The world is going all the way digital now; with this, cyber security becomes a headache. As experts fear more cyber security breaches in the coming days, business organizations must be aware of cyber security vulnerabilities. Evaluation of the security system, including software, hardware, and all networks, is crucial, and penetration testing tools efficiently do the security testing.
It is impossible to build a 100% secure security system. Penetration test software tools identify the potential vulnerabilities in a system, invade them and exploit the weaknesses.
There are numerous penetration testing applications available. The best network penetration testing tools are chosen based on the work method.
15 best penetration testing tools
Kali Linux
One of the most efficient open-source penetration testing tools, it has multi-platform features, and security professionals can customize their ISO according to their situations. It offers advanced tests on computers, mobiles, virtual machines, subsystems, docker, bare metals, and ARM.
Metasploit
It offers security support both in open-source and commercial frameworks. One can have a command line, and graphical user interface in both versions. There are several customization options to choose from according to requirements.
SQLmap
It is an excellent open-source pen testing tool that detects and exploits SQL injections. It is a cross-platform test engine that supports SQL injection attacks running so that the time spent on testing is limited.
Intruder
It does not detect a security system’s weakness but provides remediation too. It’s free for thirty days and then requires payment, and the tool has multiple features.
BeFF
Beff is one of the best penetration testing tools for web browser-focused tests. It offers an understanding of potential hacking and how to fix it.
Acunetix
Acunetix is one of the best network penetration testing tools, which is fully automated. It has utilities to scan more than seven thousand vulnerabilities. Testing includes exposed databases, SQL injections, and XSS, among others. It shows the seriousness of the vulnerability, like low, medium, or high.
Burp Suite
It automates scalable scanning of web applications and enhances manual tests. Testers can add various plugins and extensions in penetration. It offers proxy and reconnaissance tools too.
Nmap
Nmap is a penetration test software that helps monitor a network very closely and audit network security thoroughly. It provides information on servers, hosts, IPs, firewalls, and packet filters using graphical and command line interfaces.
W3AF
It is a python-driven test solution that audits web applications and frameworks for security vulnerabilities. It works simply to test networks, provide details on developer contributions and understand risk scopes.
WireShark
It is one of the most useful multi-platform penetration testing applications offering open source support and service through webinars, documentation, and video tutorials. WireShark uses handy features like live capture, VoIP, and offline analysis to analyze threats.
Invicta
It is a web application-based, accurate, automatic, and effortless security checker. Invicti offers proof-based scanning for applications, web services, and websites. After Invicti scans a system, there’s no need to verify manually.
John the Ripper
It’s probably the best password-cracking tool available. It finds weak passwords to detect potential vulnerabilities and is used for security and compliance purposes.
Nessus
It is the perfect tool for companies reluctant to use open source pen testers. It scans and detects every possible vulnerability.
Zed Attack Proxy
It is a free scanner and weakness detector for any web application, offering a variety of activities on most platforms. It is very beginner-friendly too.
Aircrack
It is one of the wireless open-source penetration testing tools, suits all platforms, and provides various activities such as intrusion detection and fragmentation attack.
Conclusion
Choosing any penetration testing tool will enable a secure environment for any business and its customers. Here are some other pen testing tools that can be relied entirely upon.
- Ettercap
- Aircrack-ng
- Cain & Abel
- THC Hydra
- Arachni
- NIKTO
- Indusface WAS
- Nexway
