BlackArch
BlackArch is an Arch Linux-based penetration testing distribution for ethical hackers and security researchers. It comes with over 2,000 tools preinstalled for tasks like reconnaissance, exploitation, password attacks, forensics, reverse engineering, and more.
penetration-testing
ethical-hacking
security-auditing
vulnerability-assessment
exploitation-tools
BlackArch: Arch Linux-based Penetration Testing Distribution
BlackArch is an Arch Linux-based penetration testing distribution for ethical hackers and security researchers. It comes with over 2,000 tools preinstalled for tasks like reconnaissance, exploitation, password attacks, forensics, reverse engineering, and more.
What is BlackArch?
BlackArch is an Arch Linux-based penetration testing distribution designed for security professionals and ethical hackers. It comes preinstalled with over 2,000 tools useful for tasks like:
- Reconnaissance - Mapping out networks, identifying open ports/services, banner grabbing, OS fingerprinting etc.
- Exploitation - Finding and using vulnerabilities and misconfigurations to gain access
- Password attacks - Cracking password hashes using brute force, dictionary, rainbow tables etc.
- Forensics - Analyzing disk images, memory, network traffic for artifacts
- Reverse engineering - Disassembling binaries, analyzing malware source code etc.
- And more... including hardware hacking, social engineering toolkits, radio frequency analysis, web application analysis tools
As an Arch-based distro, BlackArch is rolling release and always up-to-date with latest package versions. The tools are organized into categories for easy access. It's heavily geared towards penetration testers, security consultants, security researchers, and ethical hackers looking for an extensive toolbox of testing tools.
BlackArch Features
Features
- Over 2,000 penetration testing tools preinstalled
- Based on Arch Linux, providing access to Arch User Repository (AUR)
- Frequent tool updates from GitHub repository
- Support for multiple hardware architectures
- Custom kernel with security patches and extra features
- Stealth options to hide open ports and system fingerprints
- Variety of preconfigured WM/DE environments
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Huge collection of hacking tools out of the box
Rolling release model provides latest tool versions
Active development and maintenance
Flexibility of Arch Linux base
Works on multiple hardware platforms
Cons
Manual install process more complex than Ubuntu/Debian distros
Need familiarity with Linux and penetration testing
No commercially supported options
Less beginner-friendly than Kali Linux
Official Links
The Best BlackArch Alternatives
Top Security & Privacy and Penetration Testing and other similar apps like BlackArch
Here are some alternatives to BlackArch:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Kali Linux
Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed specifically for penetration testing, ethical hacking, network security assessments, and digital forensics applications. It is maintained and funded by Offensive Security, an information security training company.Some key features of Kali Linux include:Comes preinstalled with hundreds of tools for penetration testing like Nmap,...
Cado Live
Cado Live is a user-friendly, cloud-based digital signage software solution that makes it easy for businesses to create, manage, and distribute engaging digital signage content. It allows users to design signage with drag-and-drop editors and pre-made templates, schedule content to play at specific times or in loops, and publish it...
BackBox Linux
BackBox Linux is a Debian-based distribution developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. It focuses specifically on security analysis and vulnerability testing of networks and computer systems.Some key features of BackBox Linux:Comes preinstalled with hundreds of useful penetration testing and hacking tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, nmap, SQLMap, and more.Lightweight...
Matriux
Matriux is an open-source decentralized platform built using peer-to-peer technology. Its goal is to enable communities and networks to communicate and collaborate freely without the risk of censorship.Some key features of Matriux include encrypted messaging, forums, media sharing, commerce and payments. It uses advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure privacy and...
Parrot Security OS
Parrot Security OS is a Debian-based Linux distribution that is specifically designed for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, IT security experts, and penetration testers. It comes preinstalled with over 300 popular open source security and penetration testing tools to aid in tasks like vulnerability assessment, forensic analysis, social engineering assessments, intrusion...
Cyborg Linux
Cyborg Linux is a Linux distribution focused on privacy, anonymity, and security for everyday computing. Based on Arch Linux, it uses advanced hardening techniques to protect against surveillance and intrusions.Some key features of Cyborg Linux include:Encryption of disk, network traffic, and communication channelsAnonymizing TOR/I2P integration for anonymous internet accessHardened kernel...
Wifislax
Wifislax is a Slackware-based Linux distribution that is specifically designed for wireless network auditing and penetration testing. It comes preinstalled with a wide range of tools used for network discovery, password cracking, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, forensics, and more.Some of the key features and tools in Wifislax include:Aircrack-ng suite for WiFi...
Dracos Linux
Dracos Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution developed by Dracos Linux that aims to provide a secure, easy-to-use desktop operating system. Some key features of Dracos Linux include:Uses the lightweight and customizable Xfce desktop environment by default.Focuses on stability and reliability, builds on the solid Debian core.Easy graphical software installation...
Android Tamer
Android Tamer is a virtual machine image designed specifically for Android security testing and research. It includes a set of vulnerable Android applications, as well as an Android operating system image with misconfigurations and weaknesses built-in.Some of the key features of Android Tamer include:Over 30 vulnerable Android apps covering major...
ArchStrike
ArchStrike is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux that is specifically designed for cybersecurity professionals and penetration testers. It comes preinstalled with many useful hacking and security tools to make it easy for users to start testing and hacking straight away without having to manually install everything.Some of the...
BlackBuntu
BlackBuntu is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution that is tailored for penetration testing and ethical hacking. It comes preinstalled with many popular open source hacking tools and aims to provide an out-of-the-box platform for security professionals to test the security of networks and systems.Some key features of BlackBuntu include:Based on Ubuntu,...
Caine
Caine is a specialized Linux distribution focused on digital forensics and penetration testing. It is based on Ubuntu and comes preloaded with hundreds of tools useful for forensic investigators, security professionals, IT auditors, and hackers.Some of the main features of Caine include:A huge selection of forensics tools like Autopsy, Sleuth...
Bugtraq
Bugtraq is a complete defect tracking and bug tracking system used by software development and quality assurance teams to manage issues in software products throughout the development lifecycle. It provides capabilities to:Log defects, bugs, and enhancement requestsPrioritize issues based on severity, complexity, and other factorsAssign issues to developers and team...
Wifiway
Wifiway is a robust WiFi management platform designed specifically for businesses and organizations. It gives IT administrators a centralized interface to set up, monitor, and manage multiple wireless access points across multiple locations.Key features of Wifiway include:Centralized dashboard to view all access points, clients, usage statistics, and moreGuest WiFi access...
GnackTrack
GnackTrack is an open-source, self-hosted web application for issue tracking and project management. It allows software development teams to track bugs, tasks, features, and other work items throughout the development process.Some key features of GnackTrack include:Customizable Kanban boards to visualize work and map out development workflowsPowerful search and filtering to...
