Setting up a Python environment for offensive tasks

Let us get our hands dirty and open a terminal; we will look at how to set up a Python environment on multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. We will also go through how to use Python Virtual Environments (venv) to effectively manage dependencies and isolate projects.

Setting up Python on Linux

Diving into the Linux platform, a favorite among cybersecurity professionals for its open source flexibility, you will often find Python pre-installed. However, it is crucial to verify that you have the correct Python version and that all necessary tools are set up. The following steps are designed to help you gear up your Python environment for offensive security operations on Linux:

1. Open a terminal and type the following command to check whether Python is installed and to view its version:

   python3 --version

   Ensure that you have Python 3.x installed (where x is the minor version).

2. If Python is not already...