23-09-2017, 09:22 AM
Backtrack was a Linux distribution that focused on security, based on the distribution of Knoppix Linux intended for digital forensics and the use of penetration testing. In March 2013, the offensive security team rebuilt BackTrack around the Debian distribution and released it under the name of Kali Linux.
History
The Backtrack distribution originated from the merger of two previously competing distributions that focused on penetration testing:
• WHAX: a Linux distribution based on Slax developed by Mati Aharoni, a security consultant. Earlier versions of WHAXX were called Whoppix and were based on Knoppix.
• Auditor Security Collection: a Knoppix-based Live CD developed by Max Moser that includes more than 300 tools organized in an easy-to-use hierarchy.
The overlap with the Auditor and WHAX in the purpose and collection of tools led in part to the merger.
Backtrack provided users with easy access to an extensive and comprehensive collection of security-related tools, from port scanners to security auditing. Support for Live CD and Live USB functionality allowed users to start Backtrack directly from portable media without installation, although permanent installation on the hard drive and network was also an option.
