Open Source Security Tools

Table of Contents

Open source security tools are software applications that are freely available for use and modification under an open source license. These tools are developed by a community of contributors, who collaborate to improve the functionality and security of the software. Open source security tools are used to enhance the security of computer systems, networks, and applications, and to detect and prevent cyber attacks.

Open source security tools offer several advantages over proprietary security tools, including cost savings, flexibility, and the ability to customize the software to meet specific security needs. However, open source security tools require technical expertise to install, configure, and maintain, and may have limited technical support compared to commercial security products.

This review’s open source cyber security software tools are organized:

KeePass

KeePass is a free and open source password manager that allows users to securely store and manage their passwords and other sensitive information. It uses strong encryption algorithms to protect user data, and requires a master password or key file to access the database. KeePass also includes features such as auto-type, password generation, and password quality checks, to help users create strong and unique passwords. KeePass is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile devices, and supports a wide range of file formats and plugins to enhance its functionality. KeePass is widely used by individuals and organizations as a secure and convenient way to manage their passwords and protect their sensitive information from cyber threats.

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a free and open source operating system designed for advanced penetration testing and digital forensics. It is based on Debian Linux and comes pre-installed with a wide range of security tools, including network scanners, vulnerability scanners, password crackers, and packet sniffers. Kali Linux provides a powerful and customizable environment for security professionals and researchers to conduct testing and analysis of computer systems and networks. It is widely used in the cybersecurity industry and by ethical hackers for security assessments and vulnerability testing. Kali Linux is updated regularly and provides users with access to the latest security tools and techniques to keep up with the evolving threat landscape.

Nikto

Nikto is a popular open source web server scanner that helps identify potential security vulnerabilities on web servers. It works by scanning a website and checking for known vulnerabilities such as outdated server software or default configurations that could leave the server vulnerable to attacks. Nikto performs multiple tests, including checks for out-of-date software, insecure configurations, and common issues like default login credentials or missing security headers. The tool is highly configurable and can be customized to perform specific tests or exclude certain tests. Nikto is often used by security professionals and ethical hackers to test web applications for potential vulnerabilities, and is regularly updated to keep up with emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

Metasploit Framework

Metasploit Framework is a free and open source penetration testing tool that allows security professionals and ethical hackers to simulate real-world cyber attacks on computer systems and networks. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for exploiting vulnerabilities in software and operating systems, and includes modules for remote code execution, privilege escalation, and post-exploitation activities. The Metasploit Framework can be used to test the security of computer systems, identify vulnerabilities and assess their severity, and develop customized exploit code to take advantage of those vulnerabilities. Metasploit Framework is highly configurable and can be used with a variety of operating systems and software platforms. It is widely used by security professionals, researchers, and ethical hackers for testing the security of computer systems and networks.

Some examples of open source security tools include:

Nmap

Nmap is a powerful network exploration and security auditing tool that allows users to scan and map networks, identify hosts and services, and analyze their security posture. Nmap uses various scanning techniques, including TCP, UDP, and ICMP, to discover and fingerprint network hosts and their open ports. Additionally, Nmap provides advanced features such as OS detection, version detection, scriptable interaction with the target system, and various output formats for reporting and analysis. It is widely used by security professionals and network administrators to assess and secure their systems, and it is available for various operating systems.

OSSEC

OSSEC (Open Source Security) is a free, open-source host-based intrusion detection system (HIDS) that provides real-time monitoring, alerting, and response to security events on a host system. OSSEC can detect a wide range of security issues, including malware infections, file changes, rootkit installations, login attempts, and more. It uses a client-server architecture with agents installed on each host system to monitor and report events to a central server for analysis and response. OSSEC provides various response mechanisms, including email alerts, syslog forwarding, and active response capabilities such as blocking IP addresses or killing processes. It is a valuable tool for system administrators and security professionals who need to monitor and protect their systems from cyber threats.

OpenVAS

OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is a free and open-source vulnerability scanner that helps to identify and manage vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. OpenVAS uses a network scanning engine to perform vulnerability scans on target systems, which includes checks for known vulnerabilities in various software and operating systems. OpenVAS provides a web-based interface for managing and viewing scan results and offers various reporting capabilities, including PDF reports and CSV exports. OpenVAS is widely used by security professionals and network administrators to assess the security posture of their systems, identify potential security weaknesses and take appropriate remediation actions.

Security Onion

Security Onion is a Linux distribution that serves as an all-in-one network security monitoring and intrusion detection system (NSM/IDS) platform. It includes a range of open-source security tools such as Suricata, Zeek, Snort, Bro, and OSSEC, and combines them with a user-friendly web interface for ease of use. Security Onion provides network traffic analysis, intrusion detection, packet capture, log management, and incident response capabilities to detect and respond to security threats in real-time. It supports both network-based and host-based monitoring and provides advanced features such as file carving and protocol decoding to analyze network traffic. Security Onion is widely used by security analysts, incident responders, and network administrators to monitor and protect their networks from cyber threats.

Wireshark

Wireshark is a free and open-source network protocol analyzer that enables users to capture and analyze network traffic in real-time. Wireshark allows users to inspect network packets and decode various protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, and many more. It offers a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides detailed information about network traffic, including packet header information, payloads, and even reconstructed files. Wireshark also offers various filtering and search capabilities that allow users to search for specific traffic patterns, protocols, or IP addresses. It is a valuable tool for network administrators, security professionals, and developers who need to troubleshoot network issues or investigate security incidents.

VeraCrypt

VeraCrypt is a free and open-source disk encryption software that provides a high level of security for protecting sensitive data on computer systems. It can encrypt entire hard drives, USB drives, and other storage devices using a variety of encryption algorithms, including AES, Serpent, and Twofish. VeraCrypt also supports various encryption modes, including XTS, LRW, and CBC. It provides a user-friendly interface for creating encrypted volumes and provides advanced features such as hidden volumes, keyfile support, and two-factor authentication. VeraCrypt is widely used by individuals, businesses, and government agencies to secure their data against theft or unauthorized access.