Configuring your hacker shell

If you’re following along using Kali Linux or macOS, note that your Terminal shell uses Zsh by default instead of Bash. Zsh has more features (such as better tab completion and theme support) but Bash is more widespread and standard. Bash has been around since the late 80s, making it a veteran in the shell world. It’s the default on most Linux distributions and macOS (up until Catalina, where Zsh took over). Bash’s longevity means it’s extremely stable and well-supported.

Zsh, on the other hand, came a bit later. It’s known for its improvements over Bash, including better interactive use and more powerful scripting capabilities.

You can determine which shell is configured by entering the echo $SHELL command in your terminal. Almost all code shown in this book will work in both Bash and Zsh, except where noted. In my day-to-day pentesting activities, I rarely notice any difference. However, if you want to change...