set of tools, you may want to consider using a different distribution as your base.
Step 2: Install the Required Tools
Once you have chosen your base distribution, the next step is to install the tools that you will need for your pentesting tasks. This will vary depending on the specific types of assessments that you will be performing, but some common tools include:
- Nmap: a network mapping tool that can be used to discover hosts and services on a network
- Metasploit: a framework for developing and executing exploit code
- Wireshark: a network protocol analyzer that can be used to capture and analyze network traffic
- Aircrack-ng: a suite of tools for wireless network security assessments
- Maltego: a data mining tool that can be used to identify relationships between different entities on a network
You can install these tools using the package manager of your base distribution. For example, in Kali Linux, you can use the apt-get command to install the tools.
Step 3: Configure the Distribution
Once you have installed the required tools, the next step is to configure your pentesting distribution. This can include customizing the settings and preferences for the tools, as well as adding any scripts or custom configurations that you need.
One important configuration step is setting up the SSH server, so you can access the system remotely. You can also add scripts or custom configurations to automate tasks, such as setting up a specific network configuration or launching a particular tool with specific options.
Step 4: Create a Bootable USB
The final step is to create a bootable USB drive that you can use to boot your pentesting distribution on other computers. This can be done using a tool like UNetbootin, which can be used to create a bootable USB drive from an ISO image of your distribution.
Once you have created the bootable USB drive, you can use it to boot your pentesting distribution on other computers, allowing you to perform pentesting tasks from a consistent and portable environment.
Books for Pentester
There are many books available that cover the topic of pentesting and related security topics. Here are a few highly recommended books for those interested in learning more about pentesting:
- “The Hacker Playbook 2: Practical Guide To Penetration Testing” by Peter Kim – buy now
- “Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking” by Georgia Weidman – buy now
- “Black Hat Python: Python Programming for Hackers and Pentesters” by Justin Seitz – buy now
- “Metasploit: The Penetration Tester’s Guide” by David Kennedy, Jim O’Gorman, Devon Kearns, and Mati Aharoni – buy now
- “The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook: Finding and Exploiting Security Flaws” by Dafydd Stuttard and Marcus Pinto- buy now
- “Hacking: The Art of Exploitation” by Jon Erickson – buy now
- “Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software” by Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig – buy now
These books cover a wide range of topics and provide a solid foundation for learning about pentesting and related security topics. It’s important to note that pentesting and hacking should only be done with permission from the owner of the system, it is illegal to do it without permission.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating your own pentesting distribution can be a great way to customize the tools and scripts that you use for your specific needs, and to have a consistent and portable environment for your pentesting tasks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a powerful and effective pentesting distribution that will help you to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. Remember to choose a base distribution, install the required tools, configure the distribution, and create a bootable USB drive. With the right tools and a little bit of effort, you can create a powerful and effective pentesting distribution that will help you to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems and networks.
