Top 9 penetration testing operating systems

Below is the list of Top 9 Operating Systems focused on Penetration and Hacking,The Operating Systems are judged on these Criteria : Number Of Package's, Availability of tutorials,how often new editions come out, popularity and user experience. I have personally used each of these tools, and i must say they do live up to their name and reputation.

One Operating System of note:
Damn Vulnerable Linux.


Well this is new, Damn Vulnerable Linux (DVL) is everything a good Linux distribution isn't; Its developers have spent hours stuffing it with broken, ill-configured, outdated, and exploitable software that makes it vulnerable to attacks. Based on Slackware, DVL isn't built to run on your desktop – it’s a learning tool for security students. So put it on your old PC and start your hacking carrier.
NOTE: This is not a distro full of security tools and how-to-hack apps. This is one of the best tools to use as a target to test your skills against. The people who developed this have sense discontinued the project, but you can still find ISO's and virtual images of this product for your own use.
NOTE: ITT Technical Institute students are given a copy of this on a virtual machine with their server farm structure for ISS classes. It is labeled as one of their Linux VM's

With that, here it is:

Number 9 : Samurai Web Testing Framework (WTF).


The Samurai Web Testing Framework is a live Linux environment that has been pre-configured to function as a web pen-testing environment. The CD contains the best of the open source and free tools that focus on testing and attacking websites. Developed by Kevin Johnson [security analyst] and Justin Searle [IT Security Architect for JetBlue Airways] specially for hacking web based application and websites. Bad thing it is only available as Live DVD, and its one of more difficult distro's to install. Interested ? then check out their page Here.

Number 8 : Back Box Linux.

BackBox is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It has been developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. Designed to be fast, easy to use and provide a minimal yet complete desktop environment, its own software repositories, are always being updated to the latest stable version of the most used and best known ethical hacking tools. Check it out Here.

Number 7 : Gnacktrack :


Ahh, gnackTrack is no-doubt the best looking Pentesting operating system ever,and this is the best for beginner hackers,it has a good software library,GnackTrack is a Live (and installable) Linux distribution based on Ubuntu.The latest version "GnackTrackR6" is gaining a lot of popularity and you should try it out if you are interested.Official Site Here.

Number 6 : Network Security Toolkit (NST).

The Network Security Toolkit (NST) is Based of Fedora (not debian ) and The main intent of developing this toolkit was to provide the network security administrator with a comprehensive set of Open Source Network Security Tools.This Distro has a whole new level of Graphical Interface and damm it looks good.Get this beautiful yet dangerous OS Here.

Number 5 : Live Hacking Operating System.


Live Hacking DVD is a Linux distribution packed with tools and utilities for ethical hacking, penetration testing and countermeasure verification. Based on Ubuntu this distribution comes in two forms. A full Linux desktop including a graphical user interface (GNOME) and tools and utilities..Another in live DVD form.Plus Point : This distro has a huge guide on hacking on its official site.Get this Distro Here

Number 4 :DEFT Digital Evidence & Forensic Toolkit.

DEFT 7 is based on the new Kernel 3 (Linux side) and the DART (Digital Advanced Response Toolkit) with the best freeware Windows Computer Forensic tools. It’s a new concept of Computer Forensic system that use LXDE as desktop environment.It is a very professional and stable system that includes an excellent hardware detection and the best free and open source applications dedicated to Incident Response, Cyber Intelligence and Computer Forensics.Get this Swiss Army Knife of the PC world Here

Number 3 : BlackBuntu Linux.

Blackbuntu is distribution for penetration testing which was specially designed for security training students and practitioners of information security. It's currently being built using the xubuntu 12.04.This edition has a large software library and nearly 100000's tutorials flying on YouTube and other sites. Blackbuntu runs on almost any PC,new or old,because of its less requirements.The Main developer,Krit Kadnok says "It's created in our own time as a hobby."Get Blackbuntu Here.

Number 2 : BugTraq Operating System.

Bugtraq system offers the most comprehensive distribution, optimal, and stable with automated services manager in real time. Bugtraq is available with XFCE, Gnome and KDE based on Ubuntu, Debian and OpenSuse. The systems are available in 11 different languages. Bugtraq has the widest range of tools and a whole lot of tutorials on the net,besides that,This distro has a sick interface.Get this Here.

Number 1 : BackTrack Operating System.

BackTrack is an Operating system which is especially made for Hackers,ethical Hackers,Penetration testers etc.This operating system includes all the security assessments and features till date.This distro got it all,Slick Interface,Powerful yet latest tools,high compatibly large software library,tons of tutorial.you name it.This is used by FBI,NSA and most of the hackers.So why don't you try it ? Get Version 5r3 from Here.