Top 2 must-have FREE tools for hackers and security researchers

Here are two must-have free tools that every hacker must know and have

Hacking is one of the most abused term in the tech world today. Hacking was a term that originated in 1990s and is associated with altering to the code to suit a particular objective. By definition, hacking is the practice of altering the features of a system, to accomplish a goal which is not in scope of the purpose of its creation.

“Hacker” was a term used to denote a skilled programmer who had competency in machine code and operating systems. Such individuals were proficient in solving unsatisfactory problems and often interpreted competitors’ code to work as intelligence agents for small software companies.

Many young enthusiasts want to learn hacking and take up hacking and security research as a career choice. The first step to being a good hacker is to know all that is happening in the security world. Cybersecurity conferences such as Black Hat, DefCon, BSides and the Chaos Communication Conferencecan provide the latest security research, demonstrations and theoretical knowledge for you to move forward.

Next step would be to enroll for online certification programs. One way to ensure you have proper training, Read this report to know how to become a better security researcher. Next, come the tools. Having knowledge of these two must-have hacking tools is necessary for every hacker and security researcher.

Metasploit

Metasploit, which has been labeled the Attacker’s Playbook by many in the cybersecurity community, offers a rich library of exploits you can run on a number of different servers. You can use Metasploit to stimulate various steps of APT attacks so that in future you can spot the attack paths and vulnerabilities that might have otherwise allowed major data breaches.

However, before you can start using Metasploit to its fullest potential, you will need specific training. Offensive Security offers a free training program for the toolkit called Metasploit Unleashed.

Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is another such must-have hacking tool used by hackers to emulate real network threats. You can use the tools within Cobalt Strike to conduct penetration testing. The toolkit’s website says the software includes functionality for:

• Network reconnaissance
• Attack packages for Java Applet, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows, website cloning and more
• Spear phishing
• Collaboration within the penetration team
• Post exploitation (execute PowerShell scripts, log keystrokes, take screenshots, download files, and spawn other payloads)
• Covert communications to evade security systems
• Browser pivoting to avoid two-factor authentication
• Reporting and logging to analyze the results of the exercise

While Metasploit offers a collection of exploits for hackers to use, the tools and functionality in Cobalt Strike helps hackers gather information and move laterally without exploits. With the combination of an exploit toolkit and a set of tools reconnaissance and lateral movement, you can successfully carry out pentesting and uncover even the deepest layer of vulnerabilities.