BlackArch Linux

BlackArch Linux is an open source distribution of Linux derived from the lightweight and powerful Arch Linux operating system and designed from the ground up to be used by security professionals for penetration testing tasks.

Distributed as Live DVDs for mainstream architectures

While the distribution can be installed on top of an existing Arch Linux installation (see below for details), the main attraction are the Live DVDs, which support both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64) hardware platforms.

Standard boot loader à la Arch Linux

Except for the fact that it uses a custom background image with the BlackArch Linux logo, the boot loader includes the same boot entries as in the standard Arch Linux ISO images, allowing the user to boot the operating system, boot an existing OS, run a memory test, view detailed hardware information, as well as to reboot or shutdown the PC.

Includes a wide range of graphical sessions

While the default graphical session is powered by Fluxbox, the distro also includes the i3, WMii, Spectrwm, awesome, dwm and Openbox window managers. Keep in mind though, that you must first log in using the root/blackarch username/password combination.

Pentesting tools, lots of pentesting tools

There are a plethora of pentesting tools included in this distribution, gathered under the BlackArch menu entry and organized in numerous categories, including anti-forensic, debuggers, crackers, decompilers, backdoors, fuzzers, keyloggers, proxy, spoofing, sniffers, malware, wireless and disassemblers.

Easily transform a standard Arch Linux installation into BlackArch Linux

In order to transform your standard Arch Linux distribution into BlackArch Linux, you will need to modify your /etc/pacman.conf file and add the following repository at the end:

[blackarch]

Server = /$repo/os/$arch

Replacing with the closest Arch Linux mirror to your location. Please visit the official website of the BlackArch Linux project for the PGP keys, which are needed if you want to install any of the BlackArch Linux packages.

Bottom line

All in all, BlackArch Linux is a very powerful penetration testing operating system that is always in sync with the latest packages from the official Arch Linux software repository. Besides BlackTrack and Kali Linux, which are based on Debian, you won’t find a better Arch Linux OS for pentesting.

What is new in this release:

• added more than 60 new tools
• added config files for i3-wm (BlackArch compatible))
• network stack tunings (sysctl + tuning.sh)
• added system/pacman clean-up script (consistency++)
• switched to terminus font (console, LXDM, WMs, x-terminals, ...)
• replaced second browser midori with chromium
• really, a lot of clean-ups and many tweaks!
• renamed ISO filename
• fixed awesome-wm quit/exit issue
• fixed system group and user failures
• fixed kernel module load failures
• update blackarch installer to version 0.7 (bugfix + many improvements)
• included linux kernel 4.16.12
• updated all blackarch tools and packages including config files
• updated all system packages
• updated all window manager menus (awesome, fluxbox, openbox)
• re-add multilib

What is new in version :

• update blackarch-installer to version 0.6.2 (most important change)
• included kernel 4.14.4
• updated lot's of blackarch tools and packages
• updated all blackarch tools and packages
• updated all system packages
• bugfix release! (see blackarch-installer)

What is new in version 2017.11.24:

• added more than 50 new tools
• various clean-ups and tweaks
• updated blackarch installer to version 0.6
• included kernel 4.13.12
• updated all blackarch tools and packages
• updated all system packages
• update all window manager menus (awesome, fluxbox, openbox)

What is new in version 2017.08.30:

• added more than 50 new tools
• bugfix: strap.sh (removed 'http:' for pgp keyserver)
• updated blackarch installer to version 0.5.2 (update: sha1 sum of strap.sh)
• include kernel 4.12.8
• updated a lot of blackarch tools
• updated all system packages
• update all window manager menus (awesome, fluxbox, openbox)

What is new in version 2017.06.14:

• bugfix release: perl libraries rebuilt due to perl upgrade
• include kernel 4.11.4

What is new in version 2017-03-01:

• add more than 50 new tools
• update blackarch installer to 0.3.3 (bugfixes)
• fix several tools (dependencies, installs)
• include kernel 4.9.11
• updated all system packages
• updated all blackarch tools
• updated menu entries for window managers (awesome, fluxbox, openbox)

What is new in version 2017-01-28:

• add 20 new tools
• update blackarch installer to 0.3.2 (bugfixes)
• fix shadow permissions (thx to ldionmarcil)
• fix f*cking ruby tools (wpscan, metasploit, etc.)
• include linux kernel 4.9.6
• add vmware support (installer)
• updated locale.gen list
• updated all system packages
• updated all blackarch tools
• updated menu entries for windows managers (awesome, fluxbox, openbox)

What is new in version 2016.12.29:

• include linux kernel 4.8.13
• include new installer version 0.3.1
• updated all blackarch tools

What is new in version 2016.08.30:

• Bugfix: strap.sh
• include linux kernel 4.7.2
• updated BlackArch Linux installer
• updated all blackarch tools
• updated all system packages

What is new in version 2016.04.28: