rngauf/kali-linux-learning

# Kali Linux Learning A compact reference library for learning Kali Linux and penetration-testing fundamentals — written for absolute beginners and structured so you can read it in one sitting or use it as lookup material during a CTF. ## What's inside | Doc | What it covers | |---|---| | **[beginner_concepts.md](beginner_concepts.md)** | What Kali is, what pentesting is, the phases of an engagement, what a CTF is, terminal basics, sudo, common file locations | | **[kali_tools_reference.md](kali_tools_reference.md)** | Quick reference for the tools that ship with Kali — nmap, gobuster, sqlmap, hydra, metasploit, nikto, john, hashcat, wireshark, burp, etc. With minimum-viable commands you'll actually use | | **[pentesting_methodology.md](pentesting_methodology.md)** | The standard phases: reconnaissance → scanning → enumeration → exploitation → privilege escalation → post-exploitation → reporting. Includes which tool fits which phase. | | **[common_workflows.md](common_workflows.md)** | Step-by-step walkthroughs of common engagements: external recon, web-app testing, internal network enumeration, password attacks | ## How to use this **If you're brand new:** Read `beginner_concepts.md` cover to cover, then skim `pentesting_methodology.md`. Don't try to memorize the tool reference — just know it exists. **If you've done one CTF:** Read `pentesting_methodology.md` carefully — having the phases clear in your head is what separates random tool-spam from a real methodology. Use `common_workflows.md` as your starting checklist for the next box. **Studying for OSCP / eJPT:** All four docs map to the methodology these exams test. The `kali_tools_reference.md` is intentionally minimum-viable — the exam is about workflow, not flags. ## What's NOT in here - Specific exploit code (use [Exploit-DB](https://www.exploit-db.com)) - The most recent vulnerabilities (use [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov)) - Tutorials for specific CTF boxes (use the platforms' own write-ups) - Setup instructions for Kali itself (use the official [Kali docs](https://www.kali.org/docs/)) ## License CC BY-SA 4.0 — share and adapt freely with attribution. Educational content benefits from being copied around.