How to Start Hacking with Kali Linux

Kali Linux (formerly known as BackTrack) has become the go-to operating system for hackers and IT specialists since its release in 2011. But with its popularity rising amongst beginners and more casual users, one question often comes up—how do you actually start hacking with Kali? It’s not as simple as just downloading the OS and jumping into the deep end of the pool; there are some basics you need to know before you can even start thinking about hacking, let alone successfully pull it off.


What is a Vulnerability?

A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, often software or hardware, that can be exploited by hackers. Hackers try to find vulnerabilities so they can access your computer and steal information (such as passwords or credit card numbers) or use your computer for malicious purposes like sending spam or launching attacks on other systems. The information security industry refers to vulnerabilities as threats but these threats generally fall into one of three categories: exploitable software bugs (bugs), configuration issues, and misconfigurations.


PenTesting vs Hacking

Penetration testing and hacking are two different skill sets. Penetration testing is aimed at companies that want to know what a black hat hacker can do, so they can fix their security vulnerabilities. Hackers often use similar tools and techniques in their jobs, but they’re not hired for it—they take advantage of security flaws for personal gain. To hack, you don’t need to learn penetration testing: you need programming knowledge and a bit of practice.


Bug Bounty Programs

In recent years, a number of companies have launched bug bounty programs. The premise is simple: by dangling money in front of their target audience, these companies hope that white hat hackers will come up with ways to break through their system and expose any weaknesses for them. The only caveat? These bugs can’t be used for malicious purposes. For many hackers, it’s a worthwhile trade-off; either way, you get free money.


Common Vulnerabilities

The way you find vulnerabilities in a piece of software is by doing what’s called a vulnerability scan. A vulnerability scan is simply an attempt to exploit software as though it were a black hat hacker trying to break into your system. There are tools that allow you to do these scans and they will often return information on how vulnerable certain systems are.


Finding an Unpatched Vulnerability

The best way to start hacking is to find an unpatched vulnerability. Attackers are always on their toes looking for ways in. Fortunately, if you search online, you can find lots of vulnerabilities that haven’t been patched yet. Here are some places where you can look


Fixing the Vulnerability

It’s not enough to just have a firewall—the firewall needs its own defences. Hackers will find their way through your firewall, but they don’t want to be identified so they do it quietly. By installing and configuring various IDS (intrusion detection system) programs, you can detect incoming attacks on your network and take corrective action. The following are some examples of IDS tools: Snort: A snort is an open-source tool for intrusion detection and prevention.


Reporting it to the Company

If you’re really worried about your privacy and security, then you might consider reporting a hack right away. This means filing a report with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and following up to see if they’ve worked on patching whatever vulnerability is being exploited. It also means contacting your service provider or application developer as soon as possible to get an understanding of how widespread any vulnerability is and whether it can be patched.


Finishing Words

So what do you think about starting a new job in IT? Are you excited and can’t wait for all of your upcoming learning opportunities, or are you nervous and don’t know where to start? Let us know. We love hearing from our readers, so please leave us a comment below!

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