OWASP Mantra-OS

OWASP Mantra-OS is an open-source, completely free and very secure distribution of Linux derived from the world’s most popular free operating system, Ubuntu, and designed from the ground up with penetration testing and secure computing in mind.

Available only for modern, 64-bit computers

This Ubuntu remix is available only for modern, 64-bit (x86_64/amd64) computers. It’s distributed as a Live DVD ISO image or approximately 2GB in size, which must be written to either a blank DVD disc or a USB thumb drive of 2GB or higher capacity.

Boot prompt à la Ubuntu Linux

The boot prompt of OWASP Mantra-OS is identical with the one used on the main Ubuntu release, designed to start the live system in about seven seconds from the moment the user boots the DVD disc or USB thumb from the BIOS of a PC, prompting users with the ability to enter the live session or install the OS.

Pressing any keyboard key during the 7-second boot timeout, will allow you to select a different language for the live environment (default is English), boot the live session directly, start the graphical installer, check the integrity of the bootable medium (only if using a DVD media), run a memory test or boot from the first disk.

Welcome to the Mantra desktop

Please note that the OS has been designed with security in mind, which means that you will be dropped to a login screen, where you’ll have to log in with the “mantra-os” username and without any password.

The Mantra desktop is unique, providing users with a transparent taskbar on the upper side of the screen and a main menu à la ElementaryOS. It is actually a highly customized Xfce desktop environment.

Includes a wide range of open source applications for penetration testing

As expected from such a distro, OWASP Mantra-OS includes a wide range of open source applications for penetration testing tasks. Some of them can be accessed directly from the taskbar, others from within the main menu.

Bottom line

In conclusion, OWASP Mantra-OS is a great open-source operating system designed with security in mind, providing users with some of the coolest tools for penetration testing operations.