Comparison of Linux Distributions (Kali vs Debian) (week 13)

   Let's firstly understand what exactly Linux is. Linux is an operating system likewise the others, Windows, macOS, BeOS, and so on. As an operating system, it manages connections between the hardware and software. To apply to every type of user, Linux has many distributions. Time to explore 2 of those famous distributions, Kali and Debian.

    Like the other Linux distributions, Kali Linux is also an open-source operating system. It is Debian-based and mainly created for Security Auditing and Penetration Testing. So, it can be said that this Linux distribution is addressed to security professionals. As it is a powerful OS for fulfilling information security tasks, it has many tools (over 600) included for such reasons. There are a few thousand free software packages contained in Kali Linux's main section. However, there is also a non-free section in Kali that involves non-open source tools. In the case of building a derivative of Kali, and importing these non-free packages from Debian, the license of each non-free package needs to be reviewed individually and most importantly, the imported non-free packages can be redistributed. As expected, the Kali community mostly consists of security specialists and hobbyists. Despite the fact that Kali is a distribution of Linux targeted at Penetration Testing, it only provides particular tools to do it, but nothing like guidelines of those tools' usage or support for penetration testing. However, there are community forums, blogs, channels, and websites to contribute to the users in the manner of using the tools. 

   Now, let's learn about the Debian distribution. As Kali and the other distributions, Debian is also an open-source distribution/ OS. While Kali is dealing with penetration testing, Debian mostly addresses the organizations, developers, and other end-users. The foremost reason for making Debian such a useful OS is stability and security. Moreover, Debian is considered to be a base for the other distributions, for ex. Kali. Debian runs also some other devices like Embedded ones and IoT. It contains a wide range of software packages - 59K for today. Debian is the first distribution of Linux having installed a package management system. Unlike Kali, Debian has a special way of support - Mailing List. Thanks to this feature, users around the world, are able to contact the developers through the mail. Apart from this, forums are also a preferred way of getting support from the developers. Likewise Kali, Debian also provides free redistribution. The licenses should let derived works and modifications. Moreover, the distribution should also be allowed within original software and the same terms.

REFERENCE:

1. Documentation, W. (2022). What is Kali Linux? | Kali Linux Documentation. Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.kali.org/docs/introduction/what-is-kali-linux/

2. Documentation, K. (2022). Kali Linux Open Source Policy | Kali Linux Documentation. Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.kali.org/docs/policy/kali-linux-open-source-policy/

3. Linux, C. (2022). Community and Support | Kali Linux. Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.kali.org/community/

4. Debian -- Reasons to use Debian. (2022). Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.debian.org/intro/why_debian

5. 1.3. What is Debian GNU/Linux?. (2022). Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.debian.org/releases/jessie/amd64/ch01s03.html.en

6. Debian -- Support. (2022). Retrieved 21 April 2022, from https://www.debian.org/support