Setting up essential pentesting tools

In this section, we’ll go over setting up our pentesting environment by updating system software packages and installing the tools required to follow along. Most of the tools needed will already be installed in Kali, so we’ll only need to install a few more software packages.

Update the package manager

Your first step when using a new Linux installation should be updating packages. As stated earlier, I’ll be using Kali Linux in all demonstrations. Kali is based on the Debian Linux distribution, which uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT) package manager. At its core, apt streamlines software management. It automates the process of retrieving, configuring, and installing software packages from predefined repositories. This automation not only saves time but also ensures that software dependencies are resolved without manual intervention.

Running sudo apt update refreshes the local database of available packages and their...