As a professional penetration tester, or “pentester”, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest tools and techniques in the cybersecurity landscape. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most essential hacking tools for 2023, as listed by GBHackers, that every pentester should be familiar with.
1. Metasploit Unleashed: This free offensive security Metasploit course is a must-have for pentesters. It provides a comprehensive platform for testing network vulnerabilities and developing exploit code.
2. Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP): OWASP is a worldwide not-for-profit organization focused on improving the security of web-based and application-layer software. It provides a wealth of resources, including the OWASP Top Ten, which lists the most critical web application security risks.
3. Penetration Testing Framework (PTF): This framework outlines the process for performing penetration tests, making it a valuable resource for both vulnerability analysts and penetration testers.
4. Shellcode Tutorial and Shellcode Examples: These resources are essential for learning how to write and understand shellcode, a fundamental skill for exploit development.
5. OSINT Framework and Intel Techniques: These tools are crucial for open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering, which involves collecting information from publicly available sources to support a penetration test.
6. Security-related Operating Systems: Operating systems like Kali Linux, ArchStrike, and BlackArch are designed specifically for penetration testing and security research, providing pre-installed tools and utilities for pentesters.
7. Docker for Penetration Testing: Docker images like Kali Linux Docker, OWASP ZAP, and WPScan can be used to set up isolated and reproducible testing environments.
8. Metasploit, Faraday, and ExploitPack: These frameworks provide platforms for automating penetration tests and managing security assessments.
9. Vulnerability Scanners: Tools like Nexpose, Nessus, and OpenVAS are used to automatically detect vulnerabilities in networks and applications.
10. Web Scanners: Web scanners like Nikto, Arachni, and w3af are used to detect vulnerabilities in web applications.
11. Network Tools: Tools like nmap, zmap, and Wireshark are essential for network exploration and security audits.
12. Wireless Network Hacking Tools: Tools like Aircrack-ng, Kismet, and Reaver are used for auditing and attacking wireless networks.
13. Transport Layer Security Tools: Tools like SSLyze and tls_prober are used to analyze the configuration of TLS/SSL on servers.
14. Web Exploitation Tools: Tools like OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP), Burp Suite, and BeEF are used for testing the security of web applications.
15. Hash Cracking Tools: Tools like John the Ripper and Hashcat are used for cracking hashed passwords.
16. Windows Utilities: Tools like Sysinternals Suite, Windows Credentials Editor, and mimikatz are used for various tasks on Windows systems.
17. GNU/Linux Utilities: Linux Exploit Suggester is a tool that suggests potential exploits for a given GNU/Linux system.
18. Anonymity Tools: Tools like Tor and I2P are used for maintaining anonymity online.
19. Reverse Engineering Tools: Tools like Interactive Disassembler (IDA Pro), Radare2, and x64dbg are used for reverse engineering binary code.
20. Physical Access Tools: Tools like LAN Turtle are used for gaining physical access to networks.
In conclusion, the world of penetration testing is vast and constantly evolving. As a professional pentester, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest tools and techniques. The tools listed above represent just a fraction of what’s available, but they are among the most effective and widely used in the industry.
