Parrot Security OS
Parrot Security OS is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed for cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and penetration testers. It comes preinstalled with over 300 security and penetration testing tools to aid in tasks like vulnerability assessment, forensic analysis,
ethical-hacking
vulnerability-assessment
forensic-analysis
social-engineering
Parrot Security OS: Debian-based Linux for Cybersecurity Professionals
A Debian-based Linux distribution with over 300 security tools for vulnerability assessment, forensic analysis, social engineering, and more.
What is 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 detection, malware analysis, and more.
Some of the key features and tools include:
- Lightweight and optimized for security assessments
- Frequent updates and security patches
- Tools for information gathering, vulnerability scanning, exploitation, reverse engineering, RFID analysis, stress testing networks and web applications, and more
- Support for multiple hardware architectures like 32-bit, 64-bit, ARM, and others
- Based on Debian's reliable and large software repository for installing additional software easily
- Mimics an attacker's toolkit for authorized penetration testing and red teaming
Parrot Security OS aims to provide an all-in-one toolkit right out of the box for various cybersecurity tasks, reducing the effort to separately install and configure hundreds of penetration testing and security analysis tools. Its hardened kernel aims to offer improved performance compared to a base Debian install. It also offers multiple hardware architecture images and frequent updates to stay on top of latest exploits and vulnerabilities.
Parrot Security OS Features
Features
- Preinstalled with over 300 security and penetration testing tools
- Based on Debian Linux distribution
- Includes tools for vulnerability assessment, forensic analysis, social engineering, etc
- Lightweight and optimized for security
- Automatic updates for tools and the OS
- Support for multiple hardware architectures
- Custom kernel patched for security
- Full disk encryption support
- Anonymity and privacy features
- Customizable desktop environment
Pricing
- Open Source
- Free
Pros
Huge collection of preinstalled security tools
Frequent updates and active development
Optimized for pentesting and ethical hacking
Lightweight and fast
Anonymity and privacy features
Support for multiple hardware platforms
Easy to use for beginners
Completely free and open source
Cons
May not be as stable as some other distros
Requires some Linux knowledge to use effectively
Not many general purpose applications
Targeted at a niche audience
Some tools may require additional configuration
Official Links
The Best Parrot Security OS Alternatives
Top Security & Privacy and Penetration Testing and other similar apps like Parrot Security OS
Here are some alternatives to Parrot Security OS:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest version of the Windows operating system released by Microsoft in 2021 as the successor to Windows 10. It introduces several visual changes including rounded corners, a new centered Start menu and taskbar, and revised app icons using soft pastel colors and the Fluent Design system.Under...
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,...
Qubes OS
Qubes OS is a security-oriented open source operating system for personal computers that focuses on compartmentalization and isolation to increase security. It utilizes Xen-based virtualization to allow the user to compartmentalize different applications and data into isolated compartments called qubes.Some key features of Qubes OS include:Color-coded qubes for easy visual...
Knoppix
Knoppix is an operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux and optimized to run directly from CDs or DVDs. Unlike other Linux distributions, Knoppix does not need to be installed on a hard disk drive and can be used to test hardware, rescue data from failed systems, and more.Some key features...
Whonix
Whonix is an open-source desktop operating system based on Linux that is designed for advanced online privacy and anonymity. It works by routing all internet traffic through the Tor network, which encrypts traffic and bounces it through relays to hide a user's IP address and location.Some key features of Whonix...
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...
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 accessPassword attacks -...
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...
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...
IprediaOS
IprediaOS is a Debian-based Linux distribution created by a group of cryptography and privacy enthusiasts. Its main focus is on providing users with a high level of privacy, security and anonymity while using the internet.Some key features of IprediaOS include:All internet traffic is routed through the I2P anonymous network by...
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...
Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an officially recognized flavor of the Ubuntu Linux distribution that features the KDE Plasma desktop environment instead of Ubuntu's default GNOME desktop. Kubuntu provides a user-friendly, customizable, and visually appealing desktop experience powered by the latest KDE Plasma technologies.Some key features and characteristics of Kubuntu include:Uses the lightweight...
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...
Linux Lite
Linux Lite is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu LTS releases. It uses the lightweight Xfce desktop environment and is optimized to run smoothly on older, less powerful hardware while still providing a functional and user-friendly experience.Some key features of Linux Lite include:Easy to install - comes with a simple...
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...
Privatix Live-System
Privatix Live-System is a Debian-based Linux distribution that focuses on privacy and security. It is designed to run directly from a USB flash drive, without needing to install anything on the host computer's hard drive.Some key features of Privatix Live-System include:Boots into a secure, encrypted Linux environment with tools like...
