Kali Linux for your smartphone

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Most of the functionality in various areas somehow "moves" to smartphones. The trend was not spared by the Kali Linux distribution, which is well-known among security specialists, with the help of which IT systems are checked for vulnerability. The OS contains programs for conducting tests in various areas.

Many people dreamed of installing Kali Linux on their phone without long mazes and loopholes. Therefore, the same developer-Offensive Security has released an open source distribution that can be downloaded on Android – Kali Linux NetHunter.

Kali Linux NetHunter is mainly used for testing network security and system vulnerabilities. It contains a set of tools for security analysis, such as port scanners, tools for hacking Wi-Fi, web servers, tools for intercepting traffic, and much more. It can also be used to test the security of applications and IoT devices.

How to install Kali NetHunter on Android​

This is actually the same Kali Linux, only on your phone in your pocket. After installing Kali Linux on your phone, you will have access to a wide range of different applications for penetration testing, scanning surrounding networks, selecting passwords, and more. If you have worked with Kali before, it will be easy to get used to it.

Sergey Polunin
Head of the Infrastructure IT Protection Group at Gazinformservis

NetHunter is an Android-based operating system and is installed on a specific list of devices, which can be specified on the manufacturer's website. Now you can install NetHunter via termux, and also get access to the necessary tools.

But NetHunter cannot be called a firmware in the full sense of the word. Rather, it is a software add-on that allows you to use some of the tools of the full PC version.

NetHunter can be installed on the device's standard firmware and on several custom ones, such as CyanogenMod and LineageOS. It is best to use a standard kernel.

Ikromkhodzhaev Ileshodzha
Fullstack developer

To install Kali Linux NetHunter on Android, you must first get root access on your device. Then you can download the Kali Linux NetHunter image and install it on your device. There are several ways to install NetHunter.

Make sure to back up all your device data before starting the installation. During the installation process, all your data may be permanently deleted.

Before starting the installation, you need to remove the manufacturer's restrictions and get superuser rights and install CM or TWRP. To get root rights, you need to study the information specifically for the device used, since the process will differ for different brands. This information is publicly available on thematic forums. You won't be able to install Kali NetHunter on any phone. A list of devices on which you can install Kali Linux NetHunter can be found on the manufacturer's website.

After you download the Kali Linux Nethunter image and install the Termux app on your device, run the following commands:
  • pkg install wget;
  • wget -O install-NetHunter-termux https://offs.ec/2MceZWr;
  • chmod +x install-NetHunter-termux;
  • ./install-NetHunter-termux.
  • follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

As with any other highly specialized operating system, installing and using Kali Linux NetHunter can cause a number of problems, both related to compatibility and security risks. Therefore, it is worth considering the possible risks in advance.

The following issues may occur when installing and using Kali Linux NetHunter:
  • compatibility issues with your Android device;
  • restricted access to some features if you don't have root access on your device;
  • risk of violating laws on the use of security testing programs without the permission of the system or network owner;
  • the risk of infecting your device with viruses and other malware.

Sergey Polunin
Head of the Infrastructure IT Protection Group at Gazinformservis

The main problems during installation are attempts to install the OS on unsupported hardware. Although there are now many different ways to access Kali Linux tools, you still need to carefully read the installation instructions specifically for your use case.

When using Kali Linux NetHunter, the main risk is that most of the tools presented in Kali Linux are designed for pentest, that is, practical verification of the security of any information system. Only the owner's consent must be obtained for the pentest. In all other cases, the use of all these tools may lead to undesirable consequences, up to criminal liability.

If not him, then who?​

At the moment, Kali Linux NetHunter is the most popular product in its niche, and Kali Linux dominates the market for pentest solutions. But many people are interested in the question-what other tools exist with similar functionality?

Sergey Polunin
Head of the Infrastructure IT Protection Group at Gazinformservis

In addition to Kali Linux NetHunter, there is a fairly well-known Andrax, which allows you to do about the same thing, although the list of tools may not be so large. Well, in fact, no one forbids installing the necessary tools through the terminal emulator termux. In this case, you will need high qualifications to solve potential problems, but you can only supply the tools that you really need.

Experts note that, in terms of availability and functionality, Kali Linux NetHunter has several competitors:
  1. PentestBox is a penetration testing platform that is used on Windows.
  2. Parrot Security OS is an operating system designed for security testing. It can be installed both on a PC and on some mobile devices.
  3. BlackArch is a Linux distribution for security testing. It contains more than 2500 tools for penetration testing and security analysis.

Despite its uniqueness, Kali Linux NetHunter has a number of analogues that can replace it in some areas. But no one can make a full-fledged competition at the moment.

Result​

In a number of aspects, PCs have long lost the "palm tree" to portable handheld devices, which may be inferior in functionality and power, but are always at hand.

Kali Linux NetHunter already offers quite extensive functionality for users of Android devices. Its main advantage over its closest competitors is the optimal ratio in terms of ease of use to functionality.

The second important advantage of NetHunter is its native interface, compared to relevant solutions. This criterion is especially important when it comes to novice specialists or specialists in related fields who do not have sufficient knowledge and experience to work with more complex tools.
 
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