For those who do not know Kali Linux is an open source project that is maintained and funded by Offensive Security, a provider of world-class information security training and penetration testing services. In addition to Kali Linux, Offensive Security also maintains the Exploit Database and the free online course, Metasploit Unleashed. Kali was originally released in 2013 and remains a go to for security professionals and hackers alike.
The Q4 update has released for 2020! There are some changes. What’s different with this release since 2020.3 in August 2020 is:
- ZSH is the new default shell – They said it was happening last time, Now it has. ZSH. Is. Now. Default.
- Bash shell makeover – It may not function like ZSH, but now Bash looks like ZSH.
- Partnership with tools authors – They are teaming up with byt3bl33d3r.
- Message at login – Proactively pointing users to resources.
- AWS image refresh – Now on GovCloud. Includes Kali’s default (command line) tools again. And there is a new URL.
- Packaging Guides – Want to start getting your tool inside of Kali? This should help.
- New Tools & Updates – New Kernel and various new tools and updates for existing ones, as well as setting Proxychains 4 as default.
- NetHunter Updates – New NetHunter settings menu, select from different boot animations, and persistent Magisk.
- Win-KeX 2.5 – New “Enhanced Session Mode” brings Win-KeX to ARM devices
- Vagrant & VMware – Kali now support VMware users who use Vagrant.
One of the largest changes is the change to ZSH. The Z shell known as zsh is a shell for Linux/Unix-like operating systems. It has similarities to other shells in the sh (Bourne shell) family, such as as bash and ksh, but it provides many advanced features and powerful command line editing options, such as enhanced Tab completion. I am sure I will write more about Z Shell but until then you can read more from here:
http://zsh.sourceforge.net/Intro/intro_toc.html
Kali is a powerful distribution and I recommend using it for all pen testers and security analysts alike. They warned us that ZSH will be the new shell of choice while most of it resembles BASH we all have something to learn! Debian distributions all are switching to this shell one by one.
Happy hacking! Can you hack it?
JT