BackTrack

BackTrack is the result of the merging of two Innovative Penetration Testing live Linux distributions namely Whax and Auditor.

Combining the best features from both distributions, and paying special attention to small details, this is probably the best version of either distributions to ever come out.

Based on SLAX (Slackware), BackTrack provides user modularity. This means the distribution can be easily customised by the user to include personal scripts, additional tools, customised kernels, etc.

A full list of the tools in BackTrack are available now.

You can download BackTrack now.

Nmap 4.01

Nmap (“Network Mapper”) is a free open source utility for network exploration or security auditing. It was designed to rapidly scan large networks, although it works fine against single hosts. Nmap uses raw IP packets in novel ways to determine what hosts are available on the network, what services (application name and version) those hosts are offering, what operating systems (and OS versions) they are running, what type of packet filters/firewalls are in use, and dozens of other characteristics. Nmap runs on most types of computers and both console and graphical versions are available. Nmap is free and open source.

Things that we consider userful in the extensive announcement are:

• Added the ability for Nmap to send and properly route raw ethernet frames containing IP datagrams rather than always sending the packets via raw sockets. This is particularly useful for Windows, since Microsoft has disabled raw socket support in XP. Nmap tries to choose the best method at runtime based on platform, though you can override it with the new –send-eth and –send-ip options.
• Added ARP scanning (-PR). Nmap can now send raw ethernet ARP requests to determine whether hosts on a LAN are up, rather than relying on higher-level IP packets (which can only be sent after a successful ARP request and reply anyway). This is much faster and more reliable (not subject to IP-level firewalling) than IP-based probes. It is now used automatically for any hosts that are detected to be on a local ethernet network, unless –send-ip was specified.
• Overhauled UDP scan. Ports that don’t respond are now classified as “open|filtered” (open or filtered) rather than “open”. The (somewhat rare) ports that actually respond with a UDP packet to the empty probe are considered open. If version detection is requested, it will be performed on open|filtered ports. Any that respond to any of the UDP probes will have their status changed to open. This avoids the false-positive problem where filtered UDP ports appear to be open, leading to terrified newbies thinking their machine is infected by back orifice.
• Integrated tons of new OS detection fingerprints. The database grew more than 50% from 1,121 to 1,684 fingerprints. Notable additions include Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), OpenBSD 3.7, FreeBSD 5.4, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Sony AIBO (along with a new “robotic pet” device type category), the latest Linux 2.6 kernels, Cisco routers with IOS 12.4, a ton of VoIP devices, Tru64 UNIX 5.1B, new Fortinet firewalls, AIX 5.3, NetBSD 2.0, Nokia IPSO 3.8.X, and Solaris 10. Of course there are also tons of new broadband routers, printers, WAPs and pretty much any other device you can coax an ethernet cable (or wireless card) into!
  

There is also a completely new man page, you can view it online too.

Fyodor has also given an interview on the release on Nmap 4.

10 Best Security Live CD Distros (Pen-Test, Forensics & Recovery)

1. BackTrack

The newest contender on the block of course is BackTrack, which we have spoken about previously. An innovative merge between WHax and Auditor (WHax formely WHoppix).

BackTrack is the result of the merging of two Innovative Penetration Testing live Linux distributions Whax and Auditor, combining the best features from both distributions, and paying special attention to small details, this is probably the best version of either distributions to ever come out.

Based on SLAX (Slackware), BackTrack provides user modularity. This means the distribution can be easily customised by the user to include personal scripts, additional tools, customised kernels, etc.

Get BackTrack Here

2. Operator

Operator is a very fully featured LiveCD totally oriented around network security (with open source tools of course).

Operator is a complete Linux (Debian) distribution that runs from a single bootable CD and runs entirely in RAM. The Operator contains an extensive set of Open Source network security tools that can be used for monitoring and discovering networks. This virtually can turn any PC into a network security pen-testing device without having to install any software. Operator also contains a set of computer forensic and data recovery tools that can be used to assist you in data retrieval on the local system.

Get Operator Here

3. PHLAK

PHLAK or [P]rofessional [H]acker’s [L]inux [A]ssault [K]it is a modular live security Linux distribution (a.k.a LiveCD). PHLAK comes with two light gui’s (fluxbox and XFCE4), many security tools, and a spiral notebook full of security documentation. PHLAK is a derivative of Morphix, created by Alex de Landgraaf.

Mainly based around Penetration Testing, PHLAK is a must have for any pro hacker/pen-tester.

Get PHLAK Here (You can find a PHLAK Mirror Here as the page often seems be down).

4. Auditor

Auditor although now underway merging with WHax is still an excellent choice.

The Auditor security collection is a Live-System based on KNOPPIX. With no installation whatsoever, the analysis platform is started directly from the CD-Rom and is fully accessible within minutes. Independent of the hardware in use, the Auditor security collection offers a standardised working environment, so that the build-up of know-how and remote support is made easier.

Get Auditor Here

5. L.A.S Linux

L.A.S Linux or Local Area Security has been around quite some time aswell, although development has been a bit slow lately it’s still a useful CD to have. It has always aimed to fit on a MiniCD (180MB).

Local Area Security Linux is a ‘Live CD’ distribution with a strong emphasis on security tools and small footprint. We currently have 2 different versions of L.A.S. to fit two specific needs – MAIN and SECSERV. This project is released under the terms of GPL.

Get L.A.S Linux Here

6. Knoppix-STD

Horrible name I know! But it’s not a sexually trasmitted disease, trust me.

STD is a Linux-based Security Tool. Actually, it is a collection of hundreds if not thousands of open source security tools. It’s a Live Linux Distro, which means it runs from a bootable CD in memory without changing the native operating system of the host computer. Its sole purpose in life is to put as many security tools at your disposal with as slick an interface as it can.

Get Knoppix-STD Here

7. Helix

Helix is more on the forensics and incident response side than the networking or pen-testing side. Still a very useful tool to carry.

Helix is a customized distribution of the Knoppix Live Linux CD. Helix is more than just a bootable live CD. You can still boot into a customized Linux environment that includes customized linux kernels, excellent hardware detection and many applications dedicated to Incident Response and Forensics.

Get Helix Here

8. F.I.R.E

A little out of date, but still considered the strongest bootable forensics solution (of the open-source kind). Also has a few pen-testing tools on it.

FIRE is a portable bootable cdrom based distribution with the goal of providing an immediate environment to perform forensic analysis, incident response, data recovery, virus scanning and vulnerability assessment.

Get F.I.R.E Here

9. nUbuntu

nUbuntu or Network Ubuntu is fairly much a newcomer in the LiveCD arena as Ubuntu, on which it is based, is pretty new itself.

The main goal of nUbuntu is to create a distribution which is derived from the Ubuntu distribution, and add packages related to security testing, and remove unneeded packages, such as Gnome, Openoffice.org, and Evolution. nUbuntu is the result of an idea two people had to create a new distribution for the learning experience.

Get nUbuntu Here

10. INSERT Rescue Security Toolkit

A strong all around contender with no particular focus on any area (has network analysis, disaster recovery, antivirus, forensics and so-on).

INSERT is a complete, bootable linux system. It comes with a graphical user interface running the fluxbox window manager while still being sufficiently small to fit on a credit card-sized CD-ROM.

The current version is based on Linux kernel 2.6.12.5 and Knoppix 4.0.2

Get INSERT Here